Landlord is irresponsible

wizk1

Hi everyone. I'm in a bit of a difficult situation at the moment. I live as a lodger in a friend's house (he owns and lives in it. I pay rent).

earlier this year, he had left the front door unlocked when he went out (while I was still in the house), in spite of me indicating how risky it is to do that. Needless to say, that day, someone entered the house and stolen items including my digital camera from my bedroom as it is the nearest room to the front door. I have insurance, but I wasn't prepared to pay an excess and have my premium increase as a result of claiming. That would have been a bit of a false economy.

Quite recently, on 2 occasions, he had left the freezer door open ruining whatever food was inside (both mine and his).

On all these occasions, he just laughed it off and hadn't even offered to replace the items he caused the demise of. I don't know if I have a cause to complain to him about this seeing as he's leaving me out of pocket, having replaced the camera and the food myself. Am I being unreasonable?

olias

No you are not being unreasonable.

Sorry to state the obvious, but if he is a friend could you not just say, 'I don't want to sound a bore, but on x & y occasions I was left £x amount out of pocket because you left the door unlocked/freezer open. I really can't afford to be losing this sort of money again, can you please try and make sure it doesn't happen again.' You could even say that next time you'll have to take it off the rent (make it tongue in cheek, even though you are serious so as not to fall out.)

Olias

ILW

Either that, or if it is all too much, move somewhere else.

poppysarah

Move.

It's less hassle.

welshy_2002

If you were in the house when it was burgled then it's not exactly his fault is it. Leaving an empty house unlocked is asking for trouble. leaving the door unlocked when there's someone inside and it then being burgled, is just unlucky.

If he's stupid enough to leave the freezer open twice, then he's obviously too stupid to recognize how you feel.

I'd start the war off gently (yes, it is a war). Start using his food in the freezer while not stocking yours up. If he asks where his food has gone, just tell him you've lost food so your now eating his (he should then get the message)

Basically, your cutting off his supply line. He has to take action to prevent starvation..

Good luck soldier!

Welshy

jenny74

I agree with PPs; move. He won't change.

wizk1

Thank you for your replies everyone. I should say something to him with the threat of deducting my rent. I'm not a particularly confrontational person and I can't help but feel what I say will fall upon deaf ears. Also the reason I will probably not go down the vigilante route, but thank you nonetheless welshy_2002. But this is getting me down. I know my problems aren't of the same magnitude of problems of others in the world, but they're still my problems I guess.

Failing that, moving to somewhere where I don't have friendship ties would be my best bet. Countless times I've heard people say "never move in with friends!", and I sometimes wish I heeded that advice.

Jowo_2

Did you ask the landlord to pay or are you just assuming that he'll refuse? How about presenting a receipt for the stolen/damaged goods and if he doesn't compensate you or apologise, then hand in your notice.

He sounds like an oaf because of his accident prone and negligent behaviour, plus his lack of courtesy in not apologising or compensating you, the latter being at his discretion but would be the action of a good friend or decent landlord.

As your personal safety is at risk from an unlocked door, I'd be inclined to move rather than worry about confronting an opportunistic burglar.

Alternatively, perhaps you can buy (or ask your landlord to) fit a lock on your bedroom door (with thumb catch inside) and safe from Argos and permission to have a separate small fridge/freezer.