I have two roommates, one of whom got furloughed and one of whom got permanently laid off. I know money is tight for them already. As soon as they told me about their work situations, I told them...

likehelpful
Posting as :
works at
You are currently posting as works at
Highlighted IconHIGHLIGHTED

Why aren’t you considering paying it and having them pay you back in the future? There are also new laws springing up every day about evictions being on hold for nonpayment and other rent relief type laws, so worth looking into. You may also want to contact your landlord and see if they would be willing to let their portion go unpaid. Covering their rent as a gift seems far too generous unless these are your lifelong friends or your family is wealthy.

likesmartfunny

Do what is sustainable for you. I think it’s really nice you want to help in some way. Agree w others about reducing rent a sustainable amount for 3 months or something and maybe paying utilities. They will likely be very grateful. But you need to make sure whatever you offer is an amount that will not impact your savings, just come out of your discretionary income that’s coming in regularly.

like

Former landlord here...Are they good roommates/tenants? If so, it might be worth forgoing some rent for a couple of months to avoid having to replace them with new tenants who might give you new problems (loud, messy, sketchy guests etc.). Not to mention the fact that you're all sharing the same space means tensions around money could get extra difficult.

What about offering to charge them half rent in April and take it from there? Assuming they qualify for unemployment that shouldn't be an issue for them and could go a long way in cementing this as a positive relationship.

Evictions aren't/shouldn't really be an option right now so it's only to your benefit to work with them here.

like

Be flexible! They honestly could strike and then nobody is moving in. Think worst case scenario is making nothing and friends being homeless. Come up with an escalation ladder of tactics. Maybe start with a rent reduction, then loans, then free rent. That’s just a random order but smaller stuff you can do first. Be honest and transparent.

like
Recent IconRecent

Being their friend and landlord certainly puts you in a tough spot. I would first judge their personal situations, with the expectation that you have to do the same with both even if their circumstances aren’t the same. If they grew up with a silver spoon then they have family to help them right now, carry on as normal. If they are good people making it on their own, get creative.

Did you charge them security deposits? If so, and assuming they haven’t trashed anything, let them know that you will use that for a months rent and they can catch up on the security deposit later.

No security deposit, get one next time, but for now offer to pick up utilities casually dropping a “you guys can catch up when everything improves” at the end. If they go on carrying on like they still have a job, guess what, it’s time to catch up. If they truly buckle down and/or struggle, when you weren’t planning for them to really catch up.

You could do the same thing with rent if just waiving utilities doesn’t help, “look I’m guessing you are tight with money right now, let’s forget April and then once you get some cash coming in we can add $50 a month to rent until you catch up.”

Or maybe buy something off them?

likesmart

This is helpful context. Sounds like they are very hand to mouth. In this case, I think your open offer for them to be late is good and for them to keep the channel open to ask for what they need is wise.

You may need to allow rent to be delayed for the first month or two, but I would ensure you get at least 75% of all rent (ie $1500 would be really good for you to recoup on all months either as it is due or later). They need to apply for unemployment ASAP so they can ensure to get it as soon as possible. Normally it gets processed in 1-3 weeks. This time may take longer

I think if you can afford it means that you won't miss the money if you never see it again.

How much can you let go without needing it back? That's how much you can afford.

If it were me I would tell them to apply for unemployment and I would cut the rent in half for the next two months. With unemployment like someone said, they'll be getting $600 on top of whatever they qualify for every week. So between the two of them that's potentially at least $4800 a month and so $2000 in rent is a generous offer.

like

allow them to add another roomate for more income

like

Probably not a good idea to add people to the household with current social distancing.

smartlike

What will change after 2 months? If you start it how can you stop covering for them. Either ways they should also have savings to cover them for 1-2 months. But you could offer to maybe order take outs for everyone or pay the internet or utility bills .

like

OP I keep reading your replies and you keep saying “they are good tenants/friends”. And you keep asking what does it mean “if you can afford it”.? Clearly you can afford it because you’re in consulting and they aren’t. But the question you need to ask yourself is if you are okay with offsetting the costs without return and i mean REALLY OKAY, then do it. Help them out. Times are def tough right now.. The other thing is.... just because they are in hospitality doesn’t mean they can’t afford it. I used to be in hospitality and I always made sure to have 6 months min. in savings. And the fact that there is two of them, is questionable. They might have the cash and just aren’t disclosing it to you. Who knows. I sure as hell don’t. Just thinking really. If they truly don’t... that personally tells me they are living outside of their means but, again I have no idea.

I think you’ll be okay either way. Hope you figure it out OP. Good luck!!

like

I noticed one of my replies got cut off, but why I am guessing they will have trouble is they've been late on rent a few times due to cash flow. Always let me know ahead of time, and always said they would include a late fee (as specified in our lease), but I've told them not to pay the late fee because it's been three days late max and I wanted to build goodwill. I don't begrudge them that late fee, but I would begrudge giving thousands of dollars. As others have pointed out, though, I'm not sure how successful I'd be finding other roommates at this time. My house is in a resort town and jobs here have been totally decimated.

like

their first months deposit should carry you through April

like

Off topic, but what did they do?

like

it’s April 2nd , so what’s the verdict, who paid who’s rent?

funny

Yes ask them to ask their parents. Also tell the landlord and see if the landlord can waive their rent. In the event you get laid off yourself, you may need your money.

This is assuming their parents have money???

Are you the landlord? Do you own the apartment?

If they’re your family I might consider it but since it sounds like they’re your tenants, I don’t think so. They can come to you with a plan, they’re adults, right? They should consider what they can pay for the time being (April) and then what the course of action will be after that. I would not.... at all give them that money as a gift unless you’re a trust fund baby and roll around in 20s for fun. It’s a tough time but loaning or gifting money is a funny thing. One rule of thumb my family always says is never “loan” money that you need, always give it as if it’s a gift with no expectation of its return.

Agree with A3.

No. Agree - help in other ways, but they need to file for unemployment and use their savings, not yours.

Wrong advice IMO from your friend, let the roommates figure out how they can pay it or ask the landlord for a deferral on behalf of all of you due to the situation.

Did u read their situation at all? They are the landlord as well.

like

Listen - if you emphasize with them and provide emotional support you will never be the bad friend. Let them deal with the landlord.

If you start supporting them it’s going to be really hard to stop without ruining a friendship. Even if you end up in a tighter spot. People forget the favors really quickly

If you really want to be a rockstar friend - and since you kinda already offered to help - maybe offer to cover a months rent. One month. While they figure things out. And then ask them to keep you in the loop about how things go with the landlord.

Is there any work that needs to done around the house (yard work, painting, etc.) that would take minimal skill to accomplish. Maybe they can ‘work-off’ some of the rent at ~$15-20/hr. Could work out well as I’m assuming they cannot exactly go out and about at the moment anyway and are probably bored. You could then forgive the rest or still charge them the remaining rent.

Which practice are you talking about ?

Don’t assume they don’t have savings. You are white collar consultants. With three folks sharing its 1300$ pm for the rent. AND you start saving and also plan to move out to less expensive ones... And have your roommates work out to get some time... On an unemployment your friend will get close to 1700$ in unemployment benefits and am sure there’s severance...
After 1200$ leaves a couple of hundreds for food and other stuff is MORE THAN ENOUGH.... Just my 2 cents...

Sorry didn’t read the thread fully... I assumed your roommates were also consulting

Short answer is you owe them nothing. If they don’t even have a month or two of savings that is their fault.

Related Posts

Dad got laid off. Drinking got worse. Attempted assault on sis and mom. Had to put up in hotel. No clue on next steps (legal and personal). Project is complete shit show and SM is not getting it. Idk man...

like

Hello! Looking for some guidance. I will soon be leaving Verizon after 15 years with them (6 years HR experience, 3 years Operations, 6 years leadership). The last HR position I held will be eliminated and I was offered a severance. I am now in the market for a new place of employment I can call home. I was thinking of trying for a start up. But the likes of Google, Adobe, etc. also seem appealing. Would you recommend a start up as my next endeavor? I enjoy helping build processes and policies.

like

Hey! Any Google folks know if it’s possible to negotiate fully remote if a contract role is hybrid? Personally, I don’t want to relocate and go to the office on a contract role given the current economy. Plus, I’m assuming contractors are the first to go in layoffs. I just think it’s a fair trade off if I’d be allowed to work fully remote. I’m also trying to have flexibility to manage my Airbnb business in a different country. Same time zone as the home office if I’d travel weeks at a time.

like

How do you deal with references as a freelancer? Most of my past gigs - I had managers on paper but it was a formality as I led my own work so don't feel comfortable asking them to be a reference.

like

Blue shield of CA fired 375 people. Any other insurance companies having massive layoffs?

like

Did someone get fired in the new manager training in Orlando after getting drunk?

like

Just got laid off! Any lead Recruiter or Recruiting management opportunities looking for a recruiter with 10+ yrs of agency and in house tech recruiting?

like

What do you guys think about blue suits (not quite navy) being used as a normal suit for work, interviews, etc? I may just be colour blind but I feel like most navy’s are just too close to black

like

My company cut staff to 4 days/wk to save funds. I was getting requests from coworkers for docs needed urgently on our day off (fridays). I would oblige them. But then, I learned that those same coworkers had been put back to 5 days because they were deemed “essential“. I felt foolish and decided to stop working on fridays. One EVP (not the GC) in particular has been aggressively texting/calling me on fridays. How Do I tactfully respond? My out-of-office email is not enough of a hint...

like

DE&I is now a core leadership competency. If you are managing diverse talent, it’s important to understand what the term “privilege” means within a DE&I context so you can lead your team to higher levels of inclusivity+develop optimal strategies for solutioning around team issues/challenges. Everyone has some aspect of privilege depending upon the context. Privilege means the absence of obstacles/barriers, not necessarily the presence of perks. Though some would say *that* itself is a perk.

Post Photo
likesmart

Is anyone hearing chatter in banks/FIs about recessionary job cuts or hiring freezes yet?

likehelpful

I was recently (in April) fired from a good nursing position that I was at for 5 years. I reached out to my old ADON to get some information on where we had our vaccinations from and she told me that I should come back and the administrator that I had issues with is gone. Is this something I should even consider? I miss my patients and some of my coworkers and the pay is better, but I don't feel like I would really be welcome to come back.

like

Has anyone working tech for a bank been laid off yet? Tech layoffs all over the media but no one is talking about developers at banks (who make up 1/3 of headcount in some cases)

like

Hi connections, I was fired by my company Home Credit yesterday, 70% of my channel has been fired. I worked here as an Engagement manager. I lead the project of inhouse products where I deals with B2C centric markets( Usability of products, cross-selling, contact policies, PNL setup, awareness etc) as well as the B2B centric marketing segment ( end-to-end project management, defining performance metric, gathering information, recommendations etc). Plz give me a reference, connect on 8544357887

like

Account team comes up to me for 'cultural advice' on an execution.
I advice them to not use a specific term.
They do it anyway.
They get a huge backlash.

I mean...

Post Photo
likefunny

S&P Global Is it wise to join S&P Global during recession time? Can we consider this company as recession proof. Any history on layoffs in the past ..

S&P Global

Does anyone else make small mistakes here and there because this job makes you anxious? I feel like I triple check everything and still get pings from my manager that I missed something

likefunny

Has anyone seen firing in Deloitte India? Is there any process or employees are fired directly like few companies?

like

Who’s fault if anything goes wrong? Vp? Associate? Vp checking out and delegate everything to me...

like

Need suggestions: So I joined this bank and I was loaned to a different director in my team due to some long term leave for one of his SMs and audit with my director was deferred. The idea was that I would be involved in Fieldwork and take over reporting part. Issue is that I just despise the way this other Director is working. He would assign a task, and then start following up the very next day. And then after I send the document, he won’t even read that for a day!! Contd in comments

like

More Posts

Hi,

Have anybody joined PWC India not AC in their SAP Practice? Have their offer but in dilemma after seeing the bad reviews especially work life balance there.

Hello all,
I have applied to deloitte usi on their job portal but have not heard back from them since 2 weeks now.
What should I do?

Looking to apply for venture x before the offer goes away today. Anyone out there willing to share some of their referral bonus? 50 bucks?

like

Which offer should I accept? Currently staff 2 at big 4 in Tax with CPA license. I want to leave tax ASAP. Both are public companies +1B in revenue and same salary. Offer 1 - staff revenue accountant so reading contracts, speaking with the sales team and legal team, a lot of work at the end of the months to close books and reconcile transactions to make sure we are ASC 606 compliant. This track usually leads to director of revenue. Offer 2 - internal audit staff so SOX and compliance projects.

likefunny

Yay or nay? Can't make up my mind 🤯

Post Photo
like

BOA Planning for permanent WFH ?? Is that true??

like

Tag lines for La Croix

Best moves after becoming PMM? I've been in the role for 4-5 years now but looking to really challenge myself - I am not sure what the next leap would be other than moving into leadership or starting my own company. Thoughts?

like

Anyone stealth layoff, stealth layoff? I heard stealthier layoff. They gave stealthed layoff stealth layoff. Stealth layoff stealth layoff.

likefunny

I have 3 yrs of experience in Java, Springboot, Microservices, have cleared all rounds in Deloitte and KPMG, i'm asked to send required documents, I have 10.5lpa offer in hand, can I ask 11.5 lpa saying I have so and so offer in hand....?
Will they give that much?

like

Hi! I want to become a Credit Analyst. Can someone refer me to Pacific Premier Bank or Deutsche Bank? Thanks a ton

like

Is it worth opting for paid services at naukri to get job opportunity?

like

I have heard lay off happens in CitiusTech, is anyone aware about this

like

Are Google , IBM , Meta learning certificates, worth it? Do they really impress employers? If had an IBM data science certificate without any experience for example what type of role can expect or should I expect any?

like

I’m a senior in advisory at a B4 firm. I’m aiming for partner, but secretly would like to be part of firm leadership. Is there anything I should do differently on my way up the ladder?

funnylikeuplifting

Please advice, which one should i choose. I am highly confused. Skill Scrum master 7 YOE.
Eaton Tiaa global business services Larsen & Toubro Infotech YASH Technologies Inc Mastercard Airtel

Post Photo
like

Anyone else here kinda like doing doc review? (In moderation of course)

likehelpful

What’s going on with those LinkedIn job opportunities right now??? Has anyone gotten one lately? What did they say? I’ve gotten one job opportunity through LinkedIn, while freelancing, so far.

like

Starting to think it’s all a scam. Everyone knew tomorrow would be a bad day for the market... and bam... Gilead announces. = rally tomorrow!!! Ride the waves, my friends 🤣 THOUGHTS???

like

Additional Posts in The Worklife Bowl

like

What do people think of the British Royal Family? For those of us who grew up without ridiculous monarchies why do have to keep hearing about them in the news?

like

How fast do you think we return to normalcy in 2H?

If a headhunter approaches someone for c suite position but you know a friend who knows key decision maker/chairman. Do you just bypass headhunter? Its in round 3 shortlist.

like

WFH is bringing me back to my college days of blasting ratchet music when I really should be diligently working at 11 am.

likefunnyuplifting

Here we go again?

Post Photo
like

Does this Friday feel like a Monday to anyone else?

like

I just tested positive for COVID-19. Ask me anything you want. Anything. I’m a beacon of knowledge now and essentially a virologist l, epidemiologist, and family physician rolled into one. The power I wield over all you plebeians and proletariat is insurmountable to even the most worthy foe. Ask me my symptoms. Go ahead.

funnylikeupliftinghelpful

Hi BAL has submitted my H1B on 04/24 and yet to receive the receipt number. How soon the attorney will update the receipt number?

like

Anyone that is WFH but rents a small office space to work from?

I don't want to have to go to an office with coworkers, but I do feel like I'd be more productive getting out of home office a couple of days per week.

Feel the same?

like

Very worried Trump might start another war with an irrelevant small country just to distract people from the fact that he is so incompetent. Dying in the hand of fellow human is worse than virus to me

likehelpfulfunny

Anyone have a good office chair recommendation? Really not trying to spend more than $150 but willing to go to $200 if there is a really good recommendation.

Thanks!

like

Tomorrow is the 1 year anniversary of the passing of my roommates mom. She’s devastated and I know tomorrow will be hard. Any ideas on what I can do to help her through appreciated.

likeuplifting

Everyone, please start book marking your nominees for "Fishbowl Thread of the Year."

Planning prizes (gift cards?) for 1st/2nd/3rd place by most votes on 1/1/2021 12 PM CST

My money is on the "Singles in Consulting" bowl having some juicy stories.

like

My wife and I just had our second child, and we have also been dealing with her cervical cancer diagnosis. It has been a stressful year, to say the least. I want to do something nice for her, but money is tight right now because of the cancer treatment costs, and her being on unpaid leave because of the cancer treatments. What is something low cost I can do that will be a nice “couples thing” so we can de-stress, but also make her feel special?

like

...First date ideas during a pandemic?

likefunny

Anyone have a standing desk recommendation between the Fully Jarvis vs Uplift V2 vs Autonomous Smartdesk 2? Leaning towards the Jarvis but the Autonomous one seems 50% cheaper, but can’t really tell what the drawbacks are according to their website/reviews

like

What do you tell yourself when you’ve had the worst day?

likehelpful

Does anyone know the Salesforce vaccination policy? Only for those returning to the office? What about new hires?

like

New to Fishbowl?

Download the Fishbowl app to
unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.
That was just a preview…
Sign Up to see all discussions
  • Discover what it’s like to work at companies from real professionals
  • Get candid advice from people in your field in a safe space
  • Chat and network with other professionals in your field
Sign up in seconds to unlock all discussions on Fishbowl.

Already a user?
Login here

Share

Embed this post

Copy and paste embed code on your site

Preview

Download the
Fishbowl app

See what’s happening in your industry
from the palm of your hand.

A phone with Fishbowl app

Scan your QR code to download
Fishbowl app on your mobile

Download app

Sign up for free to view this conversation on Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

Already have an account? Log in

Sign up for free to continue using Fishbowl

By continuing you agree to Terms of Use(New) and Privacy Policy(New)
Messaging rates may apply

Already have an account? Log in

For account settings, visit Fishbowl on Desktop Browser or

General

Legal