TOPIC:

Accommodation and Expense Arrangements

RESOURCES NEEDED:

Examples of Rental Agreements, Boarding Contracts etc.

LEARNING OPPORTUNITY:

As your son or daughter prepares to leave home, they need to give consideration to their new living circumstances and arrangements. Will they be a tenant with a lease? Will they be a boarder with “house rules?” Will they have a flatmate? What agreements have been established? Have any shared expenses been clarified and agreed upon? These are the types of questions that should be asked and answered. Only in this way will potentially difficult and costly situations be avoided.

THE ACTIVITY:

• Find some time to discuss with your son or daughter the accommodation situation that they face.
• Indicate to them that details of accommodation arrangements need to be worked out prior to moving in.
• If they are intending to be in a tenant situation then offer to review a typical lease agreement so that your son or daughter will understand some of the terms he or she will face before they sign any agreement.
• If they are going to be a boarder discuss with them how that is different from a lease situation and review any “house rules” that may exist in the new residence.
• Having determined the nature of the accommodation, discuss the implications of having a flatmate and what understandings should be clarified about behaviour and shared expenses before entering into the living arrangement.

FOLLOW UP IDEAS:

• Examine rental listings in the appropriate area to see various accommodations and related costs.
• Examine various “boarder” situations with your child.
• If they will be sharing an accommodation, have your son or daughter meet with the new roommate to clarify all understandings about conduct and shared expenses.

WEBSITES:

• Nolo – Typical Terms of Lease Agreements
  http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/free-books/renters-rights-book/chapter2-4.html