craigslist? Options

[batman]

So I'm on talking terms with my mother again and she freaked out when she learned I was living in an apartment based on an ad off craigslist. It's a temporary sublet until December, so I don't really have a written contract. It's just a "give half the rent" to my roommate month by month type of thing.

It's convenient, but I guess not the smartest thing I've ever gotten into.

She's demanding to see a copy of my roommate's written lease now and wants me to "get a receipt" after giving him rent.

Idk, I've been here for a little while and I met up with him before agreeing to live here. It doesn't seem like he's in it to screw me over. But since it's not down in writing, I guess he can technically kick me out at any time, but at the same time, I can also just up and leave without bothering to pay... so I'm not sure.

Should I probably ask to get a written contract? Have any of you gotten a job or an appt off Craigslist?

[mipadi]

I got my current apartment from an ad posted on a site like Craigslist. You should probably get a contract in writing. My roommate drew up an official sublease contract, which we both have a copy of. It's nothing fancy, but it does spell out how much rent should be paid, the conditions in which I can be kicked out, who gets the money, how long I can be here, and that sort of thing. It never hurts to have one unless you're moving in with someone you know really, really well (like a close friend).