Lodger didn't move in on date agreed - tricky Q - can anyone help?

bundly

Happy said "These things happened because you didn't pick the right lodgers."

Now you are being unfair to me. How can it possibly be my fault if a person who presents himself as well groomed and civilised, has good refs and a steady (in some cases professional) job later turns out to have weird living habits? The guy who left the window open all night was a secondary school teacher; the one with the fan heater was an engineering graduate. My best lodgers so far have been a long distance lorry driver, a pensioner and a gardener.

"If they annoy you in any way then show them the door."

I think you are right. I also think the problem is, I want them to like me so the house has a friendly atmosphere, and I find it hard to be both friendly AND stern at the same time. If you are an AST landlord with tenants you don't live with, it's MUCH easier to be stern and strict, since you aren't rubbing shoulders with them every day.

"You need to be hard with lodgers who take the pee."

I agree. My failing has ALWAYS been, being too soft rather than too hard on them. I do know this. I want to be harder. I need them to show me more respect than I generally get. That is why I am practising being sterner in my dealings with the potential lodger I started this thread about.

"If they damaged something keep the deposit."

I always do. Unfortunately the damage caused by the smoking woman is well in excess of the £130 deposit I held. This is why I now take a month's rent as deposit instead of two weeks. Not that that would have helped much in her case: the damage totalled over £500.

Thanks for your advice, do keep it coming! I am happy to keep learning how to be a better landlady.

vuvuzela

ffacoffipawb wrote: »

I have used this forum since 2003. You joined 6 years later - who's the troll?

Racist comment reported to MSE Admin.

And I guess he didn't want to share with a racist.

Ignore List

• THE_ROCK84
• bundly

Please feel free to add me to your ignore list too, but the verb welshing is NOT a racist word.

welsh (wlsh, wlch) also welch (wlch)intr.v. welshed also welched, welsh·ing also welch·ing, welsh·es also welch·es Informal 1. To swindle a person by not paying a debt or wager.
2. To fail to fulfill an obligation.

dancingfairy

Bundly - I think your rules sound a bit weird and would put some people off. I understand why you feel the need to have done it like you have and you have had some weird people. I think I would be as short and to the point as possible - perhaps something along the lines of ' lodgers are asked to behave in a responsible manner, be considerate of other housemates and to take care not to damage the fabric of the building' or something to that effect.
No loud music after 10pm/11pm.
No kids to stay overnight.
No pets.

If they break the rules - give them a warning or give them notice and move them on.
df

bundly

dancingfairy wrote: »

Bundly - I think your rules sound a bit weird and would put some people off. I understand why you feel the need to have done it like you have and you have had some weird people. I think I would be as short and to the point as possible - perhaps something along the lines of ' lodgers are asked to behave in a responsible manner, be considerate of other housemates and to take care not to damage the fabric of the building' or something to that effect.
No loud music after 10pm/11pm.
No kids to stay overnight.
No pets.

If they break the rules - give them a warning or give them notice and move them on.
df

Oh gosh, I suppose on reflection you are right. I've been adding these rules each time some weird lodger acts in some weird way, as though I am trying to pre-empty every possible variation of weirdness.

Maybe I just need to say, "This is a beautiful home for civilised people, not a ragbag squat. Please behave accordingly."

How about that? Mind you, the word "civilised" is open to every individual's interpretation.

The main reason I give a list of written houserules (which they have to agree to and sign, by the way!) is that I feel that if I have given them the rules in writing, then I never need to nag them in person. I'd hate it if I was pounced on and moaned at as soon as I entered the front door of my home every day. I'd dread going home and go to the pub instead.

bundly

I have news!

The guy who viewed on Tuesday (No2) just phoned and will take the room, despite the fact that I printed out and gave him the 3-page list of rules.

He wants to move in in a couple of weeks. He's coming tonight to leave a deposit. I will compose a proper deposit receipt that says failure to take up residency on the date agreed forfeits the deposit.


Once I have the cash deposit in my hands I will tell No1 that, having found another man to take the room, I am withdrawing my offer of accommodation and retaining his deposit to cover rent owed until the room is re-let.

I will charge No1 £10.71 a day until No2 moves in. Because that is the actual rent I have lost as a result of No1's breaking our agreement.

Does that sound OK?

dibblersan

sounds like excellent news. hope it goes well for you.

bundly

dibblersan wrote: »

sounds like excellent news. hope it goes well for you.

Thanks! And to cap it all, I've just had a message from someone via a room to let website, from a man who lives 300 miles away and only wants the room for 2 to 3 days a week, and is happy to pay £80 a week for the privilege.

YIKES. It would be better to have someone who is rarely here - less pressure on the bathroom and kitchen, less noise, etc.

Crikey! Have to think hard now what to do.

Seanymph

Take the three days a weeker!

Keep the deposit until he starts paying.

Put in your terms 'do nothing during occupancy to cause damage to fabric or furnishings to the property' and 'clean and remove any evidence of occupancy before vacating room'.

Then they have to scrape off their own damned candle wax.

Are you a Libran by any chance? My daughter has the same issues over making decisions...

Gwhiz

vuvuzela wrote: »

Please feel free to add me to your ignore list too, but the verb welshing is NOT a racist word.

welsh (wlsh, wlch) also welch (wlch)intr.v. welshed also welched, welsh·ing also welch·ing, welsh·es also welch·es Informal 1. To swindle a person by not paying a debt or wager.
2. To fail to fulfill an obligation.

ffacoffipawb cannot be serious, surely? If so then he's a complete idiot or a troll!!!!

bundly

Seanymph wrote: »

Take the three days a weeker!

Keep the deposit until he starts paying.

Put in your terms 'do nothing during occupancy to cause damage to fabric or furnishings to the property' and 'clean and remove any evidence of occupancy before vacating room'.

Then they have to scrape off their own damned candle wax.

Are you a Libran by any chance? My daughter has the same issues over making decisions...

Nope, cancerian. But I do seem to think like a libran at times LOL.

As for the candle wax (and secret smoking) lady, I threw her out (with police assistance) for being paralytic drunk and verbally abusive to me one night. I only let her back in to pack and remove her belongings. So there was no notice period, her deposit was used up in rent owed between my ejecting her and her removing her goods, and repairing and cleaning up after her was done at my own expense. She'd lived here nearly five years and I'd never seen her drink let alone drunk in all that time.

Thank you for that wording, I intend to incorporate it into my new, streamlined house rules!