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Lodger underpaying by 31p, would you make a fuss?
athina_2
Posts: 79 Forumite
Hi, I had a lodger move in 1st March. She has paid three sets of rent so far, the first was paid by cheque, the second two by standing order.
The day she moved in, she asked for a £50/month reduction which I said no to as I think the house is already at a fair rent. She is used to paying less I think as she moved from a flat with no living room and tiny kitchen to my house which is much closer to the station and the house is a large house, not a tiny new build flat so she gets a heck of a lot more space.
The second two sets of rent, she has paid 31p less than the contract she signed. The first month, I emailed her to correct it. I didn't get a reply but I didn't ask in person as I didn't think it was a big issue as it was the first time. Then again the second rent was 31p short again. I emailed again and she replied back saying she didn't correct it the first time as it's only 31p and she didn't think it was an issue.
This has bugged me a bit because the contract has the rent clearly in it and surely it's not up to her to decide if it is an issue or not. But then again it is only 31p. How much of a fuss would you make?
The day she moved in, she asked for a £50/month reduction which I said no to as I think the house is already at a fair rent. She is used to paying less I think as she moved from a flat with no living room and tiny kitchen to my house which is much closer to the station and the house is a large house, not a tiny new build flat so she gets a heck of a lot more space.
The second two sets of rent, she has paid 31p less than the contract she signed. The first month, I emailed her to correct it. I didn't get a reply but I didn't ask in person as I didn't think it was a big issue as it was the first time. Then again the second rent was 31p short again. I emailed again and she replied back saying she didn't correct it the first time as it's only 31p and she didn't think it was an issue.
This has bugged me a bit because the contract has the rent clearly in it and surely it's not up to her to decide if it is an issue or not. But then again it is only 31p. How much of a fuss would you make?
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Comments
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Boot her out she is testing you, things will only get worse if left unchecked.0
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Calm down dear, it's only 31p0
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Present her with a bill for £0.31. If that goes unpaid, next month for £0.62, next month for £0.93, etc until she yields, or you decide to 'boot her out' for non-payment.
"Calm down, dear", it's only a binding contract., after all....0 -
Block her use of toilet...........she clearly doesn't want to spend a penny
a day.
Panda xx
:Tg :jo
n 
eno:jw :T :eek:
missing kipper No 2.....:cool:0 -
Ignore it.
Chasing a lodger for something that petty and trivial will cost you more.
If it was me in that situation I know I'd suddenly find myself using more heating, hot water, electricity etc. intentionally or unintentionally.
When you're sharing a house with someone, anyone there has to be give and take.
Give a little.0 -
Well I wouldn't have raised it in the first place but the fact that you did may find you out in the long term.
It all depends on what type of character she is. Perhaps she's testing you.... perhaps it was a genuine oversight. Her reaction of "its not important" when you pointed it out is a warning sign though. (IMO)
Whatever you decide to do, it is my prediction that you'll have bigger issues to resolve with this particular lodger. (I hope I'm wrong)
Good luck.0 -
TBH, I wouldn't have come up with a monthly figure that wasn't a ''round'' number.
If its, for example £80.31 I'd ignore it, if its £80 and she's paying £ 79.69 I'd thikng she was perhaps not the ideal person for me to live with. 0 -
lostinrates wrote: »TBH, I wouldn't have come up with a monthly figure that wasn't a ''round'' number.
If its, for example £80.31 I'd ignore it, if its £80 and she's paying £ 79.69 I'd thikng she was perhaps not the ideal person for me to live with.
I would agree with this!0 -
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I would talk to her direct instead of via email. 31p may not sound a lot but if it is every month it is going to add up and thats not fair on you. Would wouldnt get away with it if it was on a mortgage or a loan.0
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