House mate from hell!

pinkshoes

fridgehead wrote: »

He left the gas on unlite for 3hrs and then claimed it wasn't him, even though we know it wasnt us as we werent even up then our nighbours phoned us and told us about the gas smell.

This is really dangerous, and could have resulted in the whole house exploding, so I think the landlord has every right to be contacted ASAP to find out exactly what sort of tenant the letting agency have put in there. Also tell him that unless this tenant is removed, you'll be moving out the second your contract ends. Do you have a 6 month break clause in your contract, so you can move out in 2 months and not 8??

How come he's just allowed to move in?!?! I've never rented anywhere where the tenant hasn't had to meet all the other housemates first to see if they approve!!

red

have you tried to get in touch with the landlord...if the landlord was aware that you were unhappy they will not be happy but the fact that agent is letting someone so dreadful move in will make them go crazy. itemise everything as you did above and let the landlord know. i would continue to put pressure on the agents also - being in the office saying they are dreadful agents will be something they will to sort out before it loses them too much business!

finally, check your legal position. bearing in mind some of the things that have happened, you could argue that you are worried about your safety and i would have thought you should be able to break your contract early.

hethmar

Id also go with speaking to your Student adviser at your uni. Is this guy also a student?

poppysarah

lonestar1 wrote: »

Leaving unlit gas running !!!!!! Im afraid with a nutte rlike that i would be moving out NOW and sorting the legal stuff out later May also be worth talking to agent as I doubt the building insurance would cover an explosion caused by gas being left on. This is not a mis match on tennant personalities this guy is dangerous. Your life is worth more than 8 months rent

I also think this is pretty serious. Not sure whats best - immediately notify the landlord and threaten to leave, whilst actually packing.

Ian_Griffiths_Halifax

It sounds to me as if the guy is on drugs or has mental health issues. I would suggest going to see a Solicitor or at least the Citizens Advice Bureau to establish your rights. Your rights might override any contract you have with the Landlord, but as others have said, I'm sure that the Landlord would be very concerned that they have let this nutter into the building and I'm amazed that he was just allowed to let him self in without meeting you first.

sooz

MoneySavingSpender wrote: »

Write to the EA quoting the relavent law that were in breach of that if they do it again you'll be calling the Police for breaking and entering.

I read it as the new tenant let themselves in, & the LA had not fore-warned the others that he was moving in.

OP - you said your property is an HMO & your deposits are protected. Are you all on individual contracts?

Call you Council tomorrow morning & ask to speak to their Private Housing Officer. You will be able to speak to somethere there much faster than at the CAB.

Whilst some of the issues are a minor annoyance (towels, food etc) leaving the gas on is dangerous. I'd be inclinded to hide the kitchen knives now. Whilst at uni, a friend's flatmate was - eventually - sectioned....he starting behaving oddly, then started to play darts with the kitchen knives.

PasturesNew

I'd worry he was in my room/going through my stuff while I was out. Doing god knows what... with my scanties. Clean and otherwise.

redcar_2

Also you might want to check out the council tax position. If he is not classified as a student but you all are then I think that means that you are liable for a single occupancy council tax.

eira

I would go straight to Student Services and tell them what you've told this forum. There are stress/safety/privacy/personal property issues etc-this could affect your work. Student Services can lean when you can't-don't forget that students are a major source of income for landlords.


Is the other person a student ? if so Student Services can speak to his tutor-if he isn't how did he get in there /

melancholly

redcar wrote: »

Also you might want to check out the council tax position. If he is not classified as a student but you all are then I think that means that you are liable for a single occupancy council tax.

well if he's the only one who's not a student, technically he is the only person who needs to pay the council tax (albeit with a single person's discount). if he is a student, he may have had to give a guarentor on the contract anyway - which is always the last resort with rubbish student housemates - contacting their parents!!