Renter or Lodger??

CardiffGirl_3

Help! This is a long post and I apologize in advance...

I've been living with a couple in their flat since September (therefore as a lodger and not a tenant) but lately we have not been getting along. Part of it is probably my fault, but the landlady is being overly critical (i.e. yelling for not turning off lights or wiping feet before entering the flat, not taking out garbage, etc.). Meanwhile, the shower in the bathroom is not working that well, and neither are the heat or the hot water. I've complained/explained my position, but she ignores it, yet makes the aformentioned minor issues into major ones. Yesterday she demeanded to see my room to make sure it was up to her standards, and was upset when I asked for half an hour in order to ensure my personal items were put away. She then entered the room and complained that "all I can smell is dust." I hoover the room every week (sometimes twice) and dust as well. Regardless, this does not seem to be an appropriate comment to make. She then threatened to withhold privileges in the kitchen or to make me buy my own pots and pans and store them in my room. Granted, some tape I had on the wall did remove small sections of paint, and I have already indicated I will pay for the touch-ups.

Obviously, this is not an ideal situation and I would like to move. However, I did sign a tenancy agreement which does not expire until June 30. The original agreement was from September 1 to January 1, but was renewed at a time when we got along. I was wondering if the fact that I'm a lodger and not actually a tenant would help me escape the agreement?

Any advice would be most welcome!

poppysarah

Move.

You're a lodger. Move when you want. Have you got a deposit?

You can't have any tenants rights as lodgers don't. So no obligation to stay.

03022242

move there are plenty of empty properties & flats available in cardiff!!

Doozergirl

You're a lodger

Move out; be happy! :dance:

PasturesNew

From the list of things you say she yells at you for - and other items in your post, it seems you're probably quite an annoying person to live with if it's the landlord's own home - those are common gripes with lodgers from an owner's point of view.

Maybe you need to not be a lodger in someone's home.

Move out, there are loads of places in your area where you can live in a normal shared house.

CardiffGirl_3

Thanks for all the replies!

I actually do take out the trash and I hoover the entire flat at least once a week as well. I can live with the griping (because I do understand it's her home) but it's the demanding access to my room part that I find concerning.

spirit

Cardiffgirl, your landlady sounds like the LL from hell. I'd be outta there too.

I have had lodgers for 3 years and do not lay down the law like that. she can't just barge into your room, that is just not on. People like her give the good ones a bad name. What's with the withholding privileges bit all about, does she think you are a kid!

There are a lot better places out there honey and when you have moved you will wonder why you stuck it for as long as you have.

pavlovs_dog

as a lodger you don't have that many rights

I don't know if an AST is valid or enforcable in your circumstances