Lodgers' rights to have guests

zurpher

My partner and I live in an extension of an older couple's house. We live here now for just over three month. We had 2-3 times a larger group of friends over. My partner scheduled a charity dinner for this weekend and we informed our landlords. They responded by expressing how unhappy they are to have strangers in their house and that they want us not to have any parties. A party, in their view, is having more than two friends visiting at the same time.

We think that it goes to far to restrict whom we invite around as long as we stick to reasonable times and are not excessively noisy.

What is your advice? I know that as lodgers we have less rights than tenants and wonder if they can (legally) impose such restrictions on us. Also, if they cannot do that they still have the option to kick us out.

I'm looking forward to hear from you.

hazyjo

Sorry but I'm with them... it's their home, not yours. If you rented it, that would be a very different scenario.

Of course, others will probably agree with you...

What did you agree at the start?

Jx

krlyr

Have to agree that it's their home. I would be asking for permission, not informing them of arrangements you've already made.
From what I can see, lodgers have very little rights, but the couple should have set out rules in writing in regards to guests. However, seems that they can just give you notice to leave with no real reason, and that this notice can be less than 28 days. I would say don't rock the boat unless you're prepared to find somewhere else to live. If you want more rights, find a place to become a subtenant in.

pimento

How many is a larger group?

Where will your landlord go while you're hosting your dinner party?

Badger_Lady

Legally I'm afraid they have every right... is there a set of 'house rules' or detailed 'houseshare agreement' that you signed when you moved in? Even if there's nothing in there, you can't insist on having guests over. And if you do have guests over without their permission, they can ask you to leave.

I let out rooms to lodgers and my 'house rules' say that if a lodger is expecting to have more than 2 guests over, they need to seek permission in advance and make sure that it doesn't impinge on any other residents' needs. To be honest, I've only been asked for that permission extremely rarely - my lodgers simply don't have parties in my house (they don't feel the need). Parties in my house are a joint venture between me and my lodgers.

chewmylegoff

zurpher wrote: »

My partner and I live in an extension of an older couple's house. We live here now for just over three month. We had 2-3 times a larger group of friends over. My partner scheduled a charity dinner for this weekend and we informed our landlords. They responded by expressing how unhappy they are to have strangers in their house and that they want us not to have any parties. A party, in their view, is having more than two friends visiting at the same time.

We think that it goes to far to restrict whom we invite around as long as we stick to reasonable times and are not excessively noisy.

What is your advice? I know that as lodgers we have less rights than tenants and wonder if they can (legally) impose such restrictions on us. Also, if they cannot do that they still have the option to kick us out.

I'm looking forward to hear from you.

as you're the lodger and not a tenant, you have to live by their rules. they don't have to make any concessions to you of this sort, although if the extension is such that there are separate communal facilities then it sounds a bit petty of them (not that that mattes as they can be as petty as they like really).

scheming_gypsy

Part of the problem you may have created for yourself isn't that they don't want you to have guests; but that in 3 months you've had 2 / 3 'larger' groups of friends over and now you're planning a dinner party.
From their point of view it could be becoming far too regular and possibly disturbing them. If it wasn't disturbing them, they might not be too bothered.

G_M

As lodgers in someone else's home you are really just 'guests' yourself. Paying guests, true, but guests non the less.

It is their home and they can be as flexible or inflexible as they wish. You need to go along with their rules/preferences.

I have great sympathy with them. I've had lodgers in the past, and having other people in your home is an imposition. Obviously it is an imposition one accepts in return for the rent. But if those lodgers themselves start inviting other strangers into my home, regularly, in groups, well - I'd be telling them to eiter start behaving more considerately or start packing their bags.

Mrs_Z

Sorry, I'm with the previous posters as well. It's not your home - you've been there for 3 months and you've already had 2-3 guests on more than one occasion. I would not like that in my home - far too regular for my liking. Having a party or such gathering should be an exception, not a regular occurance.

Jesswithwings

I agree with them too. We will probably have a lodger at some time and I wouldn't allow them to invite big groups of people around either, sorry.

jee

I too have to agree with the other posters- you're a guest in their home and they have a right to refuse you having a party and to be honest you've been there only a short time and already had a few which is more than generous.