Lodger Conditions?, too slack/too strict?

ben1985

Hi there, thanks for all the help with rent a room scheme.

Now i need your advice, this is the lodging conditions I have written for my lodger and any future ones. Can you please tell me which bits you think shouldn't be there and why and anything you think that i've missed.

The full lodging contract written by me is below, happy reading:)

Regards

Ben




Lodger Conditions

The lodger must adhere to all the following conditions listed below.
In the case of any conditions, being broken each case will be considered individually. This may warrant a warning in a minor case or possible ‘termination by notice’ in which the Licensee would continue to pay the rent for the notice period before the ‘Licence agreement for lodger’ ended and the Licensee left the property.
These conditions apply to:
1.0- Every type of animal is completely prohibited within the flat. No pets must enter the flat.
2.0- No smoking is allowed anywhere in the flat, smoking may be allowed in the front garden outside the entrance depending on the Licensors opinion at the time.
3.0- No overnight guests and/or dinner guests without the prior consent of the Licensor.
4.0- The licensee is responsible for the behaviour of their guests at all times.
5.0- The Licensor reserves the right to ask Guest’s of the Licensee to leave immediately if the Licensor deems this necessary at any time in his opinion.
6.0- Overnight guests will be able to stay a maximum of 2 nights in a 7-day period; the period is ultimately up to the Licensor. Any demand for potential increase desired by the lodger for a guest will be discussed with the Licensor. The Licensor will then discuss this with the Licensee and if the Licensor deems a longer stay acceptable then the Licensor will discuss charges relating to the Licensee’s Guest. This will then be presented to the guest of the Licensee. If the Licensee does not agree to comply with the charges then the Guest of the Licensee will only be able to stay a Maximum of 2 nights in a 7-day period.
7.0- The Licensee must ensure that any outdoor footwear is taken off at the top of the stairs at the latest. The licensee must place his footwear in a place as to avoid causing a tripping hazard. The Licensee is also responsible for enforcing this rule over guests.
8.0- There must be no loud music of any kind from either a TV or a music centre played after 11:00PM without headsets. Outside of this time, any volume of music should not be excessive and disrupt the Licensor.
9.0- Whilst in the flat, modesty and courtesy should prevail. A minimum of t-shirt/shirt and underwear should be worn at all times in the household. Nudity is not permitted outside the ‘allocated bedroom’ of the Licensee.
10.0- Whilst using the bathroom it is the Licensee’s responsibility to ensure the bathroom is cleaned to, a ‘reasonable standard’ after the Licensee has used the bathroom for any length of time. It will not need to be cleaned to a professional level but as long as any ‘mess’ created is cleaned up/ reduced after each ‘visit’ then this will be acceptable.
11.0- The Licensor will provide the Licensee with a towel, which the Licensee must use exclusively. The Licensee must not use the towels of the Licensor.
12.0- When the Licensee is using the kitchen, any cooking/reheating/drink-making resulting in any mess/dirt on any surface must be cleaned. Again, like the bathroom, it will not need cleaning to a professional standard but just to remove the initial dirt. Common kitchen examples would be wiping the side, cooker, microwave.
13.0- The Licensee must also wash and dry any plates that he uses for any meals. Unwashed pots must not be allowed to accumulate in the kitchen. A maximum of 3 days is acceptable. On occasions longer than this which become regular and the Licensor will have a word with the Licensee.
14.0- Any breakages, which happen because of the Licensee (Malicious, Intentional and accidental), must be replaced. The Licensor will seek out the cheapest similar model (as is reasonably practical) and ask the Licensee to pay the costs. If the Licensee refuses to do so, the Licensor will invoke the ‘termination by notice’ and the Licensee will leave the property after the notice period. This also applies to guests of the Licensee, who the licensee is responsible for (damage-wise) as soon as they enter the property.
15.0- No drugs are permitted within the flat. The Licensee takes full responsibility for any guests entering the property as regards under the influence of drugs. Any Guests of the Licensee found to be under the influence of drugs will immediately be asked to leave the premises. Anybody not complying with this request and the policing authorities will be called immediately
16.0- Alcohol is permitted inside the flat for the personal use of the Licensee and is to be purchased by the Licensee. Unless the Licensee has given previous notice and been granted permission, the Licensee is not permitted to bring back guests under the influence of alcohol. Each case will be considered individually but the ultimate decision of intoxicated guest’s entry into the flat lies with the Licensor and not the Licensee.
17.0- The Licensee is NOT permitted to use any heaters within his allocated bedroom. This includes but is not limited to; Halogen, electric fan, gas fire or oil-filled radiator. This would be an un-economical use of electric as the flat contains full central heating throughout and a radiator within the lodger’s allocated bedroom.
18.0- The Licensee is NOT to tamper with any heating controls/switches/timers. When the Licensor anticipates being away for a few days the central heating will be set on a timer system to provide adequate heat throughout the house. This will be set according to the season of the time. E.g., shorter for summer and longer for winter.
19.0- The Licensee is recommended to change the address details of all bills, letters and packages to the new lodging address. The Licensor will provide the Licensee with the full address so the Licensee can change the address details of whatever the Licensee thinks is relevant. Either any other mail received at the flat, which is not addressed to the Licensor, or the Licensee will be returned to sender.


20.0- The Licensee will have to pay £5 for his/hers copy of the key. It is the Licensee’s responsibility to ensure the safekeeping of the key. If the Licensee lost his/hers, key than the Licensor would arrange to have the locks changed. The Licensor would get five different quotes from locksmiths and use the cheapest locksmith. The Licensee would then pay the full cost of the locks being changed. The Licensee as him/her lost their keys would pay this cost. These keys could then be found and potentially, by somebody be traced to the door they fit. This constitutes a serious security risk and that is the primary reason for the action being taken.
21.0- The Money received by the Licensor from the Licensee covers: One furnished room, contributions towards all utility and council tax bills, washing and drying of clothes and usage of room facilities (bathroom, front room) as appropriate.
22.0- The Money received by the Licensor from the Licensee will not cover, any food, any internet access (unless Licensee has DSL phone line installed), any cleaning activities carried out specifically because of the Licence’s failure to clean anything up themselves.
23.0- The Licensor on a weekly basis will carry out washing & drying. The Licensee is to place all the clothing that needs washing in the ‘laundry area’. The clothes will then be washed, dried and returned to the entrance of the allocated Licence’s bedroom. The Licensor will not iron any clothes; this is the responsibility of the Licensee.
24.0- Within the lodgers allocated bedroom there will be a fire alarm. The Licensor will have tested this after it was initially fitted. However, it is the responsibility of the Licensee to regularly test the fire alarm and report a faulty unit to the Licensor who will obtain and fit a new one.
25.0- The Licensee will be provided with a cupboard in the kitchen to store purchased food. There will also be a space provided in the freezer for any frozen food.
26.0- The Licensor will not enter the Licensee’s ‘allocated room’ without the Licensee’s permission. The only circumstances in which this would not be followed would be in the event of the fire alarm going off or similar emergencies.
27.0- The Licensee will need to purchase his/hers own TV Licence if the Licensee has their own TV within their room. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to check the Television Licensing laws and ensure the rules are followed.
28.0- If the situation in the flat deteriorated to such a degree that the Licensor and the Licensee were unable to live together then the following conditions apply: If the Licensee wants to leave they have the option of either leaving immediately and paying in lieu of notice (PILON), in this case the weekly amount X the notice period would need to be paid instantly. As an example, £80 a week and 4 weeks notice, leaving immediately would become £320. This must be paid via cash or instant bank transfer (Fastpay). Alternatively, the Licensee can enter the ‘termination by notice’ period, then the Licensee would continue to stay at the premises, and pay the usual rent until the notice period is up and then the Licensee leave the property at the end of the notice period.
29.0- If the Licensor was not happy with the Licensee for whatever reason and the Licensor wanted the Licensee to leave the property then the Licensor will always comply with the notice period in the ‘licence agreement for lodger’. For example if the notice period was 4 weeks and the Licensor wanted the Licensee to leave, the Licensor would give the Licensee 4 weeks notice in which to find another property or make alternative accommodation arrangements. In this instance the usual rent amount is payable at the usual date until the notice period ends.
30.0- If the Licensee leaves the property for any length of time within the term of the lodging agreement (e.g. holiday, stay anywhere) then no reduction of rent is permitted. The usual frequency and amount of rent must be paid as legally agreed.
31.0- The Licensee must ensure that all lights are switched off when leaving the allocated room for any circumstances unless a short return (<4min) is anticipated.
32.0- Re-iterating previous conditions, the Licensee is ultimately responsible for the behaviour of any guests which are known to him/her or that come to see him/her. Any Guests of the Licensee which cause any damage or that the Licensee does not want within the household will be asked to leave or in some circumstances permanently barred if the Licensor deems this necessary.
33.0- If the Licensor is going away from the property, he will inform the Licensee before he goes away as quickly as is possible. The Licensor will then explain to the Licensee how long he expects to be gone. Whilst the Licensor is away from the property for at least one night, the following conditions apply: If the Licensee is to be away from the property for at least one night, he MUST notify the Licensor. This is very important so that the Licensor knows there is someone in/not in the flat. It is also imperative that the Licensee on exit from the property locks the front door. If any burglary occurs, particularly without forced entry and it is discovered that the Licensee left the door open at one time then the Licensee is fully liable for the full replenishment of any goods stolen from the flat.
Licensor Contact Details: Phone/E-mail: (Leave message if off)
I, the undersigned agree to all the conditions listed above and accept that I will follow them at all times. The Licensor and/or Licensee not adhering to the above conditions constitutes a breach of contract, which may have legal consequences.
Licensee: Print Name___________________Signed________________ Date:______
Licensor: Print Name___________________Signed_________________Date:______
Witness: Print Name___________________Signed_________________Date:______

superfran_uk

I take back what I said about wanting to be your lodger. I'd be too scared of what you might do to me if I borrowed one of your towels or left the light on for 4.5 minutes!

It's far too longwinded. There are FAR too many rules. I have a feeling your mate will laugh, and then re-consider his decision to move in with you.

love_the_messenger

This is a joke, right? Or you've taken an overdose of crack?!

Pssst

Do you rules apply to you also?

LinasPilibaitisisbatman

Wow you are a bit of an !!!!

Tbh if you expect anyone to sign that you are living on another planet, some conditions are reasonable but the majority are totally unacceptable.

Its also worth noting you can't use it to get out of statutory requirements. for example as a landlord fire alarms are your responsibility.

Secondly the rent should factor in full use of heating, lights etc as they see fit. You shouldnt be limiting these and I would tell you were to go.

love_the_messenger

Please add:

"Lodger is not to defecate without prior permission of landlord. Any and all turds must be presented for inspection by landlord. Any 'solids' that are over 4 inches in length or diameter are not allowed and must not be flushed down toilet without prior permission..."

superfran_uk

love_the_messenger wrote: »

Please add:

"Lodger is not to defecate without prior permission of landlord. Any and all turds must be presented for inspection by landlord. Any 'solids' that are over 4 inches in length or diameter are not allowed and must not be flushed down toilet without prior permission..."

:rotfl:

Also why would they need a separate TV license? Do you not have a TV? You only need one per house.

You sound a bit like a nazi with those rules, I hate to say it but if he's your mate, you should be able to come to a reasonable understanding without reams of paper which is probably legally unenforceable - what's all this 'licensor' and 'licensee' rubbish, what's wrong with landlord and lodger?!? Are you trying to sound intelligent??

If you think he's going to be an !!!! to live with, which is exactly what is implied by your list, don't live with him in the first place!

maninthestreet

A strict interpretation of your rules would prohibit the lodger taking a bath or shower, as nudity is not allowed outside of the bedroom. Though the lodger does have a the right to wander around the property in a t-shirt and underpants, which is nice.

Ms_Chocaholic

This has got to be a joke. I break a cup, refuse to pay and you throw me out - you'll make a great landlord

love_the_messenger

The funniest thing about this thread is that the OP has the audacity to ask us if we think his rules are "too slack"

ROFLMAO

love_the_messenger

maninthestreet wrote: »

A strict interpretation of your rules would prohibit the lodger taking a bath or shower, as nudity is not allowed outside of the bedroom. Though the lodger does have a the right to wander around the property in a t-shirt and underpants, which is nice.

Innit!:D:D:D:D:D:D:D