Yeah, as I was reading the other thread first time around, I thought to myself, "why did he tell them about the whole sweet deal and the rent particulars...not a good idea". It sucks that he continues to try to force your hand.

This is my suggestion: price out how much all of the walls and miscellaneous building materials and the labor and all incidentals (gas, transportation, wear and tear on tools, etc) cost you initially, and divide by 3, or whatever number you see fit. Is it a nice, juicy, fat total? Give him the bill, and tell him that if he's willing to pay it, you'll lower his rent. Pay up or shut up, honey.

Iconomy's suggestion sounds exactly right.

Or you could have me move in and poop on his pillow every day.

Can I ask a question? If you've done all this work to the place and your only compensation for it is lowered (lifetime?) rent, can you evaluate how much the property is worth post-renovations? Why not purchase the place yourself and be your own landlord? This seems to me to be a simple solution to your problems. Then again, maybe not as it seems you already have all the roomie-selecting-and-kicking-out powers you need. However, you definitely shouldn't be (oh, on preview ico already said it, but still) disclosing your financial or other terms with your landlord to prospective/current roommates. You're putting yourself in a superior position from the get go and many--let's be honest and say most here--roommates don't appreciate your hard work as much as you yourself do, so you've automatically put them on the defensive and/or are giving the implication that what's good for the goose (you) will one day be good for the gander (them).

Consider that your landlord could sell the property--renovations and all--out from under you. I don't know where you live or what sort of relationship you have with your landlord, but I can assure you it's not an uncommon practice. And then what will you have to show for your hard work? That you got to have lower-than-average rent for x number or years? Yay, you. Next?

Sorry if this sounds overly nosy or snarky. I spent most of my adult life on the renter side of the landlord/renter equation. I've spent the last 3 on the landlord side of it though and can tell you with assurance that the pride you take in your work and the amount you think you're "saving" or "recouping" in lowered rent will all be for naught if the right opportunity presents itself to your landlord. In fact by renovating out of your own pocket you may have actually increased the chances of that opportunity to present itself!

Owning's ALWAYS better than renting and if you're not keeping your eyes and ears open for the chance to purchase and (depending on where you are and/or your relations with your landlord) not that hard or expensive to do. Many landlords will carry a note for you to avoid many up-front costs and to make interest off of you, especially if you've proven to be an always-on-time rent payer.

Just something to consider.

Hugh - we need a roomie for November 1. We're considering someone, but if you're seriously interested, I'd love to have you (and your poop)! Let me know.

Wolfdaddy - when we first moved in, we signed a 5-year lease, in order to guarantee our stay there, and to make our money back. It's 6+ years now, and we've made it back long ago. We made and offer on the place a few months back, because we'd love to own the place. But the landlord is sitting on it now. When the time is right, they'll make a nice little profit on the place. We however, are tired of trying, and have to move on. We are looking at places to buy now.

Oh, and ico, we never initially told them about our deal. It wasn't too hard for them to figure out what the deal was.

I'm interested, but I don't know how seriously. Bird in the hand, you know; my place is cheap, convenient to my office, and cheap, too. Plus I have really great landlady relations, which can be a big boost.

But lets talk about it anyway, man.

If you're name is the only name on the lease, and you're essentially subletting it to the other tenants (meaning that only YOU are liable for the rent if it doesn't get paid), then it's none of their business what you're paying vs. what the rooms are renting at. If he's not happy with that, then he should move out. Period.

However, if this dude had to sign a lease agreement with the landlord when he moved in, and whomever else moves in will have to sign a lease agreement too, then it doesn't seem fair to me that his rent should stay the same while the new person pays a higher rent (that the previous founding tenant). Couldn't you lower his rent a little bit, to placate him?

hellbient: if the landlord's sitting on an offer, you may want to get back into a lease, even if it's only 6 months at a time, that specifies a purchase option. Once a lease lapses, you go to a month-to-month option in many states and by default that doesn't include any sort of purchase option. If the landlord thinks they can make more than what you have offered at least he can't sell it out from under you all (relatively) unawares.

DOES the landlord think they can make more?? If so, investigate why and be a tough but fair negotiator. It sounds like a sweet place that you love and have worked hard on and hey, 6+ years is nothing for your landlord to sneeze at :-)

can i come live with you?

From what I understand, you all are getting a good deal on the rent, your deal just happens to be better. If it's so bad, he can leave. You'll easily fill the spot. Don't let him get to you.

What safteyfork said.

muddgirl - he's not on the lease. Come November, I'll be the sole leaseholder.

Wolfdaddy - I honestly don't know what the landlord is thinking. He never said anything to us about our offer being too low or what. It was frustrating. For all I know, they're waiting for us to leave and they're going to completely transform the place. As far as buying it, it's a long shot. It's really too large for just two people, and would have to be split up. It would be a whole lotta work. Believe me, if I thought I could do it, I would.

brina - send me an e-mail if you're serious. Seriously.

Thanks all.