If you're not here, they shouldn't be either!

So, I come home tonight (Yes, I am renting and have my room) and just finished dinner when one of my roommates frineds shows up. Now I am not too picky, but my roommate has "Allowed" about 4-5 people to come here to watch a movie.

"Oh? You're done with work?" I asked (Roommate is taxi driver)

"Oh no, they came to watch a movie, I'm going back to work"

I then laid down the law "If you're not here, when they are, then they DAMN well will NOT be welcome here. I am not paying rent so people can just come by and rummage through this house with nobody watching out for it"

I told him I would permit this one time, but never, ever again.

Went too far or no? (I am still VERY PISSED about this occuring)

Awww Gene...you have no idea how happy I am for you that you found a place 
I think you were well within your rights to tell your roommate NOT to do this ever again.
There was this news story about a woman in San Francisco who did a "house swap" on a website.
When she came back after her vacation, the person(s) cleaned out her house; all her possessions and then put holes in the walls and doors.
It is not exactly the same thing but when you leave your home open to "whoever" anything can happen.  >:(
Beside, a home is your sanctuary and should be stress free.

I think you did exactly the right thing Genenco.  There is no way I would tolerate that.  Anything could happen and it just ain't right.  I would have been livid too.

blue

I don't think you went too far, your room should have asked you before inviting those people over.

No way did you go to far. Why would your roommate think that's cool. This is the time to get things out in the open. Glad you laid down the law! Gooooooooooo gene!

I think you did the right thing, but I hope your roomate understands where you are coming from and doesn't give you any problems...From your roomates point of view they may think it's ok because it's their house and their rules...you are just renting a room from them. I'm happy you have a new place now and I hope things work out for you there. I had a bad roomate situation a few months back when I was renting a room. The lady didn't like me having company period and would make rude remarks about it when I did...I fully understood that it was her house and maybe she felt uncomfortable having strangers in it, but she needed to understand that by renting it out to me it was my home also and visitors should be allowed no questions asked! It only last 1 month at that house...lol

U were WELL within your rights   I had a similar experience years ago, turns out my roomie's 'friends' helped themselves 2 things that weren't theirs   I'd also b careful that roomie's friends aren't snooping around when you're not home

I've had several roomies and it's one of those discussions we have early on: When you leave the house? So do your guests, this isn't a 'crash-pad'. Noone gets a key but you (save for a family member for emergencies, ie you lose it).
Exceptions? Family always welcome to stay if your're out for the day; I don't expect visiting family  to wait outside, lol and one or 2 out of town friends you inform me are visiting and introduce me too.
It's my home and I want to feel safe in it!

Gene don't for a moment second guess yourself. You did what was morally correct and their should of been consideration given to you.

If you are feeling you came on too harsh and don't want ill feelings with him then sit down and talk about enforcing rules of the house.

My only concern for you is the fact you are renting a "room" from this guy. How much legal jurisdiction does that give you on the rest of his place?

If your splitting everything down the middle 50/50 you have as much rights to the place he does.

In either event when someone decides to rent out a "room" or the entire apartment their needs to be some consideration and respect practiced.

Lips