I'm renting a room and paying half the bills, what are my rights? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Zeraph · 01-01-2011, 10:05 AM

I'm renting from an (home) owner. I want to smoke in my room but the owner says no way. Must smoke outside. Is it my right to smoke in my room that I paid for?

jewels · 01-01-2011, 10:07 AM

Not unless you agreed to the terms beforehand.

He owns it. His rules.

Edit: If it's within his home, the smoke and smell will proliferate throughout.

Zeraph · 01-01-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jewels

Not unless you agreed to the terms beforehand.

He owns it. His rules.

Edit: If it's within his home, the smoke and smell will proliferate throughout.

Nuts. Thanks.

PS actually I smoke a pipe. Many people like the smell and it doesn't stick to things like cigs do. So I'm actually pretty sure so long as I keep my door closed it wouldn't spread much. And it goes away quicker than cig smoke too. I figured if I burned some incense it shouldn't be too bad.

But oh well, guess I can't do anything.

amonkie · 01-01-2011, 11:22 AM

Zeraph did you sign a lease or was this a verbal agreement?

If you want to have any protections and rights you really need to get them in the lease and upfront, especially if the landlord is sharing the same residence as you.

Zeraph · 01-01-2011, 11:32 AM

Verbal. Close friends. Wouldn't consider a contract or lease.

The_Jazz · 01-01-2011, 11:38 AM

Then it looks like you and your pipe will be outside. Sorry.

Zeraph · 01-01-2011, 11:49 AM

Yuup. But its kinda lame though, roommate/landowner won't even give me a chance. I smoked it once in my room without thinking and no one noticed.

amonkie · 01-01-2011, 12:26 PM

Its one of the perks of being the one making the rules, you can actually choose what you want.

You don't know how reason for making it - it could be smoke allergies, air quality, or just simply the fact that he doesn't allow smoking in his own house, period.

If it is that important to you to be able to smoke in your sleeping quarters, then your choice is really to sit down and ask him again, or find another place to live.

As a renter, you have the least rights of anyone. It's a hard fact at times and I feel the discrimination as a pet owner - my dog isn't hurting anyone, doesn't tear up places, and isn't much of a barker. Yet many places do not even give me the chance to make a case, and that is their right.

Y

zenda · 01-01-2011, 02:17 PM

Just checking: Is it you or the close friend who would not consider a contract or a lease? On the one hand 'hey ... we're buddies .. c'mon!' On the other hand, there are securities each of you hasn't got. Some might be relevant. I'm not questioning whether you trust each other, rather "we're making a survival and security-related agreement, so let's do it right at the beginning and at least have thought ahead toward possible unexpecteds"

As for my thoughts on the matter as it stands. Yup. Pipe outside. Fact that s/he's a close friend gives added reasons for either sticking to the rules regardless of owner notices on this or that day, or having jolly good talk, of moving somewhere else. Two of you operating on trust, therefore trust to be honoured.

Check also whether, because you're close friends, you might encounter further expectations. Eg to have guests sleep in your room from time to time, like after a party, etc.

genuinegirly · 01-01-2011, 02:56 PM

One of my professor friends was truly disturbed one day when she came home unexpectedly to find the people renting her basement were burning incense. There was a "no smoking" clause in the lease. Incense, in her mind, was no different. She gave them a week to move out.

She has serious asthma problems and was messed up for a month after the incense disaster. Some landlords have valid reasons for demanding a no-smoking environment. Try to be sensitive to their needs.

Zeraph · 01-03-2011, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zenda

Just checking: Is it you or the close friend who would not consider a contract or a lease? On the one hand 'hey ... we're buddies .. c'mon!' On the other hand, there are securities each of you hasn't got. Some might be relevant. I'm not questioning whether you trust each other, rather "we're making a survival and security-related agreement, so let's do it right at the beginning and at least have thought ahead toward possible unexpecteds"

As for my thoughts on the matter as it stands. Yup. Pipe outside. Fact that s/he's a close friend gives added reasons for either sticking to the rules regardless of owner notices on this or that day, or having jolly good talk, of moving somewhere else. Two of you operating on trust, therefore trust to be honoured.

Check also whether, because you're close friends, you might encounter further expectations. Eg to have guests sleep in your room from time to time, like after a party, etc.

Its me, there's just no way I'd ever consider needing to put our trust into some sort of cold contract.

amonkie · 01-03-2011, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeraph

Its me, there's just no way I'd ever consider needing to put our trust into some sort of cold contract.

I will just say that is a risk you take. I've personally chosen never to mix business and things like where I live with friendship for this very reason, because people DO change. It's not fun to think about and it is not a pretty sight, but I wish you the best.

Lindy · 01-03-2011, 07:14 PM

It's kind of a "common law" thing that a tennant should do nothing that interferes with another's "peaceful and quiet enjoyment" of the premises, whether it is in writing or not.

Lindy

cadre · 01-03-2011, 10:06 PM

What they said, and as a smoker you are not part of a protected class so the owner can make that rule.

I wouldn't allow smoking in my house either so I can't really relate to your side of things.

01-01-2011, 10:05 AM	#1 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	I'm renting a room and paying half the bills, what are my rights? I'm renting from an (home) owner. I want to smoke in my room but the owner says no way. Must smoke outside. Is it my right to smoke in my room that I paid for?

01-01-2011, 10:07 AM	#2 (permalink)
jewels Eponymous Location: Central Central Florida	Not unless you agreed to the terms beforehand. He owns it. His rules. Edit: If it's within his home, the smoke and smell will proliferate throughout. __________________ We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess. Mark Twain

01-01-2011, 11:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	Zeraph did you sign a lease or was this a verbal agreement? If you want to have any protections and rights you really need to get them in the lease and upfront, especially if the landlord is sharing the same residence as you. __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

01-01-2011, 11:38 AM	#6 (permalink)
The_Jazz Asshole Administrator Location: Chicago	Then it looks like you and your pipe will be outside. Sorry. __________________ "They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." - B. Franklin "There ought to be limits to freedom." - George W. Bush "We have met the enemy and he is us." - Pogo

01-01-2011, 12:26 PM	#8 (permalink)
amonkie Drifting Administrator Location: Windy City	Its one of the perks of being the one making the rules, you can actually choose what you want. You don't know how reason for making it - it could be smoke allergies, air quality, or just simply the fact that he doesn't allow smoking in his own house, period. If it is that important to you to be able to smoke in your sleeping quarters, then your choice is really to sit down and ask him again, or find another place to live. As a renter, you have the least rights of anyone. It's a hard fact at times and I feel the discrimination as a pet owner - my dog isn't hurting anyone, doesn't tear up places, and isn't much of a barker. Yet many places do not even give me the chance to make a case, and that is their right. Y __________________ Calling from deep in the heart, from where the eyes can't see and the ears can't hear, from where the mountain trails end and only love can go... ~~~ Three Rivers Hare Krishna

01-01-2011, 11:32 AM	#5 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	Verbal. Close friends. Wouldn't consider a contract or lease.

01-01-2011, 11:49 AM	#7 (permalink)
Zeraph Banned Location: The Cosmos	Yuup. But its kinda lame though, roommate/landowner won't even give me a chance. I smoked it once in my room without thinking and no one noticed.

01-01-2011, 02:17 PM	#9 (permalink)
zenda Crazy Location: London, England	Just checking: Is it you or the close friend who would not consider a contract or a lease? On the one hand 'hey ... we're buddies .. c'mon!' On the other hand, there are securities each of you hasn't got. Some might be relevant. I'm not questioning whether you trust each other, rather "we're making a survival and security-related agreement, so let's do it right at the beginning and at least have thought ahead toward possible unexpecteds" As for my thoughts on the matter as it stands. Yup. Pipe outside. Fact that s/he's a close friend gives added reasons for either sticking to the rules regardless of owner notices on this or that day, or having jolly good talk, of moving somewhere else. Two of you operating on trust, therefore trust to be honoured. Check also whether, because you're close friends, you might encounter further expectations. Eg to have guests sleep in your room from time to time, like after a party, etc.

01-01-2011, 02:56 PM	#10 (permalink)
genuinegirly Eat your vegetables Super Moderator Location: Arabidopsis-ville	One of my professor friends was truly disturbed one day when she came home unexpectedly to find the people renting her basement were burning incense. There was a "no smoking" clause in the lease. Incense, in her mind, was no different. She gave them a week to move out. She has serious asthma problems and was messed up for a month after the incense disaster. Some landlords have valid reasons for demanding a no-smoking environment. Try to be sensitive to their needs. __________________ "Sometimes I have to remember that things are brought to me for a reason, either for my own lessons or for the benefit of others." Cynthetiq "violence is no more or less real than non-violence." roachboy

01-03-2011, 07:14 PM	#13 (permalink)
Lindy Junkie	It's kind of a "common law" thing that a tennant should do nothing that interferes with another's "peaceful and quiet enjoyment" of the premises, whether it is in writing or not. Lindy

01-03-2011, 10:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
cadre The Worst Influence Location: Arizona	What they said, and as a smoker you are not part of a protected class so the owner can make that rule. I wouldn't allow smoking in my house either so I can't really relate to your side of things. __________________ My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.