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Is he a lodger?

Wkdwill
Wkdwill Posts: 825 Forumite
edited 16 April 2011 at 7:59AM in House buying, renting & selling
Hi

Im wondering if anyone could help me, 2 weeks ago DH's best friend was kicked out by his wife, she took his wage and told him to leave, so we invited him to stay with us, he sleeps in a spare room, we dont ask for rent off him, as he hasn't been staying here all the time (hes been staying at his mum and dads on odd few night too), he has bought food in to make up for anything he has used and put a bit in the gas and electric meters but other than that we haven't taken anything off him, he's also paid for petrol for any time he has needed to borrow our car (which we checked to make sure he is covered to drive).

His wife has been texting and ringing my DH a lot saying she wants £100 or he wont see the kids and general abusive texts demanding money, then this week she wants £200 or she will report us to the council for him living here.

We are council tenants, we dont receive any benefits, we pay full rent and full council tax, so I never really gave it a thought that he might be classed as a lodger. I have checked the councils guide book and it says that we are allowed lodgers without there permission but have to inform them in writing when he comes to live and when he leaves.

Is he actually classed as a lodger? Although I am going to inform the council of what is going on just to cover us.

Thanks

Comments

  • sequence
    sequence Posts: 1,877 Forumite
    You can have anyone to stay for any reason. You don't need to notify the council.
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    He's not a lodger, he's a friend staying for awhile. But even if he were a lodger there's f3ck all you're doing wrong.

    She's clearly a manipulative b1tch and should be ignored. Her actions should be reported for extortion and blackmail though.
  • Wkdwill
    Wkdwill Posts: 825 Forumite
    Thanks for your replies.

    I never thought we were doing anything wrong, just helping our friend out, I just wanted to make sure we wouldn't get into any trouble.

    DH has just come home from work and told me she has said she reported us to the council, although she only has our names.
  • Yorkie1
    Yorkie1 Posts: 12,269 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    He's not a lodger, he's a friend staying for awhile. But even if he were a lodger there's f3ck all you're doing wrong.

    She's clearly a manipulative b1tch and should be ignored. Her actions should be reported for extortion and blackmail though.

    Seriously, that's not a bad suggestion if she keeps upping the ante. If you've retained the text messages, and she's demanding money with threats to do something to your detriment, then that is blackmail. A complaint to the police would result in a visit to her and hopefully she'd wind her neck in pronto.
  • poppysarah
    poppysarah Posts: 11,522 Forumite
    If she is ringing you and harrassing you then feel free to report her to the police.

    She's being nasty.

    He should try to get access to the kids - keep this continuing and seek legal advice. Perhaps he should suggest mediation for him and her?
This discussion has been closed.
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