Help - lodger moved out without paying notice

Emma.r.cole

Hi all.
Please help! Last week (18th June) I spoke to my lodger and asked her to move out on the 23rd July. I have a signed contract which states that "either party may at any time end the agreement early by giving to the other 4 weeks notice". I gave slightly over 4 weeks notice, I then went away for a long weekend and when I returned she had moved out. She is refusing to pay the 4 weeks notice rent as she has already moved out and I was the one who gave her notice, so I am out of pocket. Surely the contract is there to make sure i'm not out of pocket and she doesn't get kicked out with no notice. Do I have a leg to stand on to get my money from her?
Please help if anyone else has been in this situation!

spirit

Lodgers are not bound by any so called contracts. You have no redress I'm afraid. Lodgers occupy your property under licence agreement not a tenancy so any contract you might draw up isn't really worth the paper it's written on.

G_M

You wanted her out. She's out. Has she nicked anything? Broken anything?

If not, just be glad and move on. Advertise for a new lodger; you'll get one before 23rd July.

Emma.r.cole

So in future should I not give the 4 weeks notice?

Emma.r.cole

I've already got one lined up for the 23rd but I wasn't expecting her to move out and not pay for the time until then. o well guess you live and learn.

pleasedelete

You usually have a months rent in advance as a deposit.

whitewing

It would be worth seeing if your new one wanted to move in earlier.

property.advert

You've chucked someone out of their home. I wouldn't expect them to be made up about it.

PudseyDB

We only have half the story here - why did you ask the old lodger to move out? Personally I feel that as she has moved out as requested, she's probably found another place to live and cant afford two rents.

d.ross_2

It is normal to have rent paid in advance, and if you did then there wouldn't be a problem.

I presume you also had a deposit from her?

G_M

Emma.r.cole wrote: »

So in future should I not give the 4 weeks notice?

Personally I think not.
This is your home. Think of the worst case - a complete breakdown in relations. Mistrust. Arguments. Even intimidation.

You want (need) to be able to get a lodger (licencee, paying guest - NOT tenant) out asap.

Compared to that loss of a bit of rent is nothing.

Most lodgers are perfectly reasonable, and many lodgers/landlords become friends. However, without wishing to scare you, read this thread from last year.......