Accepting Roommate/Tenant with only partial rent to move in?

[Jon K.]

I wouldn't let a "real" tenant move in with partial rent, but should I let a roommate/tenant move in with partial rent?

This person wants to move in with only partial rent upfront.

Since they are a roommate, can I do a weekly lease, accept deposit and weekly rent, and give them 7 days notice to leave if they don't pay?

Can I modify my lease to make it a weekly lease?

The details they gave me:

- They relocated here for work and commute 2+ hours from their current rental that they're leasing there through January 31
- They want to move in here January 1, a Wednesday
- They don't get paid until January 3, a Friday, and get paid weekly each week
- They work at a law office here (admin staff) and just started the job this week

This person sounded good until they said it would be "cutting it close to pay their current rent and deposit/rent here upfront by January 1."

Would you even consider this person?

Should I try a weekly lease, and just check their current rental reference, credit, job, etc.?

Usually I wouldn't even consider someone who couldn't pay. But, since I'm their roommate, should I consider it?

I haven't found anyone yet, and I'm looking for someone for January 1.

[Mike H.]

Don't do it. There are two types of people I have come to avoid.

One is the type that in incredibly eager to pay me the first month and deposit in cash at the showing. Those worry me a little because they're just in too big a hurry to get into the place. Their credit is usually really bad because they don't pay bills.

But the real problem child renter I've come to find out is the one that can't come up with the security deposit to the hold the place. Sometimes I even lower the full amount to hold the place and will take half.

The ones that can't come up with half for another 2 weeks are the ones that cause more headaches than not. Of the habitual late payers, a majority of them would be the ones that didn't have the security deposit.

If they don't have 1,000 in their savings and can't get it, I wouldn't want them as renters. The odds are they are going to have a real hard time paying rent on time too.

I have learned my lesson on the two red flag renters. The ones that offer cash and want to move in tomorrow. And the ones that can't come up with 500 to 700 for another 2 weeks to hold the house. If they don't have anything in the bank at all now, they won't have anything in the bank come month 8 when some unforeseen event occurs - or come Xmas when the presents get prioritized over the rent.