Delt,
You're right on the head on this one. We are a young chapter, only 11 years old from our colony days - so nope, we don't have any $100,000 a year alumni.
We do have a lawyer sitting on our board who directs us in the right direction, so we have the area covered.
As for rent, what we have come up with thus far is to place the bills on the chapter, not the individual leasee. The House Corp. would lease the house to the chapter, not individuals. Rent ($300 a month, per person, all utilities included) is due on the 1st of the month from the chapter. The chapter then is responsible for collecting that money from the individual and paying the House Corp. That way, the H.C. doesn't have to deal with collecting 15 different checks, only one. Leases with the chapter will be more than likely yearly, so if people move out for summer, they are still held responsible (by the chapter) to pay their bills.
As a chapter, we have installed a new way for collection of dues. If you owe more than $20 and surpass your payment date, you have about a week to pay up - otherwise you go to collections. This has paid off so far. If this were the case for house members, the chapter would pay their rent and have to go after the member individually.
PS, I agree to NOT be a guarantor. How can I put my name on the line for the house (I love Beta more than most...but its a HUGE risk), when I just bought my own first house. As you said, the first bad thing to happen, and I just bought myself another house. I really don't want another mortgage payment
