Thread: Renting a room in a house questions

Hi all,

I just went to see a room in a house today & 2 surprises cropped up. First I must premise that I didn't find this room, someone else found it for me, so I never saw the ad.

Anyway, it's a gorgeous house, although he seems to want to put me in one room, then another, then another, as he shuffles people around, & the bathroom he gave me has no shelving plus the desk isn't a real desk with a keyboard tray.

I'm hoping the other rooms are better.

The desk & bathroom are issues, but they wouldn't necessarily break the deal unless these other issues aren't resolved & I'm just feeling trepidatious now:

1. I suddenly found out that he charges for electricity, & we aren't talking a small amount here. He said $80-100/month & I'm sure it's going to end up being $100 every month.

I would ask to see the bill every month, but even if it is in fact a $300-400 bill, I've never heard of being charged for utilities when renting a room, although in Canada sometimes this happens.

My issue is the cost b/c this house is HUGE, so I'm paying for everyone's electricity, including the pool (whether I use it or not), when people leave their lights on, etc.

He's dividing it up based on how many tenants he has at any one given time & while you'd think he'd bear the majority of the bill, I'm sure that's not what he's intending.

Turns out this was mentioned in the ad, just not how much it was going to be.

2. I get surprised again that he wants a deposit when I thought deposits were only for apts. & houses. This wasn't mentioned in the ad.

I did end up giving him $100 until I move in b/c I loved the house as it has a pool, huge terrace, huge nice kitchen, has the ethernet cable, is very stylish & clean, etc., but I don't know about the rest.

I can maybe see his pov on the deposit b/c it is a nice house, but I wasn't expecting to fork that money out. Has anyone else here been forced into paying a deposit for a room?

As for the electricity, has anyone here ever paid that kind of money for a one room rental?

I want to tell him asap if I've changed my mind so I can get my money back.

I'm torn b/c it's such a nice house & I do need something quickly & I don't want to take this place & then move again until I'm completely settled.

Thanks


Michelle

Originally Posted by sensualspirit

Hi all,

I just went to see a room in a house today & 2 surprises cropped up. First I must premise that I didn't find this room, someone else found it for me, so I never saw the ad.

Anyway, it's a gorgeous house, although he seems to want to put me in one room, then another, then another, as he shuffles people around, & the bathroom he gave me has no shelving plus the desk isn't a real desk with a keyboard tray.

I'm hoping the other rooms are better.

The desk & bathroom are issues, but they wouldn't necessarily break the deal unless these other issues aren't resolved & I'm just feeling trepidatious now:

1. I suddenly found out that he charges for electricity, & we aren't talking a small amount here. He said $80-100/month & I'm sure it's going to end up being $100 every month.

I would ask to see the bill every month, but even if it is in fact a $300-400 bill, I've never heard of being charged for utilities when renting a room, although in Canada sometimes this happens.

My issue is the cost b/c this house is HUGE, so I'm paying for everyone's electricity, including the pool (whether I use it or not), when people leave their lights on, etc.

He's dividing it up based on how many tenants he has at any one given time & while you'd think he'd bear the majority of the bill, I'm sure that's not what he's intending.

Turns out this was mentioned in the ad, just not how much it was going to be.

2. I get surprised again that he wants a deposit when I thought deposits were only for apts. & houses. This wasn't mentioned in the ad.

I did end up giving him $100 until I move in b/c I loved the house as it has a pool, huge terrace, huge nice kitchen, has the ethernet cable, is very stylish & clean, etc., but I don't know about the rest.

I can maybe see his pov on the deposit b/c it is a nice house, but I wasn't expecting to fork that money out. Has anyone else here been forced into paying a deposit for a room?

As for the electricity, has anyone here ever paid that kind of money for a one room rental?

I want to tell him asap if I've changed my mind so I can get my money back.

I'm torn b/c it's such a nice house & I do need something quickly & I don't want to take this place & then move again until I'm completely settled.

Thanks


Michelle

Panama can be a scary place. How much per month are you going to be paying for rent for a bedroom in a house? Your worried over $100?

No one has forced you to do anything. Sharing the cost of electricity should make everyone use less but human nature probably leads people to use more. If there are AC's each room will be an ice box.

Is there a question? Renting a room in Panama is probably not a bad idea in Panama City if you get fortunate enough to get decent roommates. Low initial investment-low monthly cost. Sounds good.

Sounds like a good deal to me.

Many people so new to this country will absolutely abuse the AC if you don't charge them extra.

Very good point. People don't realize that in Panama airconditioners are for "looks" only. They are a status symbol. Using them is impractical and very costly. I just had a very nice looking large window unit installed the other day. It doesn't work but I have already had several neighbors comment on how nice it looks.

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

Very good point. People don't realize that in Panama airconditioners are for "looks" only. They are a status symbol. Using them is impractical and very costly. I just had a very nice looking large window unit installed the other day. It doesn't work but I have already had several neighbors comment on how nice it looks.

Lol, gotta love different cultures. You have a new status symbol hanging out of your window that doesn't even work and the neighbors are getting jealous. Better put a lock on it.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

Panama can be a scary place. How much per month are you going to be paying for rent for a bedroom in a house? Your worried over $100?

Yes of course I want my $100 back, I guess you have a lot more money then I do to burn.


Michelle

Originally Posted by sensualspirit

Yes of course I want my $100 back, I guess you have a lot more money then I do to burn.


Michelle

I have to chuckle a little Michelle, you use this forum to promote your Yahoo group for "Nice Expats" (good luck with that) and you know little to nothing about the country. You are as new and unsure as they come. Since you don't know what's up I will say this, if I was renting out a room in a big house with it's own AC, I would be asking $100 as well.

Originally Posted by sensualspirit

Yes of course I want my $100 back, I guess you have a lot more money then I do to burn.


Michelle

Why did u pay $100 if u didnt want to? One good lesson learned. Never pay anything here before u are sure u want it and have it in ur hands. Thats a good lesson around the world btw.

One of my first lessons learned here was that when you pay a deposit or a down payment for something in Panama, the money is spent. It is never a good idea to make a loan here either unless you view the loan as a gift. Never pay the full price for something until the job is finished. Once the full price is payed the job is finished. Basic stuff.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

I have to chuckle a little Michelle, you use this forum to promote your Yahoo group for "Nice Expats" (good luck with that) and you know little to nothing about the country. You are as new and unsure as they come. Since you don't know what's up I will say this, if I was renting out a room in a big house with it's own AC, I would be asking $100 as well.

Excuse me? You are trying to say I'm ONLY here to promote a forum that has nice people in it?

Think what you want, I'm not here to change your mind, you will think negative things no matter what I say.

And what's wrong with me being new???? Everyone here starts off new, this is how we learn.



Michelle

Originally Posted by janl

Why did u pay $100 if u didnt want to? One good lesson learned. Never pay anything here before u are sure u want it and have it in ur hands. Thats a good lesson around the world btw.

Didn't I say at the time I wanted the room? Plus getting him the deposit later on would have been a challenge since he's far out.


Michelle

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

Very good point. People don't realize that in Panama airconditioners are for "looks" only. They are a status symbol. Using them is impractical and very costly. I just had a very nice looking large window unit installed the other day. It doesn't work but I have already had several neighbors comment on how nice it looks.

The window A/C replaces the BMW as status symbol of choice LoL. Now I know what to add for upgrades if I decide to sell.

Originally Posted by sensualspirit

Didn't I say at the time I wanted the room? Plus getting him the deposit later on would have been a challenge since he's far out.


Michelle

What do you think the deposit was for?

Originally Posted by fleeted

The window A/C replaces the BMW as status symbol of choice LoL. Now I know what to add for upgrades if I decide to sell.

Lol, just need to add some chrome (bling) to the AC unit and really rub it in with the neighbors.

Originally Posted by sensualspirit

Excuse me? You are trying to say I'm ONLY here to promote a forum that has nice people in it?

Think what you want, I'm not here to change your mind, you will think negative things no matter what I say.

And what's wrong with me being new???? Everyone here starts off new, this is how we learn.



Michelle

Problem isn't you being new, its you advertising a competitive website that I am having fun with.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

Problem isn't you being new, its you advertising a competitive website that I am having fun with.

can she be a member of that new group ? because nomatter what you say, she kicks you in the nuts . maybe in a yr or so when the only thing she has to talk to is her cat she will understand LOL

Originally Posted by nakedguydb

can she be a member of that new group ? because nomatter what you say, she kicks you in the nuts . maybe in a yr or so when the only thing she has to talk to is her cat she will understand LOL

Lol, your right, this is a small country. I could be in some store, somewhere, and all of a sudden I am curled into the fetal position on the floor. And why? Because I made fun of the owner of the "Nice Expats" Yahoo group.

Ok, Ok, I need a moderator now. This is getting out of control. Where is Ed when you need him? Can't you just be "nice"?

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

Ok, Ok, I need a moderator now. This is getting out of control. Where is Ed when you need him? Can't you just be "nice"?

If I wanted to be "nice" I would just join a Yahoo group. Lol.

That's exactly why I started that group. B/c of people like those 2.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

Lol, just need to add some chrome (bling) to the AC unit and really rub it in with the neighbors.

Good to get up to speed with the cultural differences LOL.

The fact of the matter is that you needed a room. You liked the place, were concerned that maybe he would rent it out to someone else. The way to guarantee your getting the room is to pay the deposit.

Everywhere I've ever lived - I've had to pay a deposit. Just be happy its $100 and not one months rent - which is what it usually is.

If you damage something - do you expect the owner to pay for it out of his pocket? Or your AC usage?

Utility split is common - even in Canada.

Originally Posted by MRWOOHOO

Problem isn't you being new, its you advertising a competitive website that I am having fun with.

You are 110% correct! It is very tacky (to say the least) to show up on this well established forum and use it to promote another. There are long term posters on this site like Mary at whypanama who also have a blog. She contributes greatly to this forum while keeping her own site in the background. It is no different than myself or other business owners using this site to promote our business in the threads instead of buying advertising on the site. Kind of like the cell phone spammers who show up here once a month an post on every thread.

Besides, being "nice" all the time is phony and down-right boring. Reing "respectful" even when disagreeing is good. Hey, I've got an idea for a new Yahoo Group!

I think that what this boils down to is that the moderator and some of the members are not "nice". Some of us speak our mind and are a little too "real". This leads to sarcasm and cynicism and possibly comments that are politically incorrect. Some questions are asked that seem to beg "common sense" but we must remember that no question is a bad question and we must embrace and welcome our new comers. Better that we keep our comments limited to Panama Positive. Real opinions, or negative opinions or off color comments that require a sense of humor to appreciate should be avoided. I personally think it is a great idea to form a "nice Xpat" forum. It could be strictly a social forum where we talk about fun stuff. Nothing deep. Yaaa Panama!!!! Keep it nice and folks will quit migrating over to the competing site. Just my opinion.

Originally Posted by Pollerkeeper

I think that what this boils down to is that the moderator and some of the members are not "nice". Some of us speak our mind and are a little too "real". This leads to sarcasm and cynicism and possibly comments that are politically incorrect. Some questions are asked that seem to beg "common sense" but we must remember that no question is a bad question and we must embrace and welcome our new comers. Better that we keep our comments limited to Panama Positive. Real opinions, or negative opinions or off color comments that require a sense of humor to appreciate should be avoided. I personally think it is a great idea to form a "nice Xpat" forum. It could be strictly a social forum where we talk about fun stuff. Nothing deep. Yaaa Panama!!!! Keep it nice and folks will quit migrating over to the competing site. Just my opinion.

Here's the thing about have a "Nice" forum. No doubt most people here have seen other forums and groups for Panama and we all see how conversations seem to go down hill quite often. To maintain a "Nice" forum you would wind up over moderating it.

Originally Posted by snohobo

The fact of the matter is that you needed a room. You liked the place, were concerned that maybe he would rent it out to someone else. The way to guarantee your getting the room is to pay the deposit.

Everywhere I've ever lived - I've had to pay a deposit. Just be happy its $100 and not one months rent - which is what it usually is.

If you damage something - do you expect the owner to pay for it out of his pocket? Or your AC usage?

Utility split is common - even in Canada.

Did I say I wouldn't pay if something broke? You are putting words into my mouth & I don't appreciate that.

When I rented this room I'm in now, no deposit was required AND, I don't have to pay for utilities. Granted it's an apt., but even in an apt. utilities are usually extra (not sure about here in Panama).

Utilities for renting a room are usually included in the rental price & that's my experience in Canada.

All I wanted to know, is if this was normal b/c I didn't have to pay it where I am now & in the other ads I saw, it was NEVER mentioned, only when renting a house. That's all. I didn't have to be treated in this manner, just b/c of my simple NON ignorant question.

If you don't know why I'm asking a question, DON'T assume.

Turns out, the guy has a reputation for ripping people off, so I was CORRECT in asking these questions b/c someone PMed me to tell me this & so far the guy hasn't given me my money back & I am thinking he's playing games as suddenly his phone line is disconnected (he's probably blocking my number). I'll give it until Tues. & if he hasn't, then the person who contacted me is right.

Also he NEVER said a deposit was required in the ad.


Michelle