Lodger underpaying by 31p, would you make a fuss?

athina_2

Hi, she pays a round figure for rent plus the council tax, water, tv etc are on top hence why the 31p

Quite a mixed bag of reponses here on what to do. I don't think she is testing me for the sake of 31p but I do think she is a bit tight in general.

I have a spare room which she uses quite a lot (she has far more stuff in there than I do) for storage for her clothes and boxes. She asked if I could rent that out in order for her to get a reduction in rent and bills. She asked if we could continue splitting the bills 50/50 but she then splits her 50% with the new person so I pay 50%, she pays 25% and the new person pays 25%!

So money is obviously a really big issue for her. I did say no to her above suggestion.

On the other hand, she is really, really clean which is a big plus.

tbs624

Athina - this your Lodger and you *emailed her* about the underpayment? I think you perhaps have a problem with direct communication.

Talk to her *in person* ( not hard if you share the same house) and just say "under your contract the rent is £xx, please would you correct the mistake on your standing order for all future payments and let me have the shortfall by tomorrow."

The answer to "its only 31p" is "then it won't be a problem for you to pay it, as agreed, will it?" with a smile.

This sort of thing is why experienced Landlords get the tenant/lodger to complete and sign a standing order form , but then the LL delivers it to the Ts bank.

vanpiggy

You could rent out to a third person and split three ways... that way you get a reduction, she gets a reduction... you all benefit from her "helpful" suggestion which inspired you. She sounds a little bit cheeky to me... asking you to rent out a room in your own home and then pay more so that she pays less! :-)

She sounds like she'd make a good (aka ruthless) landlord!

lostinrates

athina wrote: »

Hi, she pays a round figure for rent plus the council tax, water, tv etc are on top hence why the 31p

Quite a mixed bag of reponses here on what to do. I don't think she is testing me for the sake of 31p but I do think she is a bit tight in general.

I have a spare room which she uses quite a lot (she has far more stuff in there than I do) for storage for her clothes and boxes. She asked if I could rent that out in order for her to get a reduction in rent and bills. She asked if we could continue splitting the bills 50/50 but she then splits her 50% with the new person so I pay 50%, she pays 25% and the new person pays 25%!

So money is obviously a really big issue for her. I did say no to her above suggestion.

On the other hand, she is really, really clean which is a big plus.

I would have included the above for a lodger, as opposed to a sharer, to a round number, no bills extra, just included: it reduces a sense of ''ownership'' and keeps things undercontrol. If usage is an issue explaina rent rise to reflect higher than anticipated usage: that will almost certainly curb it. Worth considering in the future.

A clean and friendly person is a necessity IMO. If you get on with her I'd drop the 31p and keep her.

tbs624

ad44downey wrote: »

Rigsby lives! :rotfl:

What an idiotic comment. Sign a contract to pay a set amount and you are contractually obliged to do so. What kind of sh*tty small-minded T underpays by 31p?

Gwhiz

She may be clean but she sounds a potential right pain in the !!!!!

1echidna

Sounds rather like a calculated insult - designed to irritate, but making effective comeback difficult. In all probability to be followed by more as others have said. You could wait your opportunity and see if there is an appropriate way to hit back but if the prospect of an acrimonious relationship is not for you best to terminate the tenancy.

shop-to-drop

I would be worried she has money problems might be worth steering conversation to money issues sometime. Chit chat about a good spreadsheet or something. (I know sounds really exciting!):D

carolt

I hope she pays you your £3,72 at the end of the year, I really do.

I mean - you're obviously pretty hard up yourself, as frankly most people would earn £3.72 in the time it took you to start a whole thread on the subject of 31p.

Tight or what. :eek:

Out,_Vile_Jelly

If she is fine in other regards (house-sharing does highlight any annoying habits) I would ignore it for now, but have it to hand for any disputes further down the line.

It's such a tiny and random amount- why would someone deliberately underpay it if not to take the pi55?