Big Badger House (aka Noisy Lodger) HE'S GONE!

Nope, definitely don't feel that you have to rent out to anyone you're not comfortable with!

I had one guy view my room, and while I'm fairly open-minded, I do prefer to spend my time with people who, you know, wash, even just *sometimes*. The guy showed up (an hour late) and absolutely stunk to high heavens, he looked like he hadn't washed his hair in months, it really grossed me out.

He had no concept of personal space, and in the 20 minutes I tolerated him being in my house he told me gruesome details of his friend's sex life, how he liked to regularly get so drunk he didn't know his own name, how filthy he'd left his last two houses, how he was trying to scam his current landlord (who, it turns out, is my lovely local shopkeeper!) into being liable for his council tax through some BS loophole and how his other previous landlord had been a-ok with him paying his rent as and when he wished. I was seriously checking the house for candid cameras by the end of it, I couldn't believe this guy was for real!!

He also grabbed my hand to shake it before he left (the polite thing is to OFFER!!) and that just tipped me right off the OCD scale!!!

He then called back within 20 minutes saying he'd take the house. I was so horrified and I couldn't bring myself to say that he was too stinky and vile to live in my house, so I blurted out that unfortunately I'd just had a text from the previous tennant who wanted his room back (ironically enough this actually happened a week later...) so he said, well, I've got my deposit ready. I reiterated that the room was no longer available and thanked him for calling.

He then texted me to reiterate that he was packed up and ready to move in with his deposit in hand. He then called me again from a different number to say the same thing. Then he called me again. I did not pick up the phone. Then I had three missed calls number withheld!! I guess he really wanted that room!!

Seriously though, telling prospective landlord all that stuff!! What an idiot!!

So, if what sounds like a fairly bigoted and egotistical dude is not what you're looking for, I suggest you come up with some inventive excuses to have at the ready! (Or you could be more of a grown up than I am and just say "I don't think you're what we're looking for"!)

Good luck, make sure you're as well informed as possible!

furryjen78 wrote: »

So I put an ad on spareroom yesterday and had a reply from a (very) welsh man who asked if the house was on a council estate and whether there were any poles living nearby...because he had a nice car and didn't want it trashed.

Do I need to be worried?? He's coming round tonight to view the room. I keep telling myself that it's a two way thing - we don't have to offer him the room!

Tell him you have other people to interview too and then you don't have to tell him face to face.

furryjen78 wrote: »

Can I just say, that having read all through this thread this morning I am now terrified!

Myself and OH due to a serious dip in income (damn the redundancy train that keeps on rolling) have decided we need to take a lodger in. I really, really don't want to, but needs must...

So I put an ad on spareroom yesterday and had a reply from a (very) welsh man who asked if the house was on a council estate and whether there were any poles living nearby...because he had a nice car and didn't want it trashed.

Do I need to be worried?? He's coming round tonight to view the room. I keep telling myself that it's a two way thing - we don't have to offer him the room!

Its hit and miss. There are extremely dodgy people out there who cause nothing but havoc, equally, there are nice people who will pay rent on time, never cause problems etc.

My experience with renting a room was bad, as one of the tenants who moved in was truly mental, it ended with her being kicked out and us (me and gf) leaving, due to harassment before she was finally booted out. We vowed never to do it again (as tenants).

He he, i've not bought motor oil lately and duckhams was the only one i could think of! Castrol perhaps then ?:j

Badger_Lady wrote: »

My newest trick is making them a cup of tea and having a group chat with all the house residents - if they decline and won't stay for a chat, they're out. If they chat but turn out to be really creepy, they're out. Even if we love them, I still say, "we've got a few more people coming round, but here's the application form if you decide you're interested" - that way I can always say it's been taken. It's useful being able to chat it over with NiceSoFarLodger too!

I use the cup of tea technique too If they wont be sociable enough to have a cup of tea with you while you check out whether they are wierd or have any gross habits you need to know about then they are too great a risk anyway!