Apartment roommates, master and who pays what question?

[_19disnA]

Whatever you agree to regarding how the bills will be split should be put in writing among all 3 roommates and have them sign to avoid an issues after you move in.

 

[GreatLakes]

When I rented with friends, once a townhouse and once a house, no one paid more for the master. Anyone could use that bathroom.

For the house there were three of us. We drew names for the master and one car garage and it was just luck of the draw.

ETA: This whole arrangement seems doomed before it started. I answered before I read all the replies but this really isn't this hard of a decision and it surely shouldn't go days and spread to message boards. With of course maybe 5 minutes to have this discussion back when we did it.

"Who gets the master and the garage?"
"I don't know, let's just draw names."
Done and no need to calculate square footage.

 

[lovin'fl]

Wow. There's a lot to unpack. Do B&C "deserve" the master (OK, since White Cat is offended, we can say "larger") because they're dating? How was it decided that A got the larger room?

A was set on it because she felt the 2 dating should share a bath. The 2 dating didn't want to share the main (master) bedroom (which initially A suggested they do by renting a 2 bedroom) because they both work from home with a fixed desk set up with multiple monitors so they can't just up and move to dining table. And they can't work at same time in same room as they both are on calls all day long. So they said they needed a 3 bedroom. I can see person A's point of view on why she should have the main bedroom. They all wanted the main bedroom. Person C is just most easy going about what room and backed off. C and B are a bit irked that A pushed so hard for the main bedroom and now is negotiating down from the $100 that B said she'd pay.

 

[starry_solo]

A was set on it because she felt the 2 dating should share a bath. The 2 dating didn't want to share the main (master) bedroom (which initially A suggested they do by renting a 2 bedroom) because they both work from home with a fixed desk set up with multiple monitors so they can just up and move to dining table. And they can't work at same time in same room as they both are on calls all day long. So they said they needed a 3 bedroom. I can see person A's point of view on why she should have the main bedroom. They all wanted the main bedroom. Person C is just most easy going and backed off. C and B are a bit irked that A pushed so hard for the main bedroom and now is negotiating down from the $100 that B said she'd pay.

At this point, why don't B&C just get their own 2 bedroom apartment. Let A go find his or her own roommates? What if B&C break-up? Then, they shouldn't be sharing a bathroom?

A needs to cough up a lot more than $100 extra a month to get the primary bedroom, en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. Primary bedrooms are typically a lot bigger than the secondary bedrooms, even in apartments.

 

[sam_gordon]

A was set on it because she felt the 2 dating should share a bath. The 2 dating didn't want to share the main (master) bedroom (which initially A suggested they do by renting a 2 bedroom) because they both work from home with a fixed desk set up with multiple monitors so they can just up and move to dining table. And they can't work at same time in same room as they both are on calls all day long. So they said they needed a 3 bedroom. I can see person A's point of view on why she should have the main bedroom. They all wanted the main bedroom. Person C is just most easy going and backed off. C and B are a bit irked that A pushed so hard for the main bedroom and now is negotiating down from the $100 that B said she'd pay.

I think the bolded makes it easier. If C's willing to "bow out", have them do an auction between A & B on how much more they're willing to pay each month. I A's only willing to pay $50 (not to be confused with what she WANTS to pay), but B's willing to pay $100, then B gets it for $100. Maybe A says "I'm willing to pay $110". B says "$125", A "130", etc, etc. Highest bidder gets the room and the extra cost.

Or, as PP suggested, B&C find another apartment.

 

[lovin'fl]

I think the bolded makes it easier. If C's willing to "bow out", have them do an auction between A & B on how much more they're willing to pay each month. I A's only willing to pay $50 (not to be confused with what she WANTS to pay), but B's willing to pay $100, then B gets it for $100. Maybe A says "I'm willing to pay $110". B says "$125", A "130", etc, etc. Highest bidder gets the room and the extra cost.

Or, as PP suggested, B&C find another apartment.

They should have done the auction thing. I mentioned that. But I think that A has the main bedroom now. Locked in. But lease isn't signed yet so B and C can walk.

They did the SF math and it comes to a bit over $100 more that should be paid for the main bedroom. And A mentioning B and C using more electric, it's not going to be that much more. Probably like $25 a month more. So really $50 more for the main BR is not quite enough.

 

[wenrob]

If they’re already squabbling B & C should definitely get their own place.

Working from home B & C are going to use considerably more in utilities. I would also think there are going to be times A is inconvenienced because B & C work from home. However, getting the Master to yourself should more than balance that out. $100 sounds fair. $50 definitely isn’t enough.

 

[RoseGold]

You need this!!!!

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2014/science/rent-division-calculator.html

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Those 2 are also dating

My opinion is the two people who are dating need to get their own place. That is not a roommate situation where it will end up with less stress.

Not only do you have the couple thinking they should get the larger room (which TBH is normal to think that) but you also have the potential for 3rd wheel. Not only that but you have the potential of what happens if they break up. Not only that but what if things get serious enough that the couple want to have a place to themselves (either the existing place or a new one).

It wasn't one of your choices but it would be mine--these three shouldn't be moving in all together from the beginning.

 

[tvguy]

My daughter and a friend (and former roommate) are here right now and I bounced it off them (they are both 31 and have more expertise in this than I.)
They both say in their experience the occupants of the master suite would pay less, because normally a fourth roommate would be brought in to share the larger bedroom and bathroom. The goal is reduce the cost of rent per person in the current rental market because rents are way out of control.

 

[HopperFan]

I voted for more than $100 more per month.

$2715/3 = $905 per person. I think the person with the master should pay $1105 (at least, possibly $1205) with the other two roommates paying $755-805 per person.
The $110 in other fees + electric bill should be split by all 3 roommates.

The hall bathroom is also the guest bathroom so that if anyone has guests over, that's the bathroom that the guests would use as well.

I did my math before reading any posts and I'm with you.

I came up with using percentages -
40% for master - $1086
30% each for secondary - $815 each

While it might seem high, they are getting the most square footage PLUS A PRIVATE BATH! Let them try to rent a one bedroom apartment and see what that costs.

All utilities are split equal.

TO OP ~ Your added on comments seem to be throwing some red flags and I think they need to be reconsidering rooming together. Fastest way to lose a friendship is live together.

 

[starry_solo]

They should have done the auction thing. I mentioned that. But I think that A has the main bedroom now. Locked in. But lease isn't signed yet so B and C can walk.

They did the SF math and it comes to a bit over $100 more that should be paid for the main bedroom. And A mentioning B and C using more electric, it's not going to be that much more. Probably like $25 a month more. So really $50 more for the main BR is not quite enough.

it doesnt matter who uses more electric, utilities should be split by the number of occupants in the apartment.

I think they are heading for trouble if they can’t even figure out rent. What if A gets a significant other and that person moves in, but unofficially, like spends most of the time in the apartment. are they going to recalculate rent then?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

normally a fourth roommate would be brought in to share the larger bedroom and bathroom.

That depends on occupancy rules of where someone lives. These days that's used (in practice I mean) to protect tenants from landlords illegally chopping up rooms (or just simply charging) to make more money by squeezing more people. If a place is 3 bedrooms normally 3 occupants, especially unrelated are expected, not 3 bedrooms but 4 unrelated occupants.

 

[tvguy]

That depends on occupancy rules of where someone lives. These days that's used (in practice I mean) to protect tenants from landlords illegally chopping up rooms (or just simply charging) to make more money by squeezing more people. If a place is 3 bedrooms normally 3 occupants, especially unrelated are expected, not 3 bedrooms but 4 unrelated occupants.

Well, I live in an area where the city, not the landlords, are trying to squeeze more people into the same space. Literally it would not be unheard of for the city to encourage 6 people to be living in that 3 bedroom apartment here. I think the term used by the city is increasing population density.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

Well, I live in an area where the city, not the landlords, are trying to squeeze more people into the same space. Literally it would not be unheard of for the city to encourage 6 people to be living in that 3 bedroom apartment here.

I'm sure but occupancy codes also exist for safety so hopefully those 6 people living in that 3 bedroom apartment can safely get out and be accounted for in case of things like fire. If people died because someone squeezed more people than they should into a space criminal charges would be pushed by the public..well you'd hope so..as well as calls for change.

Everyone understands wanting to save money, it's not always the most salient thing though in the end.

 

[amylevan]

They should have done the auction thing. I mentioned that. But I think that A has the main bedroom now. Locked in. But lease isn't signed yet so B and C can walk.

They did the SF math and it comes to a bit over $100 more that should be paid for the main bedroom. And A mentioning B and C using more electric, it's not going to be that much more. Probably like $25 a month more. So really $50 more for the main BR is not quite enough.

If looking for a way to split electric taking WFH into account, a generally accepted fair approach is the 25% rule. It’s based on the assumption of working 5-8 hour days at home every week (approximately 25%). So you take the bill, divide equally 3 ways, add 25% to the 2 who work from home and that’s what they are responsible for. The other pays the remainder.

Add that to the SF rent calculation and you are as fair as you can be.

 

[Forevermarypoppins]

Master- 40% of rent total

other 2 - 30% each rent total

split the other fairly with equal amts each.

 

[tvguy]

I'm sure but occupancy codes also exist for safety so hopefully those 6 people living in that 3 bedroom apartment can safely get out and be accounted for in case of things like fire. If people died because someone squeezed more people than they should into a space criminal charges would be pushed by the public..well you'd hope so..as well as calls for change.

Everyone understands wanting to save money, it's not always the most salient thing though in the end.

This is copied from a search, so 7 would be legal in that 3 bedroom apartment under California law.

How many people can live in a 3 bedroom apartment in California?


Additionally, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) uses what is known as the “two plus one” formula, which permits two (2) people to occupy each bedroom, with one (1) additional person in the living spaces (i.e., five (5) people may reside in a two bedroom unit).

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

This is copied from a search, so 7 would be legal in that 3 bedroom apartment under California law.

How many people can live in a 3 bedroom apartment in California?


Additionally, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) uses what is known as the “two plus one” formula, which permits two (2) people to occupy each bedroom, with one (1) additional person in the living spaces (i.e., five (5) people may reside in a two bedroom unit).

That's a state law but what's the city or county ordinance.

 

[LuvOrlando]

Person A was completely correct to want the bigger space since she is the third wheel and can easily be outnumbered in the shared space, at least with the bigger space she can retreat if there is fighting and drama with the other two dating antics.
Since the other two B & C will end up dominating the shared space with work desks and just the 2 on 1 thing, person A is going to end up using common area it much less, like she'll never be able to entertain or watch TV during the day since that space will be occupied by a pair of work from home dating adults. Unless I'm missing something I almost think there should be nothing extra, but the $50 is ok to just keep the peace I guess, certainly not much more considering the probable outcome.

I wonder, whose name is on the lease? Do you know whose lap the responsibility will fall if there is a blowup? For both my kids they ended up signing leases in towns where the whole thing can land on one person so I wrote out my own contract to be signed by the roommates and their parents that said something like:
"I agree to pay ---- portion of rent until the end of the lease regardless of circumstances." I know too many people whose kids had roomates leave school and had to cough up unexpected $ because the landlords can't be bothered with expenses of chasing them down if the other roommates are on the hook. At least with this I could do small claims if needed, thank goodness I didn't need to but better safe than sorry.