Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin Need a Roommate

• January 15, 2014

by Lark Turner

The home on D Street SE.

Two lawmakers could be heading to Craigslist when their longtime housemate and landlord retires at the end of his term.

Rep. George Miller of California lives in the Capitol Hill home that inspired its own TV series, and he has two famous roomies — Sens. Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin. The group house has made headlines over the years, and CNN took a tour just last month.

For all the hype, DC residents probably shared at least one reaction to the resurgence of the story about the congressmen: Schumer and Durbin are getting a great deal on rent. A 2007 New York Times article reported that they each pay $750 a month for the privilege of living in the three-bedroom home. Rowhouses in the neighborhood go for much more: a smaller two-bedroom nearby rents for more than $3,000 a month.

But maybe the senators are paying a fair price after all; though most homes for rent in the area are nicely appointed, Miller’s is outfitted with cast-off furniture, broken appliances, and sheets that serve as curtains. Renters would also have to be comfortable sharing space with Schumer, who sleeps in the living room, leaves his toiletries lying around and appears to have had the same bedspread since at least 2007. The kitchen is mostly stocked with cereal.

After the announcement of Miller’s retirement on Monday, Schumer tweeted: “Seeking roommate. 20 terms in the House & unmatched legislative record preferred. Lover of cold cereal a must.”

But before you send in your application, take note: The lawmakers also reportedly have a persistent rat problem. Judging by the dusty vinyl albums on the shelves, the house hasn’t been updated since it was purchased more than three decades ago.

There is, of course, another possibility for the house: it could be sold. Miller, who’s been in Congress for 40 years, bought it in 1977 for about $90,000 and stands to make about ten times that if he sells it.

A spokesman for Miller told The Washington Post that figuring out what to do with the house is “not a priority at the moment.”

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This article originally published at http://dc.urbanturf.com/articles/blog/with_a_retirement_congressmens_alpha_house_could_be_history/7998