Letters to the Editor
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The thing about not living near your landlord. . .
When I moved back to L.A. 7 years ago, I was lucky enough to rent a little house for $750.00 per month which is attached to my landlord's house next door. I am still paying $750.00 per month and, except for paying to upgrade the electrical and put in 3 air conditioners, (About a $4,000 investment.) my landlord always has his sons take care of repairs whenever I ask if I can hire someone to fix things.
While the landlord rule may be a good one, living next door to my landlord gave me the opportunity to get back on my feet financially in a serious way. This is clearly not on point, but I felt I needed to say it.
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But it's for the bayyybeeee!!!
Oh my fucking god, talk about entitlement breeders from hell! These people are awful! "We have a bayyyyybeeee now; so we're kicking you out of your own apartment so we can be a famblee together." WHAT THE FUCKING FUCK?!
And yes, LW, you need to grow a spine, too, but that doesn't change the fact that they're manipulative breeder assholes who need to be told that NO, BABY DOESN'T MAKE RIGHT, and they need to get the hell out of YOUR home.
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I'm going to reiterate
Because I really don't understand why Cary's advice was so bad, and why at least SOME people are saying, hey, you're a good person, just cut your losses and move out.
It's not about whether the LW was taken advantage of or not, and it's not about what kind of person the LW is, or what kind of people his roommates are.
Either the LW is ON the lease (in which case he's liable until the end of the lease) or he's not (in which case he should just move out). Personally, no matter what, I'd move out--but only AFTER I had 1) give the proper notice to the landlord (even if you're month-to-month landlords usually require 30-days notice) and 2) ensured that I would get any security deposit/first and last month's rent THAT I PAID returned and 3) notified any and all utilities that are in my name that service should be taken out of my name at the end of that 30 day period.
It is the NEW OFFICIAL TENANTS' responsibility to ensure that everything is squared away with the landlord (new lease, if required, signed, new deposits given) and with the utilities (they have to call and request that the utilities be transferred to their name--btw, if you have a land line and it's in your name, make sure THAT's transferred too).
And if your "friends" want you to leave any of that in your name, or leave any of the security deposit or whatever, say no. You need the money for your new place, and you're not going to have their utilities in your name. Say it nicely, but say it and stay firm.
You shouldn't even need to consult a lawyer. Most leases are pretty cut-and-dried about what you can and cannot do.
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Out!
Put their stuff in the hall.
Drape a copy of the apartment ads on their stuff.
Change the locks.
Disconnect the phone for 24 hours to stop incoming insanity.
Don't ever do this again.
They are moochers. He knew he needed housing when he moved in for a "few weeks". She knew she needed housing 9 months ago. They have had more than enough time and perhaps they need the pressure to get off their dead butts and find adulthood. Their welfare is NOT your problem; it is their problem.
If you still need a roommate, advertise and SCREEN. That means they don't do drugs, drink to excess, have an income and can at least imitate adulthood.
They're having a child; it's time for them to grow up. You are an adult; it's time for you to take care of yourself first. Remember, airlines have you put on your own mask first because if you don't survive, no one depending on you will survive.
Schez3
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Give them a mirror
59 letters at this point, and not one of them sides with the apartment-jackers. That degree of consensus is unheard of in SYA letters!
Understandably, there's also lots of angry, emotional advice, which, if acted on, would achieve nothing but grief for the LW.
But, given the universal condemnation of the soon-to-be parents, LW could do worse than just print out Cary's reply and all the letters, and present them without a word. Whether or not the couple then do the right thing, at least they would be in no doubt what the world thinks of their obnoxious actions.
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Protect Yourself
Your goal here is to leave this situation behind with as little financial, legal and emotional damage as possible. Take it as an opportunity to start something new and get out of old behavioral ruts (hint, hint).
1. Read and understand your lease. If you have lived there for many years, it may now be a month-to-month, in which case things will be easier. If they are on the lease, then they have just agreed to take over the entire thing. If they are not on the lease, then things will be easier.
2. If they are on lease, go to landlord/management office and say you will need to transfer entire lease, minus your security deposit, to their name. Be 100% business about it. Don't be a dick, don't whine.
3. If they are NOT on the lease, go to the landlord/management company and give 30-days notice.
4. Find a new apartment. It *will* be better. Rent within your means.
5. Be certain to transfer/cut-off all utilities when you move. Again, no whining, no being a dick. Just do it.
6. Get other friends to come help you move. Do not discuss move with freeloaders.
7. If they are not on the lease, the landlord/management company will take care of the squatters after you leave. If they are on lease, then they get to pay 100% of the cost and will probably have to move soon themselves.
8. Get on with your life.
It doesn't sound like you are the landlord, so Cary's friend's legal advice is a red herring (unless he know ssomething we don't), and it sounds like these people may do some very nasty things to you if you fight. Give then their "victory" and excise them from your life. They will be the poorer.