VENT and an advice request

triumphantreturnofplanningbug · May 2010

We have a woman who's been thinking about subleasing our apartment here for a week. She'll call, set up something, cancel, call back, re-schedule...you get the idea.

Yesterday she called, went through the same list of questions she's asked 5 times already, got all the same answers, scheduled a time to come over today, and canceled the appointment, all in the same phone call.

She called today at 1:50 to set up a 2:00 appointment. I'd been packing all day and was grimy from it, so that wasn't going to happen. So we said 3:30. Now she calls and says "how about 4:00?" Fine. Whatever.I'm showered, the place isn't going to magically not look like we're packing in 30 minutes, so just freaking come over already.

So here's the advice request: would her seeming flakiness on the phone be a detraction if you were thinking about subleasing to this person? I know apartment hunting is stressful, but she seems persistently out of it. I haven't talked with her for more than 15 minutes total, but I'm wondering whether her not-entirely-there-ness is going to carry over to things like paying rent and remembering to clean the place and check out of the apartment entirely on the required day. Thoughts or suggestions or advice would be much appreciated!

Temp76535187505890 · May 2010

1. Thank gawd you didn't ask for "advise." Thank you, thank you.

2. Yes, it would very much make me uneasy to sublet to this person since you are still ultimately on the hook. I'd still show it to her in order to get a better feel for her. Are you planning on a reference & credit check? If she's the only taker on subletting then I'd certainly be considering both of those.

Seth'sWife · May 2010

It would be a major detraction for me. If she had had to reschedule once, okay fine. But that many times to me is an indicator of someone who doesn't have it together. When I was scheduling a Kindermusik class for DD, the teacher was canceling class/not canceling class, etc. She promised me she wasn't usually like that . . . WRONG! Every class there was some kind of crisis. HTH!

helovesducatis · May 2010

triumphantreturnofplanningbug:
I'm wondering whether her not-entirely-there-ness is going to carry over to things like paying rent and remembering to clean the place and check out of the apartment entirely on the required day.

This is the part I would worry about. If she can't even hold to her word about when scheduling a time to meet, how can you trust her later when she is subleasing from you? Your ability to hold to the lease terms will depend on your ability to trust her, which doesn't seem like something she is too focused on...

Valerie120408 · May 2010

That would bother me a lot. I would give her the chance to come at 4 but if she cancels again or you don't like something when you meet heR, then I would be done with her.

luvlieK · May 2010

I honestly wouldn't have confidence in prompt payments or even payments at all.

luvlieK · May 2010

ArmyQM:
1. Thank gawd you didn't ask for "advise." Thank you, thank you.

LOL

superMiller · May 2010

I'd be worried about what would happen if and when she DOES actually move in. Will she be as wishy-washy and shifty about paying her rent? Or taking care of the place? If you're subleasing I'm assuming you'll be responsible if she drops the ball. I'd keep looking for someone else. And I'd tell her that. Maybe she'll either drop the idea all together or jump on it if she realizes you're looking for someone else because she's been indecisive. Good luck!

triumphantreturnofplanningbug · May 2010

Aw man....I was really hoping my gut was just being peevish. I'm certainly not going to cancel now, but DH and I will definitely have a long chat before even running the credit and background check to think about whether the risk is worth it.

Thanks women!

Joes_love · May 2010

one of my good friends just recently got screwed by a renter and he had felt uncertain when the renter signed the contract. it wound up going to court to have the guy evicted, but it was a lot of headaches. so i say go with your gut and keep looking for someone else.

ElloPoppet · May 2010

I wouldn't even let her in my house at this point. Maybe I'm a biitch but I don't put up with crap like that.

Hippinski · May 2010

Trust your gut. If something seems off, it likely is. You just might save yourself a world of trouble if you just cut ties now.

clayswife · May 2010

Given the track record of her not being able to commit, I wouldn't be comfortable with a sublease. It wouldn't surprise me if she were late with rent, etc...

Genevieved · May 2010

I agree with what all these ladies said, however if for some reason after credit check ect you do let her move in I would get a nice deposit and cash the check to make sure the funds are there. I would also get post dated checks for the rest of the rent so you at least have the checks in your hands. I know there is no way to make sure the funds are there but it will save the hassle of trying to get the checks on time.