Real Estate is a huge business in America, especially when it comes to big cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Boston, etc. Housing rates are costly in these areas. However, the price is slightly lower when it comes to Texas. Even in big cities like Austin, Houston, etc., the cost of living and accommodation is affordable compared to the other major cities.
However, you would require a roommate to share the monthly expenses, namely rent, groceries, food, etc. In some cases, the roommates might have to move to a new place for certain reasons. This article will discuss a quick overview of renting in Houston and what necessary things you should do when your roommate leaves.
Renting in Houston
Recently, renting in Houston has become tougher compared to the past. Since the city is less expensive than other big cities, many people have started to migrate to Texas and specifically Houston. As a result, the housing market has become competitive, and people are waiting for months on the waitlists.
It is also estimated that renting prices have risen by 23% in 7 years. So, it is becoming more expensive to live in rental homes in this city, especially for individuals who do not have roommates. Therefore, having a roommate is fundamental if you want to save some income and share your rent.
Therefore, if your roommate has suddenly decided to leave, you need to take the following measures:
1. Go through your roommate agreement
A roommate agreement is a written contract between two roommates. After you post a room for rent, you could have gotten plenty of requests from people who want to be your roommate. Therefore, you should have documented a roommate agreement before your roommate moved in. It has to be a notarised legal document that provides a set of rules and regulations for both you and your roommate. The main objective of having this agreement is to resolve any problem that occurs in the future.
It usually states how the rent will be shared, how many days of notice a roommate should give before moving out, how long the tenure is, and the acts or omissions that would require the other party to take necessary legal actions. You should go through the roommate move-out column and see if your roommate has violated any rules in this agreement. If yes, talk to them about it and try to work out a solution before taking legal action. If your roommate still wants to move out regardless of infringing any clause of the rental agreement, ask for some time from your landlord to pay your rent and consult a lawyer.
2. Talk to your homeowner
Talk to your landlord about your roommate moving out. Tell him descriptively about the situation, including any potential risks or challenges you face. If you are a good renter and have been paying bills on time, then your homeowner might understand your situation and could provide you with a grace period for paying the rent. Use this time to sort the issue out and ask their permission to have a new roommate.
3. Calculate your finances
After your roommate has decided to move out, you need to be financially stable to pay your rent and utilities. So, you should re-calculate your finances, assess whether you are spending too much money on unnecessary items, and find out how you would save money for paying the rent. Try to sort your finances and figure out how long you can handle your bills. You should cut back on certain things such as eating out, commuting, entertainment, etc. Try to find a new roommate by searching on some good online roommate finders in Houston.
4. Search for a new roommate
Once your ex-roommate has departed, the next thing you should do is search for a new potential roommate. Always check with your close relatives, friends, or mutual friends first to ensure whether any of them are interested in moving in with you. If your efforts fail, you can post a requirement for a roommate on the internet to fetch more results. There are numerous websites you can use to find new roommates. Some of them are given below:
- Cirtru
- Facebook Groups
- BunkUp
- RoomEasy
- RoomieMatch
These rental websites are highly informative and helpful in finding a new roommate. It also helps you with the latest updates and property listings. You should check on these websites often to not miss any listing. You can put your interests, namely sleep schedule, favorite activity, hobbies and interests, favorite travel destinations, how socialized you are, etc. Using these advanced search options, you can find a like-minded roommate of your choice.
5. Seek legal counsel
You can go for legal counseling if you have a binding legal document and your roommate has violated any of its clauses or abandoned the lease agreement. For example, make sure that the contract states that your roommate needs to pay for the entire lease period. In such cases, you can utilize legal counsel to sue them.
However, if it was not specified, you cannot go for legal advice even though their name is on the lease. The main objective is to have some evidence to show the lawyer that your roommate is leaving you with financial burdens and that you need compensation from them to sustain your rental expenses.
Conclusion
Ensure that you have a legally valid written agreement co-partnered with your roommate. If they violate any rules mentioned in the roommate or lease agreement, you can sit down and talk to them and try to sort the problem out. However, if that does not work, you have all the right to seek assistance from a legal counsel if the rules are clearly stated in the notarized agreement. Moreover, you can search for ‘roommate finders in Houston’ on the web to find potential roommates so that it can reduce your financial burden.