Elderly man does not demand any rent from my GF?!

anustudent on 07/08/2017 - 21:24
Last edited 08/08/2017 - 09:08 by 1 other user

My GF arrived from Korea on the 19th of July, and and she she this ad for room to rent and needed a place to move into fast. So we went to see this room for rent in Canberra. The landlord is really old Caucasian man, properly in his 90s. Basically, he doesn't want any bond or any contract on that day. He said that my GF can live for a few days to see if she likes it. All he want is $25 deposit for the keys. So we got the $25 that day and we tried to pay one weeks rent + $25. But he refused to take the rent and only the $25 and gave her the key.

Since that day until today, he still haven't asked her for any rent payment and I have been sleeping at her place pretty much everyday as well.

So she talked to her friends at uni, all her Korean/Asian friends say that it is weird, I am kinda uncomfortable out as well. But her Australian friends say this is normal as many older Australia just want company.

We have not mentioned about the rent either, because it is not in our best financial interest to remind him of our rent obligation.

So is normal? I don't want her to have a surprise in the future where the landlord demand all the rent at once.

Home & Garden

closed Comments

    • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 10:47
      +2

      +100

  • mhasan on 08/08/2017 - 09:59
    -5

    Buy him groceries, cook dinners for him for few days. Also, ask him to sign a rental contract even if it is $0/week. Make sure you have people to witness the signatures.

    • rodinthink on 08/08/2017 - 23:43

      Buy him groceries, cook dinners for him for few days. Also, ask him to sign a rental contract even if it is $0/week . Make sure you have people to witness the signatures.

      That goes from puppy to having your hand in the croc's mouth

  • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 10:46
    +3

    He probably can't tell the difference between you and the other one .
    He may be trying to figure out how to kick out the SCUMBAGS who are trying to take advantage of the situation.
    Tell her to talk to him about it as she is the original leasee.

  • jm48 on 08/08/2017 - 12:59
    -2

    Just a nice generous old guy, who doesn't need a whole house and is happy to have a bit of company.
    He might also just want to give you a free trial to see if you like it there, before charging rent.

    • John Kimble on 08/08/2017 - 13:08
      +2

      That's already what the OP says…

      Basically, he doesn't want any bond or any contract on that day. He said that my GF can live for a few days to see if she likes it. All he want is $25 deposit for the keys.

  • shaybisc on 08/08/2017 - 13:27
    -2

    He's probably an ex public servant on a cushy pension so didn't rent the room to make ends meet. Be very nice and he might leave you in his will.

  • ozbjunkie on 08/08/2017 - 14:40
    -1

    Why don't you ask him directly? Better to know why than risk taking someone for a ride.

    He probably just wants people around for safety.

  • Tee Rex Arms on 08/08/2017 - 15:20
    +5

    Ripping off a vulnerable person like that is utterly disgraceful. Did you not take time to think he might have impaired cognitive capacity due to his age, and you seem to have no qualms about your actions?

  • Mikeyphoto48 on 08/08/2017 - 15:39
    +3

    Have to agree with the majority of others here,
    Mate grow a pair, and man-up (maybe for the first time) seriously have a look at what you're doing.
    If this guy was a relative of yours, or your Asian GF it would be a completely different thing, maybe he does like a bit of company, as far as you are concerned you are charging him the cost of the rent for that.
    Been a while since I read a post of that is so opportunistic of an old guy. As far as Karma is concerned let's hope you don't catch on fire and your rescuer doesn't need a pee.

  • simmos on 08/08/2017 - 15:42
    +1

    Some comments here are off beam. Life for some is not all about money. So what if this guy wants to give some space to people whose company he enjoys. The OP sounds decent too given the concerns expressed. Just return the favours to him in non financial ways and you will all get on just fine. Ignore all the paranoid and negative comments herein!

    • Tee Rex Arms on 08/08/2017 - 18:50
      +4

      OP sounds decent? The self-serving comments about how it's not in his best financial interest to mention the rent obligation would suggest otherwise…

      • xoom on 08/08/2017 - 19:01

        Yeah. I like to borrow money from the op and be all hush hush not in my best financial interest to mention that i owe him money after he lends me money.

  • shaybisc on 08/08/2017 - 19:36
    -1

    I bet if GF offers the rent money to him he will again refuse- half your GF's luck but win-win. He clearly does not need or want the money. Keep us posted.

  • AppleLime on 08/08/2017 - 23:10

    Like someone suggested, bring him out for dinner, do some house cleaning, be kind to him and check on him now n then to see he is well. Could be true he just need company and assurance someone is there if he needs help.

  • raj koothrappali on 08/08/2017 - 23:19

    Did you tell him you are from South and not North? He might be scared you might get Kim involved.

  • kyoba on 08/08/2017 - 23:21
    +7

    I'm waiting for the ozbargain post "Asians taking my old man for a ride not paying rent - what should i do??"

  • [Deactivated] on 08/08/2017 - 23:42

    Probably doesn't want centrelink taking his pension away if he declares the rent received.
    Like one other has said help him like clean the living areas - cook a meal - buy something to supplement the arrangement etc;

  • rodinthink on 08/08/2017 - 23:45
    +3

    and and she she this ad

    you you got got 2 2 GGFF?

  • nobarginsarehere on 09/08/2017 - 01:49

    He's got hidden cameras everywhere

    See here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-2-4G-wireless-mini-white-Screw-m…

  • TurkishDelight on 09/08/2017 - 02:04

    I don't think he might have the pervert-ish reasons. I think he knows that he is old enough and money won't do anything for him. He seems like he would rather have someone trustful around so in case if he has fainted at least he will have someone to notice. You guys have just got lucky I guess, but still be genuine and bring the rent topic up sometime. Good Luck!

  • ankor on 09/08/2017 - 08:00
    +3

    Mate, I hope you are saving the market equivalent of rent each week to give to this gentleman.

    Furthermore, while he hasn't said it, he likely wants to have some company to pass the time by and for security if he has some health issues. If I were in your position, I would also go and do a course with the ambos wrt first aid. At that age, elderly have a greater chance of slipping and hurting themselves very badly.

    Basically, be a good human about this and don't take advantage. I don't believe in God, but I do believe in positive thoughts, actions and energy. This is one of those cross roads style life choices that you encounter, and it will affect how you view yourself in the future if you are a leech.

  • MessyG on 09/08/2017 - 08:38
    +2

    I would be very uncomfortable with this situation. Giving the old man the benefit of the doubt and believing he just wants company - fine. But he is placing himself in a financially vulnerable position by doing this, and if he has any family members around who hear about it, they can claim you are taking advantage of him and boot you out. You essentially would have no security in your accommodation because this could happen at any time. He could be reasonable, or he could have mild dementia or may completely lack capacity to do this. As attractive as this is financially, there is a level of risk of here that you may not appreciate - I could tell you a hundred scenarios in which he, your girlfriend, or both could get hurt. I would thank him for his kind offer, find other accommodation, and maybe cook him dinner once a month together to keep him company. The isolated elderly are a special population, deserving of so much more than what we give them, that keeping an old man company is better than donating to a giant faceless charity imo - but taking advantage of this is legally and morally very very shady.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/08/2017 - 09:02
      +1

      This.

      It covers legalities, ethics and family relationships.

  • Saiya on 09/08/2017 - 09:39
    +5

    OP, people like you make me sick. You and your partner are clearly taking advantage of this elderly gentleman. There was an agreement to pay rent and now you are not paying because 'he hasn't asked'. You are a freeloader who expects something for nothing. You're not entitled to anything. This gentleman has been working his whole life and you just come into his home and 'sleep pretty much every night' there. Maybe he has dementia or is too uncomfortable to ask for rent, maybe you and your partner him intimidate him so he does not ask.

    "We have not mentioned about the rent either, because it is not in our best financial interest to remind him of our rent obligation." Are you kidding me? So if you shoplift and you don't get caught that's OK because they didn't catch you and ask you to pay? Pay the rent. Grow up and get learn some responsibility.

    This person is on the pension which isn't much at all. This is his house and possibly needs the money to pay all the utilities that will increase because you two freeloaders are now using more water/electricity/gas etc.

    Do the right thing. Pay the rent. Karma remembers.

    • [Deactivated] on 09/08/2017 - 09:54
      -1

      I don't think OP has done anything that many of us wouldn't do in the same scenario. At least he had the guilty conscience to seek perspective here.

      I don't think it's fair to demonize him. There are many that do the same thing. Just join any of the Centrelink cues.

      • jm48 on 09/08/2017 - 10:02

        Probably true but I think the main reason the OP posted was he was worried he could be forced to pay a lump rent sum later, and he was generally suspicious of the old guy.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/08/2017 - 10:08

          I think about half of us here are suspicious of the old guy too. It is out of the ordinary.

          Being bad at managing money, I'd be worried I've spent all my dough on OzBargain to pay the gentleman should the time come.

        • syousef on 09/08/2017 - 10:21

          @tshow:

          Pay him in eneloops. Problem solved.

      • Saiya on 09/08/2017 - 11:02
        +1

        Just because there are many people that would do the same thing does not make it right. What is right is that he should be paying his (in this case the GF should be) their share. Having a BS excuse of he didn't ask me for payment is just blatantly taking advantage of someone.

        • [Deactivated] on 09/08/2017 - 16:25

          I don't think anyone would argue that OP is doing the right thing but just because it isn't right doesn't mean we cannot empathize. It is very easy to sit on a high horse and look down on the matter but put yourself in OPs shoes for a moment. Bringing up a conversation about money isn't comfortable at the best of times. Bringing it up when you don't have much money is even worse.

          It's not a right what is going on, but OP is taking baby steps in the right direction. I don't think many people on the Centrelink lines are too worried about mooching off the system.

  • jm48 on 09/08/2017 - 09:44
    +1

    I think you could be exploiting his generosity and imposing by sleeping there with your GF all the time.
    I am guessing the old guy advertised it as single board and would prefer it that way.
    At least you should ask to see what he prefers.

  • jm48 on 09/08/2017 - 09:59

    Maybe he doesn't want to set up a formal rent agreement because of all the hassle and paperwork and tax and centrelink consequences.
    He would have to declare all the income to Centrelink which could possibly reduce or stop his pension.
    He could have to pay income tax and record all his deduction expenses and do a complicated tax return,
    and have to pay capital gain on his house if he sells.
    And do all those things like deposit a bond, draw up an agreement etc etc.

  • jno on 09/08/2017 - 10:00

    Somewhere there is a thread about how to ask someone for rent money from this korean couple that's been staying for a while and not paying up without being awkward

  • VTS160 on 09/08/2017 - 10:18
    -1

    hes after anus student

  • FW190 on 09/08/2017 - 11:37
    +1

    I remember reading a similar thread on WP a few years back, except it was a male Korean student.

    Apparently in the middle of one night the older dude climbed into his bed and started touching him………

    but if your GF's landlord is 90, there is probably not much he can do to her :)

    • [Deactivated] on 09/08/2017 - 18:31

      The Little blue pills can pitch tents at any age.

  • [Deactivated] on 09/08/2017 - 11:41

    I suggest that you get a few Bikies together and take him on

  • dcep on 09/08/2017 - 11:51

    Chaa-rat-ttaa , Sheikh-kia !

    do you make out with your gf there as well ?

    might want to check if it appears on the worldwide web 1 day.

  • Tech5 on 09/08/2017 - 13:41

    All these comments about Karma. We'd definitely all have egg on our face if in two weeks time, there is a news article about an old man spying on a korean couple with hidden cams.

    • dcep on 09/08/2017 - 14:41

      … news article about an old man spying on a korean couple with hidden cams … who paid one-off $25 to make-out everyday in his house for a month.

  • DarkOz on 09/08/2017 - 13:54

    She thought she could escape the molka but how wrong she is…

  • Peck on 09/08/2017 - 15:55

    Be a decent human being, have some respect, and talk about it with the guy. Also make sure that he is ok with u staying most nights.

  • Aneurism on 09/08/2017 - 16:24

    Expect hidden live streamed cameras.

  • spedohero on 09/08/2017 - 16:34

    Check for pin hole 📷

  • josepet on 09/08/2017 - 18:27

    Cameras. Lots in your room.

  • Moderatorhamza23 on 09/08/2017 - 18:48

    Comments closed. The OP is a ghost account to a previously banned user, there is no point continuing discussions since they are again banned.

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