Don't fall into joint lease trap in BCS!
Hi,
I've been a student at A&M for 3 years now and I've had roommates basically my whole adult life. Never had a real problem. Never had to confront anyone over basic stuff. I always just got lucky I guess.
Then this happened.
I signed a joint lease with someone I knew. Less than 2 years in she got a job opportunity and had to leave. I get it, life happens. But instead of working something out together she started pressuring me. for example, she said if I didn't agree to let her sublet her room to someone else, she would stop paying utilities. I didn't want to deal with the financial mess so I agreed to co-sign the lease with whoever she found.
That stranger made my life hell.
For the first time in probably 7 years of living with roommates I had to confront someone over the most basic things. Things I never had to say to anyone before in my life. Don't be loud at 8am when people are sleeping. Don't have guests over screaming in the common area at 11pm. Give back my furniture that you took without asking. And every time I said something she either ignored me, did the bare minimum, or made me feel like I was the problem.
The real issue was the joint lease. It gave my original roommate all the power to put me in that situation and gave me no way out. At least if I had signed with a corporation they would care about their reputation. Instead I was stuck with a random person with no decency and no consequences.
If you are looking for an apartment in College Station, find one where you sign only for your own room and pay your own utilities. You might have to pay a higher deposit or find a guarantor but do it. You will not be responsible for someone else's life choices or their complete lack of familiarity with basic human decency. It is worth every penny.
Don't sign a joint lease unless you are living with your family. Even your closest friend. Situations change and you do not want to be trapped because of someone else's choices.
I'm still living this. Just don't do it.