Query about evicting lodger

Sue_bee_2

Hi all,

I have a problem with my lodger, and am wondering what I need to do to evict her, in particular, what is considered "reasonable" notice?

I bought my house just over a year ago, and a "friend" moved in as a lodger. She signed a license, not a tenancy agreement, and I live in the property. We live in England. We agreed on a month's notice for ending this arrangement.

She was originally supposed to pay rent monthly, but when she changed jobs moved to weekly pay, which is paid by standing order on a Friday.

Living with her is an absolute nightmare. She behaves like a stroppy 15 year old, and has no consideration for others. We have previously given her a warning that if she continued to have tantrums and be rude to us, we would ask her to leave. Her behaviour improved for a few months (she even took the rubbish out once!) but has gone down hill. I dread going home, and constantly feel on edge in my own house.

Last weekend my partner and I invited two mutual friends round for dinner, and sent her a text saying that they were coming over, but there would be plenty of food for her too if she wanted. She sat with us, all evening, barely saying a word. Then, after our friends left, she had a go at me for inviting people round and was really quite unpleasant. The weekend just gone, she came out for a different mutual friend's birthday, sulked, caused a scene in the pub and then told lies about people and generally acted like a manipulative drama queen.

I want her out of my house. The license says I will give her four weeks notice, but has she is now paying rent weekly, does this still apply? Four weeks notice would mean that she would be moving out during a weekend when I am supposed to be away at a wedding - I don't want to miss the wedding of one of my oldest friends, but I really don't like the idea of her moving out when I'm not there as I don't trust her not to do something mean. Also, I'm worried that once I give her her notice, she'll be even worse.

A few months ago, she expressed an interest in taking a room in a shared house elsewhere, I know there is a room there coming available in a couple of weeks. Would this help my case for asking her to leave sooner?

Sorry for writing such an essay, but I wanted to provide all the information that I thought would be relevant. Any suggestions about this would be much appreciated.

BitterAndTwisted

Lodgers have no legal security of tenure so even if you have a signed agreement that you'll give a month's notice if you don't want her to remain in your home any longer you should ask her to go now. Give her seven days maximum to find elsewhere or you'll pack her things and leave them on the doorstep/

Incyder

I'm a lodger, and a darn good one,
but
lodgers have no security.

Whatever you signed as a 'licence' I've not heard of and bet its just a 'nice' thing to do with no legal power attached to it.

I'm sure you have the power to kick her out immediatley and change the locks.
If she reufuses, the police can come and remove her as an unwanted guest.

To keep things clean and simple, perhaps give her 2 weeks notice so she is gone before your wedding trip.

Sue_bee_2

Hi,

Thanks both of you for taking the time to read and reply to my post.

The license we signed calls itself a "license to occupy" I understand it's the same sort of thing you have when you're a student in a hall of residence? It's definitely not a proper tenancy agreement though, which is a big relief at the moment!

Thanks again,
Sue

G_M

She shares accomodation with her landlady (you) so whatever is witten in or on the agreement, she is a lodger, not a tenant.

She has no security and few rights.

Try doing it the friendly way - a chat, explanation that it's not working/you need the room back/whatever and give her whatever you feel is reasonable time (a week?).

Then see what her reaction is. If she's reasonable, agrees etc, fine. If she goes mental and you fear she might damage your property/make your life hell for a week, then tell her to leave tomorrow. And if she still turns nasty, call the local police.

spirit

sue,

I used to have lodgers until recently. I also had license to occupy forms (which I got from the Landlordzone website). Not sure of their legal standing but it does point out the lodgers responsibilities in terms of notice etc. Also having one of these shows that it is not a Tenancy they have should things get a bit stickly.

As the others have said, give her the 2 weeks and get your house back.

I used to enjoy having lodgers around but don't miss these hassles at all now I don't have them. :T

Good luck and keep us posted