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Benefits of Home-Sharing for Seniors
A comparison between traditional institutional living and private home-sharing models.
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I'm an 84-year-old landlord. I charge reduced rent to my housemates who ...
I'm an 84-year-old landlord. I charge reduced rent to my housemates who help me with food, tech, and transportation. As told to Jane Ridley You're currently following this author! Want to unfollow? Unsubscribe via the link in your email. Jacob Watson, with his housemate, Kathleen, who regularly takes care of him as part of her rent. Courtesy of Jacob Watson 2026-05-02T16:40:01.308Z Octogenarian Jacob Watson has opted to "age in place" at his three-bedroom, two-bathroom home. He shares it with tenants who spend eight hours weekly helping with chores, like shopping and cooking. In exchange, they pay reduced rent. He said it's a win-win: they save money and he gets assistance. This interview is based on a conversation with Jacob Watson, 84, an ordained interfaith minister, writer, and former grief counselor, from Portland, Maine. It has been edited for length and clarity. My late wife, Kristine, and I were grief counselors, which inevitably led us to discuss our own arrangements for the end of life.We decided we wanted to "age in place" and stay in our 2,100-square-foot home, built in 1915.The downstairs bathroom was converted into a handicapped-accessible bathroom with the intention of us living on the first floor as we got older.But the "we" never happened. On August 3, 2021, a few days after our 33rd wedding anniversary, Kristine died of a heart attack at 71. It was a terrible shock to me and everyone in the family. I considered an assisted living facilityAfter that, I lived alone. However, since I have macular degeneration, my vision has gotten progressively worse. I found it increasingly difficult to see everyday things like the numbers on the stove or microwave.Three years ago, I began to think, 'I can't do this by myself.' I seriously considered selling the house and moving into an assisted living facility. Watson with his wife, Kristine, who died suddenly in 2021. Courtesy of Jacob Watson I thought it would be a relief to know that someone else was taking care of me and would fix anything that went wrong with the property. But I got almost physically sick when I visited the facilities. I knew the lifestyle wasn't right for me, and I wouldn't feel independent or stimulated.Besides, those apartments are in such high demand that I could have been on a waiting list for two years or more.It dawned on me that, if I wanted to stick to my original plan, I'd need to take a deep breath and ask for help.I needed help with my eyesight issuesI figure...
Are You Still Liable After Assigning a Lease? | Aaron Hall, Attorney
Assigning a lease without releasing the original tenant means the tenant remains legally responsible for all lease obligations, including rent payments and compliance with lease terms. The assignment transfers possession to a new party but does not absolve the original tenant of liability. Landlord consent is typically required, and without a formal release or lease modification, the original tenant retains joint liability. Understanding the distinctions and potential risks involved is crucial for proper management of lease assignments. Further insights address mitigating these ongoing responsibilities. Key Takeaways Understanding Lease Assignments Legal Implications for Original Tenants Differences Between Assignment and Subletting Tenant Liability After Assignment Control Over Lease Terms Legal Implications of Subletting Responsibilities Retained by Original Tenants Ongoing Tenant Liabilities Lease Agreement Obligations Risks for Original Tenants After Assignment Landlord’s Role in Lease Assignments How to Obtain Release From Lease Obligations Protecting Your Interests as a Tenant Negotiating Assignment Terms With Landlords Frequently Asked Questions Can I Assign a Lease if the Original Lease Prohibits It? How Does Lease Assignment Affect My Credit Score? Are There Tax Consequences to Assigning a Lease? Can I Assign a Lease for Commercial Property? What Happens if the New Tenant Defaults After Assignment? Key Takeaways Original tenants remain legally liable for lease obligations even after assigning the lease without formal release by the landlord. Assigning a lease without landlord consent may violate lease terms and does not relieve original tenants from responsibilities. The original tenant retains responsibility for rent and damages if the assignee defaults post-assignment. Landlords must approve assignments, and without lease modification, original tenants maintain joint liability with assignees. Original tenants should document assignments clearly and consult legal counsel to minimize ongoing liability risks. Understanding Lease Assignments Lease assignments constitute a legal mechanism whereby a tenant transfers their interest in a leasehold estate to another party, known as the assignee. This process involves the lease transfer of contractual rights and obligations from the original tenant to the assignee, who assumes the tenant’s position under the lease. Crucially, the original tenant’s rights and responsibilities may persist unless ex...
'She was secretly the landlord': Readers on their housemate
"In my last sublet, everything was broken, and I kept asking my housemate to tell the landlord to fix it. It turned out this particular housemate was secretly the landlord, charging us insane prices.
A landlord's discounted rents shaped a neighborhood. Her death has ...
Longtime tenants like Dennis Anderson relied on the kindness of their landlord. But following her death in February, he and others are being forced out as the estate must pay outstanding debts.
