What am I forgetting to tell my new lodger?

A friend of my boyfriend’s is moving into my garage and I was trying to work up an information sheet for her - street address, police non-emergency number, trash days, wireless password, etc. What am I forgetting that you’d like to know, were you in that position?

Places to shop and eat?

She’s not from Columbia but has been here often - I’ll ask if she needs grocery store directions.

That if she does anything that pisses you off, or fails to de-ass the premises on request, you’ll see the neighborhood cats dine on her nipples?

Oh, this isn’t one of those awful “My brother-in-law won’t leave!” people that the Pit is full of. :slight_smile:

Gamecocks football schedule.
What day of the week is the official, “No pants in the house day.” My day is Wednesday if anyone cares.

SSG Schwartz

Every day is No Pants Day up in the big house - she can set her own rules for the quarters. :slight_smile:

I think you’ve covered the basics. In fact, you’re already a lot nicer than some of my previous landlords.

(Side note: have you mentioned any of this to your neighbors? If you have nosy neighbors with nothing better to do than watch each other, they might get suspicious of a stranger coming in and out of your garage.)

Your preferred plumber/electrician/contractor/handyman for repairs, in the event that you cannot be reached and something needs fixing NOW.

Instructions/manuals for any appliances which might have odd or unexpected features, or at least so she can dig them out to troubleshoot something.

Takeout menus. We always leave them right by the most obvious phone jack when we leave, along with a local phone book. It’s just useful, especially on moving day when you’re hungry!

Noise bylaws, in case the lodger decides to crank the tunes at 2AM?
Where to put the recyclables, compost, and garbage before pickup?
Where to park, including things like moving the car for alternate-side parking, permits required, and where to go if you get a ticket? Also, impound lots if it comes to that?
Where the snow shovels, sand, etc, are (if needed)?
What things can be poured down the drain (especially important if you are on a septic system)?
Furnace/thermostat/fireplace/AC operating instructions?
When, if ever, to answer the phone?

  • Anything weird about the property, e.g. water ponds in a particular part of the driveway when it rains so park elsewhere, the gutters creak when it’s windy so don’t be alarmed, etc.
  • Who is responsible for snow and ice removal, should there be a winter weather event.
  • What day(s) lawn care is done in case she has allergies to cut grass (as I do) and needs to close windows/stay in/stay away or if you put down fertilizer or have ChemLawn or something and she needs to stay out of the grass.
  • Your expectations with regard to guests (limited overnight stays, where guests should park, noise levels).
  • Your dealbreakers in terms of her residency, if any, such as (illegal) drug use on your property, misuse of your internet access (illegal downloads, torrents that eat up the bandwidth and so on).
  • Your policy on pocket pets (gerbils, guinea pigs, etc.) or fish, if any. (Presumably you have a no dogs/cats rule in a garage apartment.)

I hadn’t thought to warn her about the lawn guy - that’s a good one. Also, noise ordinances, although I’m sure that won’t be a problem. We already discussed parking. The “weird things” is a good idea - I’ll warn her that the garage air is a whole nother system from ours, so if hers isn’t working we probably do not know about it. And the plumber’s number in case of screaming emergency.

Frankly, I’d be thrilled if she got a cat, because it would fix the cockroach problem. I’ll have to suggest it.

Should winter weather occur, the standing order is “panic”. If she can pick a snow shovel out of a lineup, she gets to come shiver in the Big House for the night.

Nearby public transit routes and stops, if necessary?
Location of nearest decent convenience store/grocery store/beer store/liquor store/service station/gas station etc? Also, public library?

Location of the local emergancy room.
Your emergancy contact phone numbers (both how to get hold of you, and who to notify if you end up in the hospital)
Where the shut off valves are for the water and the gas.
Where the circuit breaker box is.
I’d also introduce her to your neighbors.