My roommate is finally gone...

[Roon]

It took 6 weeks but my family was able to get him out of my basement. The Colorado Aids Project is paying for a motel room until he can get financed.

Every roommate I have ever had since I started out on my own at 18, ended up not paying rent after the first couple of months. Every last one of them. I always pay rent because if (I) didn't pay rent, I would be out on the streets.

I am never going to help a drug addict again. Gary was homeless and sick when I took him in, but I said NO DRUGS IN THE HOUSE! He broke that rule his first couple of weeks. I also had a rule of no vistors. He broke that rule quickly too. Because of his friends I lost my toilet all last winter and lost my swamp cooler all last summer. They were both stripped down for copper. I had to use a bucket to flush the toilet all winter and I just threw away my swamp cooler. Another one of his friends needed a cellphone battery for his phone because the one he had wasn't holding a charge. He stole my phone for the battery. I used to think it was pointless stealing cell phones..but if you need a new battery,it would be worth it to steal a phone and take the battery. Cell batteries are very expensive.

Then we were home invaded by another one of his buddies who wanted an electric bike he had. They kicked in the back door and took the bike. Now I can't lock my back door to outside...but I can lock the door on the porch..so someone can come in, but all they can do is going down to the basement.

That was the last straw..but it took 6 weeks after the home invasion until last night to get him out of here. The sense of relief keeps flooding over me everytime I remember that he is really gone.

The back door was his door going downstairs and he had a lot of foot traffic coming and going so I am still a little fearful of that. It was all under my nose. You can't see the backdoor from the living room.

I am going to put a "KEEP OUT" and "NO TRESSPASSING" sign on the back door for awhile so the people who don't know he's gone, get the message. I am also going to borrow a dog for a bit to keep watch.

Whew I am so glad that is all over. Never again, I don't care how homeless or sick you are, I am not taking anyone in.
Had to rant! :rant:

[seaker]

1. Good for you!

:fistbump:

[Maraya1969]

2. I hear you. I really do. The best roommate/house mate I had came from

Craig's list and was a student at University near here. After that I had an alcoholic who stole my Xanex and caused all sorts of Hell here. He would not leave either so finally me, my mom and my step dad knocked on the door, (he didn't answer) and then went in. He was hiding in there so we said we were going to call the police and bamb! that got him moving.

The place is still filthy because I have a hard time cleaning because of my back. But I truly know about that relief feeling.

[Roon]

4. My place is falling apart and needs a lot of work

my Uncle lives in the upstairs apartment and we are in the process of swapping units. He is very handy and can give this place the TLC it needs while the upstairs apartment is sound. It's a two bedroom with a gally for a kitchenette. Plus he has dogs and is going to put in a doggy door,I will feel much safer up there.

I was ranting in my OP, but I am not going to write off roommates forever. Once I get the upstairs all cleaned out and cozy,I may take in a lady roommate, perhaps a lesbian with a job. I could really use the money every month.

[Maraya1969]

33. Also I would advise you to put up security lights, especially at the entrance

where all his "friends" used to come in. Nothing stops someone out to do no good like a big bright light suddenly shining in their face. I have them on all sides of my house now and I use the compact fluorescent that use only 1/10 energy of a regular bulb.

[ThomCat]

3. I am so sorry you had to go through all of that.

:hug:

I hope you now have security and sanity in your home. :)

[Roon]

6. Thanks Thom..

I do now, like I said..I feel a wave of relief all the time now. I'll feel really good when I settle into my flat upstairs. My kitties are going to love it up there, there is an window that goes out onto the roof of the rest of the house. But it's too high up for them to go anywhere else.:-)

[Arugula Latte]

5. Wow. What a nightmare.

You should post a "Beware of Dog" sign, too, and leave it up even when you don't have a dog there.

[Roon]

8. Argula! It was terrible!

I would wake up at night and see strangers in my bathroom using the shower or using the toilet. It was just scary.Good idea about the "Beware of Dog" sign...I'll put that sign on the back gate.

[Arugula Latte]

9. Nothing to add but ...

:hug:

[Roon]

11. Thanks!

(squeezes hard!) I needed that after the hell I just went through.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. My dear Roon!

I cannot tell you how very relieved I am to hear your great news!

I've been following your saga, and what a horrifying story it has been...

I've just put the fates on notice that you are to have NOTHING but the best roommates from here on out!

:hug:

[Roon]

10. That is why I am going to try women roommates

Gay,straight,bi,etc. I don't care,if they go to school and/or have a job that would be a plus! I might use the place as like a "fallout" shelter and only take people short term. I don't know yet.

[no name no slogan]

12. and get references

You stand a better chance of getting a good roommate if you can get somebody who has some history of being a good roommate, or a previous history of paying rent on time.

[Roon]

15. Oh, great idea, i forgot

I grew up in the rental business and worked for my parents with property managment.I did evictions, repaints, refurbish after move outs..i forgot about the references part!

I will say this, I am going to SCREEN the heck out of potential roommates. I should be a hot item on craigslist because I am going to let them smoke and have one small pet. The area I live in is really jumping and anyone would like a chance to live here for so cheap.

[no name no slogan]

26. Good for you, Roon!

I have a feeling your next roommate experience will be MUCH better than the last :thumbsup:

And it's definitely a landlord's market right now. People are not buying homes (or they're losing homes) and they're looking for some place to rent until this economy sorts itself out. You're in a great spot. :D

[Roon]

27. Thanks no name, no slogan

Last year my Mother rented her five bedroom..3bath house for $2,300 a month!! Her tenant is a brain surgeon with three kids divorcing from his wife. His wife lives in the million dollar home that they owned and he is getting shafted. It was better to rent than to buy otherwise she would take that too! It's incredible! I worked hard on getting that house ready to rent. The previous tenants lived there for 9 years. I just don't get it, why spend so much on rent when you can BUY a house for so much cheaper? Even if you are divorcing?

I grew up in this house. It means a lot to me.:-)...One day I hope to move back there and get my old room back and live with my parents.

[Roon]

28. P.S.

My Mother kept up the payments on this house with a $3.35 an hour job, foodstamps, and child support. If my Father never paid child support, she would have lost this house 30 years ago.

[no name no slogan]

34. I have a soft spot for single mothers

I was raised by one myself. :) Nobody works harder or contributes more to this country, IMHO. :hi:

[Roon]

35. Thanks Dear!

The only complaint that I have had in that era..."Why powerded milk?"..."I didn't have a clue!"

[NMDemDist2]

13. good news finally

:hug:

[Roon]

16. Thanks NM dem

It's a great day!

[quakerboy]

14. I am sorry for your rough experience

It makes me so thankful for all the excellent roommates I have had over time. I have been lucky enough that the balance of who does how much of the dishes is the biggest issue Ive ever had.

I maybe its like credit. The best roommates (risk and rate of return wise) are the ones who don't really need it? I dunno. I hope you have a turn for the better in your future housing arraignments

[Roon]

17. Thanks Quaker

My biggest problem is I am too nice of a guy and hate throwing people out on their ass. One of my biggest fears is to find myself all of a sudden without a place to live.

[quakerboy]

20. I hate how so many of us

are living on that edge where one wrong turn could see us without a home.

[Roon]

22. Finding yourself homeless would be terrible....

esp. when you have pets. :-( Gary didn't have any pets, I hasten to add..

[foxfeet]

18. Sorry you had to go through that crap.

Relax and enjoy your re-found freedom. Now spend your energy taking care of yourself, for a change. You need it and it's not going to make you some kind of heartless monster; you don't have to prove your compassion credentials to anyone.:hi:

[Roon]

23. Thanks foxfeet

your post really helped me!

[amitten]

19. Always stand your ground, Roon!

Some people don't deserve the help they get. Someone truly in need would never bite the hand that feeds them in such a way.

[Roon]

24. I rent this place from my Grandparents really cheap

This place would get the triple amount of rent that I am paying, if it was fixed up. I only asked Gary for half the rent and I'll be damned if he didn't pay that half the time. In exchange he got free heat,cable,broadband,water,food, etc. He could have went and got on food stamps but that would have interfered with his drugging. So he never went. He never even took care of himself,he was wasting away and was covered with spots from fungus and stuff. (aids)..That was rough too, because he was really a nice guy..he just took advantage of me. This may sound terrible, but he needs to go back to jail again. He was so cleaned up after serving 4 months last time. I am ranting again. I am just giddy that he is gone and I'm in a good mood! :hi:

[amitten]

29. Congratulations--you deserve the break!

You went above and beyond for that guy.

[Roon]

31. I like to think I side..

Even if I was a druggie, I would keep my roommate's interests at the bare min!...secure...he didn't even do that. He blew his money on drugs every month! Not anymore though, he is gone and he knows it.

[Fire Walk With Me]

21. My roommate is finally gone...

Mr. Gone?

[Roon]

25. LOL eom

[Fire Walk With Me]

30. ..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mr._Gone

[Roon]

32. Thanks for the Fire Walk

Nice link..The song "He's gone" by the dead was going though my head..But this is a nice alternative!!!