Problem with lodger

Teterow

I wondered if anyone could offer some helpful advice.

I have a lodger, who moved in 2 months ago. She has given me notice that she doesnt want to renew the lodgers agreement after 3 months. Fine by me, but I had to press her to give me a written notice.
She now wants me to use the bond money as her last months rent! I have told her that this is not acceptable. In the contract it says she should pay the rent by standing order, but I let her off as she has issues with her online banking.

I get the feeling she wants everything on her terms and ignores the lodgers agreement, when it comes to keeping to deadlines or money.
I am really fed up, and want her last month rent, as the bond is there to cover any potential damage. I told her that I dont expect any damage, but its the principle of things.

The rent was due on the 3rd and I had a lengthy conversation with her but she wouldnt agree.

What are my rights? Can I tell her to pay or move out and keep part of the bond as the rent, I might lose?

Advice much appreciated - as I want to confront her again this evening.

Thanks

Any

Hi Teterow,
I suggest you post this into House Buying, Renting section. They have a huge experience with this sort of thing.

colino

Her rent is overdue, present her with a letter stating that in agreement with your written contract, she is breach of her lease and she has 24 hours to vacate the premises. She will either grudgingly cough up (so what) or you are entitled to ease her departure.

max2009

Like above tell her to leave within 24 hours and give her the bond money back.

lynfs

yes, put her under pressure, clearly state her obligations, give her adequate notice and she wont have a leg to stand on

geordie_joe

Looking at it from her point of view, and not casting any doubt on your honesty, but trying to think of things she may be thinking but not wanting to say.

You already have more than enough of her money to cover her last months rent, so you are not going to lose out.

You may let her move out then not give the bond back. You could make up some fictitious damage as a reason to keep the bond.

In short, she may not trust you to give the bond back.

I'm not say you won't, but having lived in privately rented accommodation for ten years I have heard many stories of landlords who do. When I left my flat two years ago the letting agency tried it on with me, unsuccessfully due to me being lazy and leaving a letter in the cutlery draw for ten years.

I'm sure you are completely honest, and would not dream of not giving the bond back if she leaves the place as she found it. But from her point of view, she may have not got her bond back from a previous landlord when she should have.

Landlords are like dogs, once one bites you you lose trust in them all.

So try looking at it from her point of view, she may be thinking that she isn't going to get her bond back AGAIN!

If she leaves and you waive her off with a smile and a promise to forward her band to her new address, then send a letter saying she's not getting the bond back because she didn't leave the place as she found it. What protection would she have? Is her bond protected, or is she relying on your honesty?

She may have relied on the honesty of a landlord before, then found that the honest face was masking a dishonest personality.

As I said, I'm not saying you would be dishonest , just that she may think you might be, and is trying to minimise the amount of money you can take her for.

border_collie

Is she a lodger in your house?

I thought there were far less rights for lodgers.

She could just up and off whenevershe wants as well.

I would be glad that you have the bond.

lynfs

any update taterow?

Dr.Shoe_2

I'm with Geordie Joe on this one. She is probably worried that she won't get it back. Moreover, she may need to cough up for her next home, a months rent and a bond in advance and may not have enough to pay rent to you. A compromise could be for you to promise to give it to her in her hand on departure... Has she any reason to mistrust you?

What has her honesty been like? Has she always paid on time? Has she treated your property with due respect? What were her references like? Do you have any reason to think that she might deliberately vandalise your property or anything?

Teterow

My boyfriend has put some pressure on her this morning and it seems that she has apologised to him and said we would see the rent this evening. He has assured her that she will get her bond back, provided she leaves the place as she has found it.

I wouldnt dream of keeping her money without a good reason for it.

Must admit, this has been a real pain....

brooke3

colino wrote: »

Her rent is overdue, present her with a letter stating that in agreement with your written contract, she is breach of her lease and she has 24 hours to vacate the premises. She will either grudgingly cough up (so what) or you are entitled to ease her departure.

I'm pretty sure it's illegal to do that. You have to give something like four to six weeks notice to have her evicted.

I've lodged with people before and rented so many houses and it's nearly always been the way that I didn't pay the last months rent, it's just so much easier on everyone involved.

I assume that you have her deposit in one of those special schemes that you're supposed to put it in and not just in your bank account? If you do then there's not really much reason for her to worry. You should maybe explain that to her and that might put her mind at ease a bit more.