Thread: Losing my apartment

Hi, My 1st post on the forums. I have snooped around for a couple years, but never written or replied. Now I need to.

I have worked as a resident manager for 11 years, like my job, get paid reasonably well. I also have been given use of the apartment attached to the office since my employment. Late last week, I was told that the owners have decided to renovate the entire office/apartment space into one large office. I would be given 8 weeks notice to move out and a raise to help offset living expenses. I don't think they are selling, but the whole thing bothers me.

Has anybody been through a situation like this? Should I start looking for a new job?

Disadvantages to your situation are obvious. It will need to be a really good size raise to offset you living expenses, rent, electric, gas, etc. Your home (rent) is now part of your pay, thus you will be paying taxes on this additional income.

Advantages: you will not be living on site. From those of us that live off site, I much prefer being off site. This is a subject that has been discussed here in the not to distant past.

If you trust your owners, stick it out. If you are really unsure, throw your hook in the water, and see what bites.

Not alot of help, I know, but you know your owners, and we don't. A challenging place to be.

Where are you located?

I dont know where you are located but here in michigan my rent is 625 a month, it would have to be a decent raise increase to justify losing the living space. My utilities run 350 in the winter time. There is a lot of cost involved to living off property that you haven't had to deal with, hopefully they take care of you.

Yes if the living-expenses raise is enough to cover your actual off-site housing, you may find that you are much happier living off site....Get a nice place with lots of amenities like a pool, walking trails, community parties, fitness center, ours even has a free lending book library and DVD library that they keep stocked up with all the latest books and movies...you may be pleasantly surprised with what you have been missing out on by living on site...plus best of all, when you are off of work, you are truly OFF OF WORK!

I think what everybody said about the raise needing to be substantial are dead on the money.

As for the looking around for other jobs...I've always done this, and even am now to some degree even though I absolutely adore my job. These guys treat me right. But there always rooms for advancement, even if it is by jumping ship. My last owners didn't understand that mindset, but my family was never in the money so to speak. My dad now makes a fair amount because he constantly applies for other positions. How else will you find YOUR true market value? Hope that helps.

And don't forget that the amount of your raise is not the amount that shows up in your paycheck. You will now be paying for your own rent with after tax dollars; you really need to calculate the gross to net amounts in your pay to make sure you are being full compensated.

You may want to hit your owners with the idea that they pay your rent and make living in that off-site apartment a "condition of your employment". The advantage to the owner is that they do not have to pay all the additional matching taxes on your additional income. They still get to deduct the cost of the rent like they do yoru increased salary amount. The positive impact for you is obvious with the downside if you end up getting fired and have to vacate. However, you could always just assume the rent on the apartment yourself if you wanted.

MisterJim444

PS Sure hope that your owners are smart enough to get your suggestions on the layout of the expanded office space!

That's FANTASTIC advice, Mr. Jim! That'd be a win-win all around!

Thanks to everyone for the advice! I will update when I find out more.

Originally Posted by storagegirl

Hi, My 1st post on the forums. I have snooped around for a couple years, but never written or replied. Now I need to.

I have worked as a resident manager for 11 years, like my job, get paid reasonably well. I also have been given use of the apartment attached to the office since my employment. Late last week, I was told that the owners have decided to renovate the entire office/apartment space into one large office. I would be given 8 weeks notice to move out and a raise to help offset living expenses. I don't think they are selling, but the whole thing bothers me.

Has anybody been through a situation like this? Should I start looking for a new job?

Sorry to hear your losing your apartment, but in times like theses I always try to remember someone always has it worse that you do. I have never lived onsite there for I have always paid rent,ect. My rent is $1350 and my bills go on and on. At least you haven't lost your job

We've actually had a hard time finding managers to live onsite so rent out the apartment instead works out pretty well.