Giving a deadline to find work and to pay rent

[Jaxb]

My brother owns a house and he has a roommate. Several months ago, his roommate lost his job and could no longer afford to pay rent. His roommate is looking for a job. My brother has allowed his roommate to live in his house without paying rent. Moreover, my brother has not given him a deadline to find a job. I told my brother that he should give him a deadline to find a job and to pay rent again. If he does not meet that deadline, then he should be forced to move out. What do you think would be a reasonable deadline? Do you think that the deadline should be stated in writing?

[mossrose]

A reasonable deadline would depend on how long the roommate has been without work and living there rent free. A month is quite reasonable unless he's already not paid rent for a month or more.

Yes. If there is no paper and pens handy, grab toilet paper and a crayon. Write it all down. And both parties need to sign it.

[Jaxb]

A reasonable deadline would depend on how long the roommate has been without work and living there rent free. A month is quite reasonable unless he's already not paid rent for a month or more.

Yes. If there is no paper and pens handy, grab toilet paper and a crayon. Write it all down. And both parties need to sign it.

He has not paid rent for several months.

[Sparko]

Your brother should at the very least have him work some of it off doing things around the house, gardening, painting cutting grass, building stuff, etc.

[Cow Poke]

A reasonable deadline would depend on how long the roommate has been without work and living there rent free. A month is quite reasonable unless he's already not paid rent for a month or more.

Yes. If there is no paper and pens handy, grab toilet paper and a crayon. Write it all down. And both parties need to sign it.

Yeah!

[Teallaura]

What is the job market like? If your brother is sure that the guy is genuinely looking then a work lease agreement might be a better way to go.