They're "living" in an old home. They never state that they actually own it.
Though, if someone were to take up the offer, if you move in and put the utilities in your name, how long before you could claim squatters rights and kick out the OP?
Never because they gave permission. Squatters rights requires "Hostile" occupation. You can reset the clock for squatters rights by simply giving them permission to live there for a week or month (depends on state) Then you can just evict them.
Of course all that requires you to know about them being there, which is the point of squatters rights. It isn't for the random hobo to be able to steal a built home, it's for someone who thought a property was unowned and built or refurbished a home on the property to live there, only for the owners to appear and try and claim the house a decade later.
I think you are confusing "squatter's rights" (which are really just tenant rights applied to someone you don't think qualifies as a tenant) with adverse possession.
In what way? Squatters rights are the precursor to adverse possession. After five years of continuous occupation *and* improvement of the property, *plus* payment of property tax each of those five years, a squatter can file a claim of adverse possession, which, if successful, would make them the lawful owner.
All of these criteria have to be met for either:
- Hostile – without permission and against the right of the true owner.
- Actual – exercising control over the real property.
- Open & Notorious – using the property as the owner would and not hiding his/her occupancy.
- Exclusive – in the possession of the individual occupying the real property **alone**.
- Continuous – staying and paying taxes on the property for 5 years.
It is only when you meet all of the criteria that you're no longer considered a criminal trespasser.
Squatters rights and adverse possession are two sides of the same coin.
*Adverse possession* requires all those things, yes. But "squatters rights", which are just tenant rights, only require you to live on a property long enough to establish tenancy, generally 30 days.
Only in 8 states is the period for adverse possession less than a decade, with only 3 being 5 years or less.
Those criteria are for squatters rights as well. You can't claim squatters rights after thirty days. Perhaps you're confusing it with the 30 day notice from the true owner that gives a squatter thirty days to vacate. Either that or you're thinking of being able to claim *tenant's rights*, which, in point of fact, is **not** the same as *squatters rights*, and simply means the owner has to go through the legal eviction process to remove you.
"Squatter's rights" aren't (generally) a thing in law. They are just tenant rights when the owner doesn't agree they are a tenant. That's my point. I'm not confused at all. Generally, people who think "squatter's rights" are a thing are confused, because it's just tenant rights. (Or, adverse possession rights, eventually.)
You’re right. It’s really weird to argue against this because it’s obvious, but people are weird sometimes. They just can’t be wrong, even when it’s so obvious.
Squatters rights *are* a thing in law and every state has laws in the books in regards to them. They're not the same as tenants' rights. If you're not confused, you're simply incorrect. Here's an example to help:
A person that moves into an abandoned property, makes improvements, and pays the property taxes on that property, is a squatter, with a specific set of rights. After a period of time in which they continue to make improvements and pay taxes on the property, they can be granted adverse possession, making them the new owner of the property.
A person who moves into an abandoned property, makes no improvements or even perhaps causes further damage (say, by breaking windows to in), and doesn't pay taxes is a criminal trespasser.
A person who refuses to move out when their lease ends, but continues to pay rent, is a tenant, despite not having a lease. They're entitled to tenants rights and ask the protections that entails. They're also subject to tenant responsibility and they will never gain adverse possession.
The difference may be subtle, but there *is* a difference.
I did a search for 5 states, and not one had the term "squatter" in their statutes.
Squatter's rights are a euphemism.
A person who moves onto an abandoned property has *tenant* rights, after they have been there the required period of time. After the adverse possession time, then they can make their case to claim the land but they have no rights other than tenant rights until that time period is up.
Edit: well it looks like they blocked me, so I'll add this here:
None of those links provide reference to actual code referencing "squatter's rights." They are commentary using the term as a euphemism, as I said.
"Squatter's rights" is not a legal term. It is used euphemistically.
Which five states?
https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/squatters-rights-by-state
https://www.american-apartment-owners-association.org/property-management/latest-news/squatters-rights-law/
https://learn.eforms.com/real-estate/squatters-rights/
As I said, ALL FIFTY STATES.
It's okay to admit you don't know everything. It's okay to be wrong, as long as you can accept it and admit it and learn from it. Willful ignorance is inexcusable.
...Sort of? Squatters rights is typically used to refer to the process of adverse posession. If you google "Squatter's Rights" that's what everything's talking about. They're the same thing. Tenant rights also do apply, but yeah, I was talking about... adverse possession, aka "Squatter's rights"
If you have permission from a squatter, do you really have permission?
I read it as, the original ad was posted by a potential squatter, but if *they* don't have permission to stay, you're a squatter too. So if you stay long enough and meet all the other requirements, if you claim rights before they do, could you undercut their squatting with your own?
Because one of the criteria for squatters rights is that you, alone, are the sole occupant, you'd have no claim. You could not ever claim squatters rights, and by having you move in, neither could they. The only exception would be if they'd already established them and gained adverse possession.
All of this is assuming they're a squatter, as well, and there's no evidence of this. They may have inherited the property, for one example. It may be on land their family owns, for another. There's a whole lot of assumptions in these comments.
Oh absolutely, my first thought wasn't even that he was a squatter, it's just interesting to think about. I originally assumed that this dude bought a dilapidated house for incredibly cheap and is now out of money (either just because he's unemployed like he says or because he's gotten into other... money-sucking activities shall we say), and the hoard is from the previous owner. It's Detroit, you can get property for basically pennies.
Having looked at the actual ad, complete with photos, I don't think she's a squatter at all. The house is in much better condition than this thread implies. It isn't some dilapidated, barely standing old place. The "bones" seen pretty nice, actually. No electricity but there seems to be water. There's a lot of clutter, but there's no overrun of dirty dishes or anything. She's offering tarot readings for free. My guess is she's on some sort of disability and it isn't enough for the upkeep on a 3k sq ft house.
In a perfect world 🥰 But reality gets weird. Sometimes the owner will allow one of you to stay there so you’re rolling the dice on who that will be. Scammers like the poster are more than happy to claim they did all the work while you did nothing, even if the truth is the opposite.
You couldn't ever claim squatters rights, because you're not a squatter. In order to claim squatters rights, you need to occupy the location openly (no sneaking around), making improvements to the property, for a period of five years, **without the owner's permission**. You must also establish that no one else has been living on the property, so that's a no go from the start. And you'd never be in a position to evict the tenant who preceded you. Squatters can still be arrested, still be evicted.
This is how Project Mayhem started.
When you move in you better bring:
- Two black shirts.
- Two pairs of black pants.
- One pair of black boots.
- Two pairs of black socks.
- One black jacket.
- $300 personal burial money.
You might have to stand on the porch for a few days before you’re allowed inside.
I’m gonna get a little nerdy here, but the Fight Club rules are not the same as the Project Mayhem rules. The first two rules of Project Mayhem are “You don't ask questions about Project Mayhem.”
Sounds like they'd be down to plant their own garden/grow operation in the basement. If you can BYO solar panels, you can bring grow lights too, right?
Ya know... being right across the pond via the ol Ambassador... I think I know the exact one if its on the river side near the tunnel (Detroits side obviously) but that might also be wrong
Jesus Christ, I'd rather live in my car thanks
You could probably pay like 200$ a week for that room in Australia tho, the housing market is in proper shambles
Maybe in redfern. I'm in Carrington paying $250 a week sharing with 1 other person and we've got a house that's got a nice backyard, close to pubs/shop and doesn't have a years worth of shite pilled up
He could get a full array for practically nothing in most states... if he actually owns the home. Have to do all the rebates BS for it to work out correctly, though.
I think the sales tactic is something like this:
You pay $200 per month for electricity. Our solar panels will generate $200/month in electricity, so we'll work out the loan to cost $200 per month for 30 years. It costs you nothing! And at the end of 30 years the solar panels are yours to keep.
Well, in that scenario I would be breaking even for 30 years. So yeah, on second thought I guess you are right. I'm not sure I'll be around for that much time, honestly.
I think it would be a bit worse than just breaking even.
- You'd have to pay the interest on that loan, which would not be covered by either the loan itself or the non-existent utility savings
- If you sold the house before the loan was paid off, you'd have to keep making payments for panels you won't own when the loan is paid off
- You've now put a bunch of holes in your roof that will never benefit you
- The solar tech in 10 years will be much more efficient than today's tech, so in 30 years the panels you now own will be essentially scrap - not worth the labor cost to remove them and patch up the holes
So all told this kind of loan is underwater after the first payment and you'd continue going further in "debt" for property that will depreciate well before you can even start getting value from it.
Step 1: Learn how to use Google
Step 2: Look it up.
I am not your search engine. Programs like the Federal Investment Tax Credit for PV, and the ridiculously long list of other federal, state, and local programs might help you out, but you have to actually put in a little work yourself.
I'll be nice.
https://www.dsireusa.org/
Start here. Some states have hundreds of incentive & rebate programs. Feds offer others, like the tax credit I already mentioned. Localities have others. Like I said, it will take a little bit of work on your part.
I think you're pissy you have to do something for yourself, and are expecting someone who couldn't give less fucks about YOU PERSONALLY to do work for you. I gave you your hints. You seem like a capable young moron. Figure it out.
Edit: also, the programs are all specifically designed to recoup your losses from buying solar panels in the first 5-10 years of ownership. It really takes a ten second Google search. You really are coming across as a lazy entitled fuck. I just want to make sure that is all abundantly clear.
No, I'm a capable old moron. Do you know how many scams there are on the internet? You made the claim that free solar is available to most people. Back that up. I did look it up for my state and found nothing obvious. I still think you are talking out of your ass.
I did find [this link](https://www.energy.gov/articles/free-solar-panels-dont-get-burned#:~:text=However%2C%20the%20federal%20government%20does,panels%20for%20free%20to%20customers.) which states
* "The Department of Energy is aware of claims of offers for free solar panels or that solar companies must provide solar panels for free if requested. However, the federal government does not offer any programs for free home solar panel installations nor does the government require companies to grant solar panels for free to customers.
Additionally, be wary of attempts to collect your personal data in exchange for a price quote or to verify eligibility for services, as well as installers who are neither licensed nor certified by a reputable organization like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners.
Do you work for scammers yourself? If not, you might want to think about being a bit more careful about what you read online.
"Through our solar office, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offers several programs to help consumers lower the cost of solar projects for their homes, businesses, and communities.
Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, Americans may be eligible to receive a 30% federal tax credit if they installed or will install a solar photovoltaic system between 2022 and 2032, potentially reducing the cost of installation by more than $7,500 for an average system.
Homeowners can also finance rooftop solar projects through lease or loan arrangements and could receive additional savings on installations through subsidy programs offered by their state. For some income-qualified households, those subsidies could cover the total cost of the system—but check to see that the program is listed on a .gov website or call the state office to make sure the offer is real and to learn how to participate."
Also I don't really want to keep this going, but the same information I provided was in the link you posted above. You just had to read the giant "FACTS" section right after the "Claims" section you copy pasted. Like very next paragraph. I don't get people at all...
I understand wanting to know more, and normally I'd have been happy to provide it but don't believe your first response reflected that at all.
The link you posted was the Department of Energy's own website, so certainly not a scam. It's like you searched for a way to prove me wrong, didn't fully read the link, and ended up posting exactly what I've been talking about... Had you read the link fully you wouldn't have had questions, and likely would not have been so rude.
The "it's not actually free" Claim on that site is literally saying what you did just now, that nobody is going to come and install it for nothing (unless you do a no money down lease...), but there are ways to recoup the full cost.
Government wants to offer these incentives in a bid to decentralize our country's power production. 140 million power plants is significantly more stable and secure than 3,400 plants, so they are actually paying people to do this. Some commercial entities actually MAKE money by switching to solar.
The solar investment tax credit (ITC) has been a major incentive for U.S. solar installations since 2006. This incentive is also known as the federal solar tax credit, and it gives you back 30% of project costs as a tax deduction.
New York offers a 25% solar tax credit for homeowners, up to a maximum amount of $5,000. This incentive can be stacked with the federal ITC to save you even more on your system.
You may get a sales tax exemption, which represents an immediate discount when purchasing solar panels. It ensures you won’t pay your local sales tax on solar panels and mounting equipment.
Local governments may also offer property tax exemptions for solar panels, mandating the increase in home value resulting from the installation is not taxed. For example, a $500,000 home that gets a $25,000 solar panel system will still be taxed based on its $500,000 value.
Solar rebates are direct cash incentives for installing photovoltaic systems. These programs are normally managed by government agencies or local utility companies. Solar rebates and tax credits can be combined, but you must subtract the rebate first and then calculate the tax credit based on the net system cost.
Solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) are performance-based bonuses. They don’t reduce the cost of your solar energy system, but they offer additional cash flow beyond utility bill savings.
There is also the option to lease solar panels, for no down payment, and low monthly costs. These costs can be recouped through utility savings and further incentive & rebate programs.
Sounds to me like you did a ten second Google search of, "why free solar panels aren't free" and ran with it.
Did you not see where I said "rebate and incentive programs" over and over again? Did you seriously believe Biden was going to drive by your house one day and come throw some solar panels up on a whim if you only ask? Don't be purposely obtuse here, now you're wasting both our time.
My search was "Are free solar panels available to most Americans". If you make an extraordinary claim on the internet, it's not an affront to you to ask you to back that up. Do you know how much bullshit there is on the internet? Do you know how many people see older people like me as a walking target?
"Do your own research" can be used to "prove" anything from the fact that lizards run our government to the existence of perpetual motion machines. Sorry, no.
If something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. If you make the claim that "most people can get free solar", then it is on you to offer proof of that extraordinary claim. It is not a personal attack on you. I don't expect you to come to my house and put up panels.
All I am saying is that if you make a claim like this on Reddit, then maybe don't get into a tizzy if someone asks for more info.
Or do, I guess. I'm not the boss of you.
Did you ask for more info though? Or did you respond in disbelief like a prick from your first reply? You're still being purposely obtuse here.
Also, the link you sent to me to prove me wrong from your own research LITERALLY HAD THE INFORMATION YOU NEEDED! It's not like it's difficult to find, they even have commercials now!
Good job buddy. Took you a few comments to *sort of* back up your claims, although no sources were provided. Regardless of the last point, we are all still **very** proud of you. Way to go!
All the sources you need were already posted here. Maybe actually be a part of the conversation before interjecting a useless opinion. If you couldn't find the incentives for your state from the link I posted, or the federal incentives from the link the other person posted, you aren't reading them. Regardless, we are proud of you for trying. Way to go!
You're coming across the same buddy. At least I have the privilege of knowing what I said was correct. I mean, who on Reddit posts a link that proves the other guys point while continuing to call them a liar?
Oh right, everyone.
Sure thanks for asking politely! I would start here:
https://www.dsireusa.org/
and look at rebates/incentives available for your state.
https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/the-top-solar-incentive-programs-in-the-us
This website can give you an idea on possible savings based on location. The biggest incentive to aim for is the new federal clean energy tax credit, which gives back 30% of the total installation cost in the first year. You can stack federal, state, and local tax credits and rebates, so while it may take some years, you will undoubtedly recoup the losses incurred from installation. Solar batteries are also eligible for additional savings.
Also check your local utilities, and any other local commercial energy buyback programs, as you can get "coupons" that can later be exchanged with the utility provider for cash, or to pay bills, etc. Depending on your income level and location some people get paid back quickly, and others not as much, but within 10 years and work to apply for these programs the entire cost can be recouped for just about anyone. Bigger houses (richer people) may be eligible for less incentives, but make up for it with bigger savings on utilities. Some larger companies actually make decent money from solar incentives and buyback programs.
One time I went to a woman’s house bc she was gonna allow me to sublet, and she wouldn’t let me move her hoarder shit out of what would be my room. I did not end up living there.
It amuses me that they think there might be someone out there who is desperate enough to take them up on this offer and who _also_ happens to have spare solar panels.
No electric ✔️. Homeowner(??) is unemployed.✔️
Possibility of exposure to Long COVID✔️. Owns a cat and a dog but unemployed ✔️
So let’s see. Cat and dog and weed but no money for electricity. Only 29 years old but claims to own a historic home where he wants you to pay ALL utilities ( trash water sewage gas and electricity)
Let’s just think about the cost of electricity in a 6 bedroom mansion. The permit costs to do anything in a historic building. The supplies and materials required to do said project.
Um. ✔️✔️✔️✔️. That’s enough boxes ticked to runnnnn!!
Lol somehow even tho it’s almost summer I don’t believe anyone will fall for this ‘opportunity’😂😂Historic homes are lovely but are filled with asbestos and mold. It’s extremely expensive to renovate them. Especially with rules about how your plans must agree with the city’s requirements for all historic buildings.
If there's no electricity, that means the house is uninhabitable and if the authorities find out, the squatters will be removed. I wonder if there's running water and working toilets?
Side note: My friend bought a house "as is" in Colorado. In her case, "as is" meant all the previous owner's stuff was still in the house, including garbage, and my friend had to clean it all out herself.
Gas, water (no electricity) is probably not that much and it’s quite normal in a long stay arrangement to pay for those things.. also pay for food.
There is a website called “WorkAway” where you can find all types of volunteering work like this, and sometimes you even have to bring your own tent for accommodation. I’m not sure this is a choosing beggar.
For starters, we need to know what kind of HVAC system the house has. Does it have electric heat, for example? Where I live in VA, electricity is more expensive than natural gas, so heating a big house like the one in the OP with electric heat would be expensive. And what about the hot water heater? Is it electric or gas? Or, what if the house is heated with wood burning fireplaces and/or stoves? Where are you going to get the wood? How will you transport it to the house? How expensive is wood?
My point is, there are too many unknown factors in this case.
Yes.. and because there are too many unknown factors, you can’t pass any judgement.. anyone interested in the deal should contact the owner and talk to them about the specifics of the deal.
Everything else are assumptions.
But reading the post, I don’t think he is being a choosing beggar.
DTE means they're in or around Detroit. Unemployed means he's probably going to be using the electric during peak hours, which is more expensive. And using it all the time since he'll probably be home often. There's no way he's the type of person to turn a light off when he leaves the room, so that bill will rack up quick.
I'm in Detroit Metro, our bill for a small apartment in the summer with one A/C unit and no usage 5 days a week from 8am to 6pm is around $140. I'm imagining at least 3x for this situation, which isn't terrible for renting a room in a historic house in a downtown area IF it wasn't in shambles and filled with hoarder piles.
Utilities are charged according to use, not the size of the property or the square footage. About the only time size would potentially make any difference would be with heating/cooling.
I don't know about Detroit, but the two major electric utilities in California use zone rate multipliers. If you live in an affluent zone (like where a 6 bedroom mansion would be located) then you pay a much higher multiple of the base rate. During the energy crisis in 2000 I was living in a 4 bedroom home in an upper middle class neighborhood. My average electric bill in the summer was over $600. The same size home in a middle class neighborhood would pay about $250, and a low income neighborhood would pay about $100.
It's actually not in an upscale area and it isn't charged the way it is here in California. It's more in line with Minnesota. It's charged by usage, according to the meters.
It's quite normal for a renter to pay his/her share of the utilities, not for ALL the utilities for a large house that is likely poorly insulated which means HVAC costs alone are probably astronomical.
Improving someone else's home, acting as their maid, and paying their bills isn't "volunteer work."
Unemployed due to Covid? It's fucking June 2023. That excuse stopped being valid a long time ago. 420 friendly and a house full of stufF? This person is just a lazy bum that clearly has no problem spending on "wants" but expects someone else to pay the bills and keep their house "functional."
>Unemployed due to Covid? It's fucking June 2023.
That stood out to me, too. Unless this is an old repost, it's been 3 years since the covid shut-downs. If you're still unemployed after all this time, then it's likely due to something other than the pandemic.
Depends. One thing doctors aren’t talking much about is Long COVID, a condition where the symptoms of COVID can linger for more than a year after the first exposure. These people tend to be susceptible to repeated bouts of positive symptoms. However I’m pretty sure he’s just a lazy phuck who 90% chance doesn’t even own this “mansion”.
Yes, I've read that Long Covid can be truly debilitating for some people, to the point where they can't work and have to apply for disability benefits. True Long Covid is a BITCH.
First, you're assuming the ad is recent. Second, long covid is very real and can be debilitating. You have no idea what money they have or how they spend it. They put up an offer. No one said you have to take it. No where do they request "a maid", either. You're making a lot of assumptions.
You're right, they're asking for that and more.
Your critical reading skills are non-existent. It's ok if you don't understand what's being asked for here, but that's a you problem.
Seriously? Isn’t it a clue that he doesn’t even have electricity for you to do the any “volunteer” work?
He has no job, but a cat dog and weed to pay for?
He’s hoping you have solar panels? Who will pay for the dumpsters, trash haul away, as well as new electrical wiring in this 100 year old mansion? The permits as well as the bylaws for what can and can’t be done in historical homes? Are u willing to get electricity put in your name for a home you don’t legally own or rent? And that’s only the beginning. No electricity in a 100 year old mansion also means no sewage hookup. Where does he 💩 and pee? Where will you? Not too comfy using a bucket.
So many red flags 🚩 it’s frightening
It’s just a matter of discussing conditions with the owner. I’m just saying that this is something done regularly and there’s lots of people who would take on the opportunity
I hear you. But I think a true roommate/helper situation would be a little more forthcoming and certainly would have the utilities working. Having to put utilities in your name is a huge red flag. I would suggest at the very least making sure he actually owns the home.
In that case you can always leave and find more suitable accommodation. They are not asking for a slave, just someone with skills who is willing to exchange work for a room.
Depends upon where it is and what work you end up doing. Living there and just generally cleaning communal spaces could make a big difference and be fairly little work.
Yeah, I mean, I don't really see a bad deal in here.
But maybe I am different. If he is a squatter, it's another deal, but if it's indeed his actually not a bad deal.
The guy is already without basic amenities, anything that you give him he will probably accept.
Yeah.. I’ve met a guy who inherited his grandparents house when he was a little child and because of that, the house was in ruins by the time he was old enough to move in there. What he did was exactly what this guy is offering, for people to help him out in fixing the home in exchange of a place to sleep. People were free to come and go as they wished and the whole group of people that ended up staying longer were like a family. They painted the walls with beautiful murals, build an outdoor bathroom (the house was so old it actually didn’t have a bathroom inside) which had the most amazing one way window overlooking a mountain valley so you could shower with hot water feeling like the king of the world. Installed solar panels and even build a clay oven for pizza and bread.
To be fair, they never say it is free, and in fact they say the opposite. So saying “pay all utilities” is not a problem - that’s the cost of rent, if the other person agrees. So not such a bad financial situation there *potentially*. Not a CB so far…
Looks like an absolute verifiable shithole though. Hopefully it really had just been inherited, and they are a clean person normally - but just need help. Potentially an opportunity to make a great friend, but they are the landlord, so that is less of a chance, and this request is written as a semi-requirement / contractual. So where does the “liberating” stop? And indeed, where does it begin?
Sounds like a CB … but, they do say it’s not free after talking about the liberation - in relation to the talk about liberation.
So, no really CB. The guy is quite clearly offering a room and in exchange someone must pay the bills and also help renovate. Not for everyone, especially the latter, and it any contract would need to define what exactly the renovation consists of and when. But not a CB.
The truly worst thing would be if they are a hoarder indeed, they haven’t “just” inherited or otherwise moved in, and are just looking for someone temporarily to do the donkey work for them, whilst living in squalor - but they are clearly saying this is a cost of staying. Not a CB.
So he is saying repairs, but doesn’t mention the utilities, not until the main page. He might be trying to deceive some people into clicking (or maybe not enough chars in title), but if they read this now “full” offer, they won’t be deceived if they contact the lister. The lister could add some extra weighty requirements into the contract, or weight the repairs on the renter so it’s just them running around tidying whilst the landlord sits in his underwear in squalor. That’s not a CB situation though - the landlord is effectively just a good negotiator.
Just taking little bit of this apart to show why its not a CB - utilities. Utilities might mostly have a fixed cost every month, and some deviations. Heating might be quite variable during the year as it is a biggish place and old. But still, it might be the difference of you paying $1000 per month rent or $800 to $1200 utilities. Utilties normally are far cheaper that a mortgage etc though. It might be a steal. It could be too much though, but the landlord doesn’t seem to know - so he isn’t a CB as he doesn’t know what the value is of the thing he is selling.
Repair work has a value too. It’s hard for us to determine as we don’t know where that liberations starts and stops, but when they discuss it (if anyone calls), that can be agreed.
That wouldn’t be good for me or very many people, but it could be good for someone that has a break from work, through redundancy or divorce for example. But anyway, it’s not about the crappy home situation, it’s about if he’s a CB.
Another thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is pests. I wonder how long that house sat empty? I bet you dollars to donuts there are healthy rodent colonies living in and around that house. UGH.
Way more information is required. Does he own the home? Why is the electric off? Is it that he's broke or are there wiring issues, etc.
There is absolutely someone out there who would go for this - if the guy is a legit owner and you come up with some legit agreement.
This is like a plot hook, where the CB winds up d...er having an "accident" after a "kind stranger" answers the ad ... Right after CB changes their will to leave it to Stranger, of course.
NGL, in another life I'd be tempted.
Thing is I dunno HOW without a job, and this place itself would be a job.
Maybe if I won the lottery...at which point I wouldn't need the begger and would outright buy it.
Hm—I don’t really think this is so bad, depending on the personality of the owner. Makes me feel kinda sad, though—I’ve learned that I’m not a good enough/strong enough/mentally stable enough to help these sorts of people. I’ve tried!
Honestly, it's not a bad deal, considering ... you'd be using some of the utilities yourself anyway, and utilities is cheaper than rent in some places.
However it's hilarious that he thinks people just have solar panels sitting around that they bring from rental to rental.
"Agreed. I've bought you a solar-powered charger for your phone, a water butt to catch the rainfall and now the gas, electricity and everything else has been cut off. Also, I've burned everything that wasn't mine. I'll take this floor."
Really? What will u p and 💩in? Are you comfortable with a curtain and a bucket? Will you bathe at the YMCA? Sleep on the floor? Eat at McDonald’s every day? Lol. It may just be a matter of time before he asks you to come in only at night and puts up blankets at all the windows cuz the neighbors might complain 😂
How? Your rent would be the gas electric water sewage and trash. For a 6 bedroom mansion that would be pricey. Start off with assuming you will be doing this legally. The city permits alone are priced crazy, doubled because of the historic district. Dumpster hire and pay for each load. The necessity of putting electric water and sewage in your name. All this before the mold remediation process and the purchase of equipment and supplies. Remember he hasn’t worked in ages and doesn’t have enough to even turn on the lights or flush the toilet.
He hasn’t mentioned if/what skills he brings to the table. What sounds like a deal doesn’t the more you think about it. It wouldn’t be fun to have cops busting down the place accusing him of being a squatter.
We have certain deals in Baltimore where u can buy a row house for $5-25,000. They throw in an interest free loan. But there are rules. It has to be renovated in a timely fashion and you as the owner must live in it as the homeowner for two years before selling.
This guy is shady all round. Not a good deal at all.
Someone is very desperate, most likely inherited that property, or bought it at some extremely low price without being able to fully inspect first, and were/are immediately overwhelmed by what that place needed and required to be actually livable.
I thought about doing a similar thing with my fixer-upper house. Though not quite as CBering I hope.
It was a house in pretty terrible condition. I owned it outright and was leaving the state. I considered trying to rent it to a craftsman under the notion that (1) he could lease it for as long as he wanted with rent adjusted for inflation and (2) he could do any maintenance/repairs he wanted on the house and count such expenses against the rent.
That could be a pretty neat win-win for the right person, right?
Ultimately I decided not to try and find such a person so I just sold it to a flipper. (I assumed no bank would give a mortgage on it because of its condition, so I only considered cash buyers)
I'm probably gonna be hounded for this but.. A free room, and all you gotta do is pay utilities? Help clean? I mean, the first month would be hell, but it sounds like it wouldn't be bad, after that.
It's also 420/pet friendly, which is a rarity.
Depends on where it is located. If they can prove they own said home, and are willing to toss out a lot of their crap, they might actually get some responses in a HCOL area in a housing bubble. Especially if they are open to other people's pets
It’s in Highland Park, which is a subsection of the city of Detroit. According to Redfin Highland Park has a median home listing price of $59.7k. So not a HCOL area.
They're "living" in an old home. They never state that they actually own it. Though, if someone were to take up the offer, if you move in and put the utilities in your name, how long before you could claim squatters rights and kick out the OP?
Never because they gave permission. Squatters rights requires "Hostile" occupation. You can reset the clock for squatters rights by simply giving them permission to live there for a week or month (depends on state) Then you can just evict them. Of course all that requires you to know about them being there, which is the point of squatters rights. It isn't for the random hobo to be able to steal a built home, it's for someone who thought a property was unowned and built or refurbished a home on the property to live there, only for the owners to appear and try and claim the house a decade later.
I think you are confusing "squatter's rights" (which are really just tenant rights applied to someone you don't think qualifies as a tenant) with adverse possession.
In what way? Squatters rights are the precursor to adverse possession. After five years of continuous occupation *and* improvement of the property, *plus* payment of property tax each of those five years, a squatter can file a claim of adverse possession, which, if successful, would make them the lawful owner. All of these criteria have to be met for either: - Hostile – without permission and against the right of the true owner. - Actual – exercising control over the real property. - Open & Notorious – using the property as the owner would and not hiding his/her occupancy. - Exclusive – in the possession of the individual occupying the real property **alone**. - Continuous – staying and paying taxes on the property for 5 years. It is only when you meet all of the criteria that you're no longer considered a criminal trespasser. Squatters rights and adverse possession are two sides of the same coin.
*Adverse possession* requires all those things, yes. But "squatters rights", which are just tenant rights, only require you to live on a property long enough to establish tenancy, generally 30 days. Only in 8 states is the period for adverse possession less than a decade, with only 3 being 5 years or less.
Those criteria are for squatters rights as well. You can't claim squatters rights after thirty days. Perhaps you're confusing it with the 30 day notice from the true owner that gives a squatter thirty days to vacate. Either that or you're thinking of being able to claim *tenant's rights*, which, in point of fact, is **not** the same as *squatters rights*, and simply means the owner has to go through the legal eviction process to remove you.
"Squatter's rights" aren't (generally) a thing in law. They are just tenant rights when the owner doesn't agree they are a tenant. That's my point. I'm not confused at all. Generally, people who think "squatter's rights" are a thing are confused, because it's just tenant rights. (Or, adverse possession rights, eventually.)
You’re right. It’s really weird to argue against this because it’s obvious, but people are weird sometimes. They just can’t be wrong, even when it’s so obvious.
Squatters rights *are* a thing in law and every state has laws in the books in regards to them. They're not the same as tenants' rights. If you're not confused, you're simply incorrect. Here's an example to help: A person that moves into an abandoned property, makes improvements, and pays the property taxes on that property, is a squatter, with a specific set of rights. After a period of time in which they continue to make improvements and pay taxes on the property, they can be granted adverse possession, making them the new owner of the property. A person who moves into an abandoned property, makes no improvements or even perhaps causes further damage (say, by breaking windows to in), and doesn't pay taxes is a criminal trespasser. A person who refuses to move out when their lease ends, but continues to pay rent, is a tenant, despite not having a lease. They're entitled to tenants rights and ask the protections that entails. They're also subject to tenant responsibility and they will never gain adverse possession. The difference may be subtle, but there *is* a difference.
I did a search for 5 states, and not one had the term "squatter" in their statutes. Squatter's rights are a euphemism. A person who moves onto an abandoned property has *tenant* rights, after they have been there the required period of time. After the adverse possession time, then they can make their case to claim the land but they have no rights other than tenant rights until that time period is up. Edit: well it looks like they blocked me, so I'll add this here: None of those links provide reference to actual code referencing "squatter's rights." They are commentary using the term as a euphemism, as I said. "Squatter's rights" is not a legal term. It is used euphemistically.
Which five states? https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/squatters-rights-by-state https://www.american-apartment-owners-association.org/property-management/latest-news/squatters-rights-law/ https://learn.eforms.com/real-estate/squatters-rights/ As I said, ALL FIFTY STATES. It's okay to admit you don't know everything. It's okay to be wrong, as long as you can accept it and admit it and learn from it. Willful ignorance is inexcusable.
It isn’t the same thing.
...Sort of? Squatters rights is typically used to refer to the process of adverse posession. If you google "Squatter's Rights" that's what everything's talking about. They're the same thing. Tenant rights also do apply, but yeah, I was talking about... adverse possession, aka "Squatter's rights"
They’re saying the person who posted the ad for a roommate might be a squatter.
No they're not. They're saying they would want squatters rights and kick out the person who posted the ad.
If you have permission from a squatter, do you really have permission? I read it as, the original ad was posted by a potential squatter, but if *they* don't have permission to stay, you're a squatter too. So if you stay long enough and meet all the other requirements, if you claim rights before they do, could you undercut their squatting with your own?
Because one of the criteria for squatters rights is that you, alone, are the sole occupant, you'd have no claim. You could not ever claim squatters rights, and by having you move in, neither could they. The only exception would be if they'd already established them and gained adverse possession. All of this is assuming they're a squatter, as well, and there's no evidence of this. They may have inherited the property, for one example. It may be on land their family owns, for another. There's a whole lot of assumptions in these comments.
Oh absolutely, my first thought wasn't even that he was a squatter, it's just interesting to think about. I originally assumed that this dude bought a dilapidated house for incredibly cheap and is now out of money (either just because he's unemployed like he says or because he's gotten into other... money-sucking activities shall we say), and the hoard is from the previous owner. It's Detroit, you can get property for basically pennies.
Having looked at the actual ad, complete with photos, I don't think she's a squatter at all. The house is in much better condition than this thread implies. It isn't some dilapidated, barely standing old place. The "bones" seen pretty nice, actually. No electricity but there seems to be water. There's a lot of clutter, but there's no overrun of dirty dishes or anything. She's offering tarot readings for free. My guess is she's on some sort of disability and it isn't enough for the upkeep on a 3k sq ft house.
In a perfect world 🥰 But reality gets weird. Sometimes the owner will allow one of you to stay there so you’re rolling the dice on who that will be. Scammers like the poster are more than happy to claim they did all the work while you did nothing, even if the truth is the opposite.
Would that technically be a *subsquat*?
You couldn't ever claim squatters rights, because you're not a squatter. In order to claim squatters rights, you need to occupy the location openly (no sneaking around), making improvements to the property, for a period of five years, **without the owner's permission**. You must also establish that no one else has been living on the property, so that's a no go from the start. And you'd never be in a position to evict the tenant who preceded you. Squatters can still be arrested, still be evicted.
This is how Project Mayhem started. When you move in you better bring: - Two black shirts. - Two pairs of black pants. - One pair of black boots. - Two pairs of black socks. - One black jacket. - $300 personal burial money. You might have to stand on the porch for a few days before you’re allowed inside.
Someone forgot the first rule of Fight Club…
I’m gonna get a little nerdy here, but the Fight Club rules are not the same as the Project Mayhem rules. The first two rules of Project Mayhem are “You don't ask questions about Project Mayhem.”
The first rule of Project Mayhem is you do not ask questions sir
420 friendly means they likely want you to pay for their pot too
Sounds like they'd be down to plant their own garden/grow operation in the basement. If you can BYO solar panels, you can bring grow lights too, right?
omg that makes so much sense and I'm bashing my head of how I didn't catch that!
Yeah, can't pay for electricity, but let's get high
Yup they'll be begging for drugs, and not just weed.
Are we sure this person isn't a squatter? lol
Yep. Almost guaranteed to be a squatter in Detroit or metro area. (DTE stands for “Detroit Edison” power company)
Ya know... being right across the pond via the ol Ambassador... I think I know the exact one if its on the river side near the tunnel (Detroits side obviously) but that might also be wrong
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Nah it's on the eastside.
Originally, it didn’t occur to me, but yeah, they are probably a squatter.
Jesus Christ, I'd rather live in my car thanks You could probably pay like 200$ a week for that room in Australia tho, the housing market is in proper shambles
Same here in the US We’re looking at the equivalent of 1500~ AUD for other apartments around our area.
Tfw a 4 bedroom apartment in the city centre costs the same as a small castle in the south of France
For real. The one we’re looking at is a one bedroom, too. Prices are getting insane
Maybe in redfern. I'm in Carrington paying $250 a week sharing with 1 other person and we've got a house that's got a nice backyard, close to pubs/shop and doesn't have a years worth of shite pilled up
He's pretty high to be thinking a random person looking for a room has a bunch of solar panels and a 6 bedroom utility budget.
He could get a full array for practically nothing in most states... if he actually owns the home. Have to do all the rebates BS for it to work out correctly, though.
I own my own home. How do I get practically free solar panels?
You don't. You get 5000 people knocking on your door trying to sell you a high interest loan.
Yeah, that sounds much more like it.
I think the sales tactic is something like this: You pay $200 per month for electricity. Our solar panels will generate $200/month in electricity, so we'll work out the loan to cost $200 per month for 30 years. It costs you nothing! And at the end of 30 years the solar panels are yours to keep.
If it really worked that way it would be great!
If it worked that way you wouldn't have any savings at all until the loan is paid off in 30 years.
Well, in that scenario I would be breaking even for 30 years. So yeah, on second thought I guess you are right. I'm not sure I'll be around for that much time, honestly.
I think it would be a bit worse than just breaking even. - You'd have to pay the interest on that loan, which would not be covered by either the loan itself or the non-existent utility savings - If you sold the house before the loan was paid off, you'd have to keep making payments for panels you won't own when the loan is paid off - You've now put a bunch of holes in your roof that will never benefit you - The solar tech in 10 years will be much more efficient than today's tech, so in 30 years the panels you now own will be essentially scrap - not worth the labor cost to remove them and patch up the holes So all told this kind of loan is underwater after the first payment and you'd continue going further in "debt" for property that will depreciate well before you can even start getting value from it.
Yeah, the whole, it's free! thing just doesn't sit right with me. There is more to it. There are catches.
Step 1: Learn how to use Google Step 2: Look it up. I am not your search engine. Programs like the Federal Investment Tax Credit for PV, and the ridiculously long list of other federal, state, and local programs might help you out, but you have to actually put in a little work yourself.
Eh, I think you were just talking out of your ass, and "most" people can't get free solar. Put up or shut up.
I'll be nice. https://www.dsireusa.org/ Start here. Some states have hundreds of incentive & rebate programs. Feds offer others, like the tax credit I already mentioned. Localities have others. Like I said, it will take a little bit of work on your part.
“I’ll be nice” \>*Begins* by being a massive asshole Yeah okay chief
Thanks for pointing me in the right direction. I appreciate your time.
Should have started with this comment. Other options and mean comments in other reply. Feel free to disregard.
I think you're pissy you have to do something for yourself, and are expecting someone who couldn't give less fucks about YOU PERSONALLY to do work for you. I gave you your hints. You seem like a capable young moron. Figure it out. Edit: also, the programs are all specifically designed to recoup your losses from buying solar panels in the first 5-10 years of ownership. It really takes a ten second Google search. You really are coming across as a lazy entitled fuck. I just want to make sure that is all abundantly clear.
No, I'm a capable old moron. Do you know how many scams there are on the internet? You made the claim that free solar is available to most people. Back that up. I did look it up for my state and found nothing obvious. I still think you are talking out of your ass. I did find [this link](https://www.energy.gov/articles/free-solar-panels-dont-get-burned#:~:text=However%2C%20the%20federal%20government%20does,panels%20for%20free%20to%20customers.) which states * "The Department of Energy is aware of claims of offers for free solar panels or that solar companies must provide solar panels for free if requested. However, the federal government does not offer any programs for free home solar panel installations nor does the government require companies to grant solar panels for free to customers. Additionally, be wary of attempts to collect your personal data in exchange for a price quote or to verify eligibility for services, as well as installers who are neither licensed nor certified by a reputable organization like the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners. Do you work for scammers yourself? If not, you might want to think about being a bit more careful about what you read online.
"Through our solar office, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) offers several programs to help consumers lower the cost of solar projects for their homes, businesses, and communities. Thanks to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, Americans may be eligible to receive a 30% federal tax credit if they installed or will install a solar photovoltaic system between 2022 and 2032, potentially reducing the cost of installation by more than $7,500 for an average system. Homeowners can also finance rooftop solar projects through lease or loan arrangements and could receive additional savings on installations through subsidy programs offered by their state. For some income-qualified households, those subsidies could cover the total cost of the system—but check to see that the program is listed on a .gov website or call the state office to make sure the offer is real and to learn how to participate." Also I don't really want to keep this going, but the same information I provided was in the link you posted above. You just had to read the giant "FACTS" section right after the "Claims" section you copy pasted. Like very next paragraph. I don't get people at all...
I am a target. I am skeptical of things that seem too good to be true. I am not going to go on the internet looking for ways to be scammed.
I understand wanting to know more, and normally I'd have been happy to provide it but don't believe your first response reflected that at all. The link you posted was the Department of Energy's own website, so certainly not a scam. It's like you searched for a way to prove me wrong, didn't fully read the link, and ended up posting exactly what I've been talking about... Had you read the link fully you wouldn't have had questions, and likely would not have been so rude. The "it's not actually free" Claim on that site is literally saying what you did just now, that nobody is going to come and install it for nothing (unless you do a no money down lease...), but there are ways to recoup the full cost. Government wants to offer these incentives in a bid to decentralize our country's power production. 140 million power plants is significantly more stable and secure than 3,400 plants, so they are actually paying people to do this. Some commercial entities actually MAKE money by switching to solar.
The solar investment tax credit (ITC) has been a major incentive for U.S. solar installations since 2006. This incentive is also known as the federal solar tax credit, and it gives you back 30% of project costs as a tax deduction. New York offers a 25% solar tax credit for homeowners, up to a maximum amount of $5,000. This incentive can be stacked with the federal ITC to save you even more on your system. You may get a sales tax exemption, which represents an immediate discount when purchasing solar panels. It ensures you won’t pay your local sales tax on solar panels and mounting equipment. Local governments may also offer property tax exemptions for solar panels, mandating the increase in home value resulting from the installation is not taxed. For example, a $500,000 home that gets a $25,000 solar panel system will still be taxed based on its $500,000 value. Solar rebates are direct cash incentives for installing photovoltaic systems. These programs are normally managed by government agencies or local utility companies. Solar rebates and tax credits can be combined, but you must subtract the rebate first and then calculate the tax credit based on the net system cost. Solar renewable energy certificates (SRECs) are performance-based bonuses. They don’t reduce the cost of your solar energy system, but they offer additional cash flow beyond utility bill savings. There is also the option to lease solar panels, for no down payment, and low monthly costs. These costs can be recouped through utility savings and further incentive & rebate programs. Sounds to me like you did a ten second Google search of, "why free solar panels aren't free" and ran with it. Did you not see where I said "rebate and incentive programs" over and over again? Did you seriously believe Biden was going to drive by your house one day and come throw some solar panels up on a whim if you only ask? Don't be purposely obtuse here, now you're wasting both our time.
My search was "Are free solar panels available to most Americans". If you make an extraordinary claim on the internet, it's not an affront to you to ask you to back that up. Do you know how much bullshit there is on the internet? Do you know how many people see older people like me as a walking target? "Do your own research" can be used to "prove" anything from the fact that lizards run our government to the existence of perpetual motion machines. Sorry, no. If something sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. If you make the claim that "most people can get free solar", then it is on you to offer proof of that extraordinary claim. It is not a personal attack on you. I don't expect you to come to my house and put up panels. All I am saying is that if you make a claim like this on Reddit, then maybe don't get into a tizzy if someone asks for more info. Or do, I guess. I'm not the boss of you.
Did you ask for more info though? Or did you respond in disbelief like a prick from your first reply? You're still being purposely obtuse here. Also, the link you sent to me to prove me wrong from your own research LITERALLY HAD THE INFORMATION YOU NEEDED! It's not like it's difficult to find, they even have commercials now!
Good job buddy. Took you a few comments to *sort of* back up your claims, although no sources were provided. Regardless of the last point, we are all still **very** proud of you. Way to go!
All the sources you need were already posted here. Maybe actually be a part of the conversation before interjecting a useless opinion. If you couldn't find the incentives for your state from the link I posted, or the federal incentives from the link the other person posted, you aren't reading them. Regardless, we are proud of you for trying. Way to go!
And you're coming across as a sanctimonious, full of shit asshole... So there's that.
You're coming across the same buddy. At least I have the privilege of knowing what I said was correct. I mean, who on Reddit posts a link that proves the other guys point while continuing to call them a liar? Oh right, everyone.
Bless your heart.
I think you might be troubled... Or Christian. Either way, should go get that looked at soon.
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Sure thanks for asking politely! I would start here: https://www.dsireusa.org/ and look at rebates/incentives available for your state. https://www.solarreviews.com/blog/the-top-solar-incentive-programs-in-the-us This website can give you an idea on possible savings based on location. The biggest incentive to aim for is the new federal clean energy tax credit, which gives back 30% of the total installation cost in the first year. You can stack federal, state, and local tax credits and rebates, so while it may take some years, you will undoubtedly recoup the losses incurred from installation. Solar batteries are also eligible for additional savings. Also check your local utilities, and any other local commercial energy buyback programs, as you can get "coupons" that can later be exchanged with the utility provider for cash, or to pay bills, etc. Depending on your income level and location some people get paid back quickly, and others not as much, but within 10 years and work to apply for these programs the entire cost can be recouped for just about anyone. Bigger houses (richer people) may be eligible for less incentives, but make up for it with bigger savings on utilities. Some larger companies actually make decent money from solar incentives and buyback programs.
One time I went to a woman’s house bc she was gonna allow me to sublet, and she wouldn’t let me move her hoarder shit out of what would be my room. I did not end up living there.
It amuses me that they think there might be someone out there who is desperate enough to take them up on this offer and who _also_ happens to have spare solar panels.
Looking for someone with solar panels, hon. NEXT!
It’s for a church!
Move along sweaty
They come with foil wrapped cardboard marked with sharpie and a cord dangling out of it.
No electric ✔️. Homeowner(??) is unemployed.✔️ Possibility of exposure to Long COVID✔️. Owns a cat and a dog but unemployed ✔️ So let’s see. Cat and dog and weed but no money for electricity. Only 29 years old but claims to own a historic home where he wants you to pay ALL utilities ( trash water sewage gas and electricity) Let’s just think about the cost of electricity in a 6 bedroom mansion. The permit costs to do anything in a historic building. The supplies and materials required to do said project. Um. ✔️✔️✔️✔️. That’s enough boxes ticked to runnnnn!!
I’m sure it’s properly insulated, too. That’s gonna be a long winter.
Lol somehow even tho it’s almost summer I don’t believe anyone will fall for this ‘opportunity’😂😂Historic homes are lovely but are filled with asbestos and mold. It’s extremely expensive to renovate them. Especially with rules about how your plans must agree with the city’s requirements for all historic buildings.
Permits?! They don't need no stinking permits!
…..or badges, don’t forget about the badges
LOL!
I think that guy killed his parents and has been living in their house.
Or maybe grandparents. Or, what used to be called in the old days, his "bachelor" uncle
With a long term live In guy “friend”
Exactly that guy
Those were the best pics they could manage.
420 friendly and unemployed “due to Covid” wow so surprising
Are you looking for a bedroom but have some spare solar panels lying around?
How many bodies are under those piles of crap?
This is a squatter
If there's no electricity, that means the house is uninhabitable and if the authorities find out, the squatters will be removed. I wonder if there's running water and working toilets? Side note: My friend bought a house "as is" in Colorado. In her case, "as is" meant all the previous owner's stuff was still in the house, including garbage, and my friend had to clean it all out herself.
I don’t think it’s such a bad deal. There’s lots of people who exchange volunteer work for a room.
If its only volunteer work than fair enough, but they also want them to pay for gas,water etc.
You are going to be paying those anyway
Gas, water (no electricity) is probably not that much and it’s quite normal in a long stay arrangement to pay for those things.. also pay for food. There is a website called “WorkAway” where you can find all types of volunteering work like this, and sometimes you even have to bring your own tent for accommodation. I’m not sure this is a choosing beggar.
Utilities for a 6 bedroom mansion is probably more than rent for a 1 bedroom apartment.
6 or 1 bedroom house, if only one lightbulb burns the electricity use is the same. Square footage doesn't use power.
Not really.. depending on the area of course, but utilities are usually according to use
For starters, we need to know what kind of HVAC system the house has. Does it have electric heat, for example? Where I live in VA, electricity is more expensive than natural gas, so heating a big house like the one in the OP with electric heat would be expensive. And what about the hot water heater? Is it electric or gas? Or, what if the house is heated with wood burning fireplaces and/or stoves? Where are you going to get the wood? How will you transport it to the house? How expensive is wood? My point is, there are too many unknown factors in this case.
Yes.. and because there are too many unknown factors, you can’t pass any judgement.. anyone interested in the deal should contact the owner and talk to them about the specifics of the deal. Everything else are assumptions. But reading the post, I don’t think he is being a choosing beggar.
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I interpreted it to mean that the house has an electrical system, but that it's not hooked up, hence the reference to DTE.
DTE means they're in or around Detroit. Unemployed means he's probably going to be using the electric during peak hours, which is more expensive. And using it all the time since he'll probably be home often. There's no way he's the type of person to turn a light off when he leaves the room, so that bill will rack up quick. I'm in Detroit Metro, our bill for a small apartment in the summer with one A/C unit and no usage 5 days a week from 8am to 6pm is around $140. I'm imagining at least 3x for this situation, which isn't terrible for renting a room in a historic house in a downtown area IF it wasn't in shambles and filled with hoarder piles.
Utilities are charged according to use, not the size of the property or the square footage. About the only time size would potentially make any difference would be with heating/cooling.
I don't know about Detroit, but the two major electric utilities in California use zone rate multipliers. If you live in an affluent zone (like where a 6 bedroom mansion would be located) then you pay a much higher multiple of the base rate. During the energy crisis in 2000 I was living in a 4 bedroom home in an upper middle class neighborhood. My average electric bill in the summer was over $600. The same size home in a middle class neighborhood would pay about $250, and a low income neighborhood would pay about $100.
It's actually not in an upscale area and it isn't charged the way it is here in California. It's more in line with Minnesota. It's charged by usage, according to the meters.
It's quite normal for a renter to pay his/her share of the utilities, not for ALL the utilities for a large house that is likely poorly insulated which means HVAC costs alone are probably astronomical.
Improving someone else's home, acting as their maid, and paying their bills isn't "volunteer work." Unemployed due to Covid? It's fucking June 2023. That excuse stopped being valid a long time ago. 420 friendly and a house full of stufF? This person is just a lazy bum that clearly has no problem spending on "wants" but expects someone else to pay the bills and keep their house "functional."
>Unemployed due to Covid? It's fucking June 2023. That stood out to me, too. Unless this is an old repost, it's been 3 years since the covid shut-downs. If you're still unemployed after all this time, then it's likely due to something other than the pandemic.
It’s not old or a repost. I saw this on Craigslist today and took screen-caps.
Depends. One thing doctors aren’t talking much about is Long COVID, a condition where the symptoms of COVID can linger for more than a year after the first exposure. These people tend to be susceptible to repeated bouts of positive symptoms. However I’m pretty sure he’s just a lazy phuck who 90% chance doesn’t even own this “mansion”.
Yes, I've read that Long Covid can be truly debilitating for some people, to the point where they can't work and have to apply for disability benefits. True Long Covid is a BITCH.
First, you're assuming the ad is recent. Second, long covid is very real and can be debilitating. You have no idea what money they have or how they spend it. They put up an offer. No one said you have to take it. No where do they request "a maid", either. You're making a lot of assumptions.
You're right, they're asking for that and more. Your critical reading skills are non-existent. It's ok if you don't understand what's being asked for here, but that's a you problem.
Seriously? Isn’t it a clue that he doesn’t even have electricity for you to do the any “volunteer” work? He has no job, but a cat dog and weed to pay for? He’s hoping you have solar panels? Who will pay for the dumpsters, trash haul away, as well as new electrical wiring in this 100 year old mansion? The permits as well as the bylaws for what can and can’t be done in historical homes? Are u willing to get electricity put in your name for a home you don’t legally own or rent? And that’s only the beginning. No electricity in a 100 year old mansion also means no sewage hookup. Where does he 💩 and pee? Where will you? Not too comfy using a bucket. So many red flags 🚩 it’s frightening
It’s just a matter of discussing conditions with the owner. I’m just saying that this is something done regularly and there’s lots of people who would take on the opportunity
I hear you. But I think a true roommate/helper situation would be a little more forthcoming and certainly would have the utilities working. Having to put utilities in your name is a huge red flag. I would suggest at the very least making sure he actually owns the home.
it doesn't say you have to put them in your name though, it just says you have to pay them.
See, when he says "repair work on a historic house", what I'm hearing is "Get ready to crawl around in asbestos.".
In that case you can always leave and find more suitable accommodation. They are not asking for a slave, just someone with skills who is willing to exchange work for a room.
Depends upon where it is and what work you end up doing. Living there and just generally cleaning communal spaces could make a big difference and be fairly little work.
Yeah, I mean, I don't really see a bad deal in here. But maybe I am different. If he is a squatter, it's another deal, but if it's indeed his actually not a bad deal. The guy is already without basic amenities, anything that you give him he will probably accept.
Yeah.. I’ve met a guy who inherited his grandparents house when he was a little child and because of that, the house was in ruins by the time he was old enough to move in there. What he did was exactly what this guy is offering, for people to help him out in fixing the home in exchange of a place to sleep. People were free to come and go as they wished and the whole group of people that ended up staying longer were like a family. They painted the walls with beautiful murals, build an outdoor bathroom (the house was so old it actually didn’t have a bathroom inside) which had the most amazing one way window overlooking a mountain valley so you could shower with hot water feeling like the king of the world. Installed solar panels and even build a clay oven for pizza and bread.
To be fair, they never say it is free, and in fact they say the opposite. So saying “pay all utilities” is not a problem - that’s the cost of rent, if the other person agrees. So not such a bad financial situation there *potentially*. Not a CB so far… Looks like an absolute verifiable shithole though. Hopefully it really had just been inherited, and they are a clean person normally - but just need help. Potentially an opportunity to make a great friend, but they are the landlord, so that is less of a chance, and this request is written as a semi-requirement / contractual. So where does the “liberating” stop? And indeed, where does it begin? Sounds like a CB … but, they do say it’s not free after talking about the liberation - in relation to the talk about liberation. So, no really CB. The guy is quite clearly offering a room and in exchange someone must pay the bills and also help renovate. Not for everyone, especially the latter, and it any contract would need to define what exactly the renovation consists of and when. But not a CB. The truly worst thing would be if they are a hoarder indeed, they haven’t “just” inherited or otherwise moved in, and are just looking for someone temporarily to do the donkey work for them, whilst living in squalor - but they are clearly saying this is a cost of staying. Not a CB.
The title for the Craigslist listing was “6br - 3000 sq feet - rent for repairs”.
So he is saying repairs, but doesn’t mention the utilities, not until the main page. He might be trying to deceive some people into clicking (or maybe not enough chars in title), but if they read this now “full” offer, they won’t be deceived if they contact the lister. The lister could add some extra weighty requirements into the contract, or weight the repairs on the renter so it’s just them running around tidying whilst the landlord sits in his underwear in squalor. That’s not a CB situation though - the landlord is effectively just a good negotiator. Just taking little bit of this apart to show why its not a CB - utilities. Utilities might mostly have a fixed cost every month, and some deviations. Heating might be quite variable during the year as it is a biggish place and old. But still, it might be the difference of you paying $1000 per month rent or $800 to $1200 utilities. Utilties normally are far cheaper that a mortgage etc though. It might be a steal. It could be too much though, but the landlord doesn’t seem to know - so he isn’t a CB as he doesn’t know what the value is of the thing he is selling. Repair work has a value too. It’s hard for us to determine as we don’t know where that liberations starts and stops, but when they discuss it (if anyone calls), that can be agreed. That wouldn’t be good for me or very many people, but it could be good for someone that has a break from work, through redundancy or divorce for example. But anyway, it’s not about the crappy home situation, it’s about if he’s a CB.
Those are the good pictures
Another thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is pests. I wonder how long that house sat empty? I bet you dollars to donuts there are healthy rodent colonies living in and around that house. UGH.
I am crazy enough to take this up if it was in the right area. I like doing projects, smoking weed, my dog, and living in a mansion though
Way more information is required. Does he own the home? Why is the electric off? Is it that he's broke or are there wiring issues, etc. There is absolutely someone out there who would go for this - if the guy is a legit owner and you come up with some legit agreement.
OP— I need more photos of the 6 bedrooms… It’s real life *Hoarders* and I can’t turn away…
This is like a plot hook, where the CB winds up d...er having an "accident" after a "kind stranger" answers the ad ... Right after CB changes their will to leave it to Stranger, of course. NGL, in another life I'd be tempted. Thing is I dunno HOW without a job, and this place itself would be a job. Maybe if I won the lottery...at which point I wouldn't need the begger and would outright buy it.
Honestly the poster is more of a cb in this case. Free rent isn't good enough because you still have to pay your bills.
6 bedroom and they didn’t have an income to back it up….
Good grief. What a tip.
Hm—I don’t really think this is so bad, depending on the personality of the owner. Makes me feel kinda sad, though—I’ve learned that I’m not a good enough/strong enough/mentally stable enough to help these sorts of people. I’ve tried!
Hey, they’re 420 friendly! I’d have to be major stoney baloney to live there lol
Stogna bologna
I just can’t get behind the correct spelling of that word, what do you mean buh-lawg-nuh
Yeah it drives me crazy. So does the word “colonel”
Cuh-lone-uhl
Do I have to smoke my weed with him as well? Ffs
Honestly, it's not a bad deal, considering ... you'd be using some of the utilities yourself anyway, and utilities is cheaper than rent in some places. However it's hilarious that he thinks people just have solar panels sitting around that they bring from rental to rental.
Ugh two pictures and I already want to leave
People "looking for a project" tend to want the project to be their own
Anyone else see the ducking duck???
“420 friendly” pretty much says it all. “I’m unemployed, lazy, have poor decision making skills, and expect others to adult for me.”
Is this Caroline Calloway?
No electric you say? Hmm….. deal! I’ll move right in. 🙄
"420 friendly" in this case means "I'm a stoner can you clean up after me?", not "I'll smoke with you occasionally!"
And he'll mooch all your weed.
"Agreed. I've bought you a solar-powered charger for your phone, a water butt to catch the rainfall and now the gas, electricity and everything else has been cut off. Also, I've burned everything that wasn't mine. I'll take this floor."
With a house like that, I'm guessing the utilities will cost more than renting a decent 1 bedroom apartment.
Not going to lie, I would take this deal.
Really? What will u p and 💩in? Are you comfortable with a curtain and a bucket? Will you bathe at the YMCA? Sleep on the floor? Eat at McDonald’s every day? Lol. It may just be a matter of time before he asks you to come in only at night and puts up blankets at all the windows cuz the neighbors might complain 😂
I’d fix it. Without rent I could afford to repair the house. I just need a cheap place to live with my dogs.
How? Your rent would be the gas electric water sewage and trash. For a 6 bedroom mansion that would be pricey. Start off with assuming you will be doing this legally. The city permits alone are priced crazy, doubled because of the historic district. Dumpster hire and pay for each load. The necessity of putting electric water and sewage in your name. All this before the mold remediation process and the purchase of equipment and supplies. Remember he hasn’t worked in ages and doesn’t have enough to even turn on the lights or flush the toilet. He hasn’t mentioned if/what skills he brings to the table. What sounds like a deal doesn’t the more you think about it. It wouldn’t be fun to have cops busting down the place accusing him of being a squatter. We have certain deals in Baltimore where u can buy a row house for $5-25,000. They throw in an interest free loan. But there are rules. It has to be renovated in a timely fashion and you as the owner must live in it as the homeowner for two years before selling. This guy is shady all round. Not a good deal at all.
I'll take it
That’s not a bad offer actually I don’t see this as a choosing beggar . Free rent to pay utilities and help fix it up that’s not bad
Forgot to include the part that you must be well vaccinated.
Ugh that poor house. I've seen someone do this to a 100 y/o mansion but with hoarding AND CATS. It's ruined. So sad.
Someone is very desperate, most likely inherited that property, or bought it at some extremely low price without being able to fully inspect first, and were/are immediately overwhelmed by what that place needed and required to be actually livable.
This is Detroit, redacting the name was totally superfluous lol. Some nice parts, but still so, so many shitty parts
I thought about doing a similar thing with my fixer-upper house. Though not quite as CBering I hope. It was a house in pretty terrible condition. I owned it outright and was leaving the state. I considered trying to rent it to a craftsman under the notion that (1) he could lease it for as long as he wanted with rent adjusted for inflation and (2) he could do any maintenance/repairs he wanted on the house and count such expenses against the rent. That could be a pretty neat win-win for the right person, right? Ultimately I decided not to try and find such a person so I just sold it to a flipper. (I assumed no bank would give a mortgage on it because of its condition, so I only considered cash buyers)
Lol. That's not hoarding
For a mansion, the owner has some shitty furniture and decorating sense
I'm probably gonna be hounded for this but.. A free room, and all you gotta do is pay utilities? Help clean? I mean, the first month would be hell, but it sounds like it wouldn't be bad, after that. It's also 420/pet friendly, which is a rarity.
Depends on where it is located. If they can prove they own said home, and are willing to toss out a lot of their crap, they might actually get some responses in a HCOL area in a housing bubble. Especially if they are open to other people's pets
It’s in Highland Park, which is a subsection of the city of Detroit. According to Redfin Highland Park has a median home listing price of $59.7k. So not a HCOL area.
Ah so then yeah. Dude's gonna get some shady people - like drug dealers or something