Real life MMD: Should we charge a new housemate more to reduce our rent?

Talent

I think you are pretty scummy to even think it!

[Deleted User]

I don't see a problem with it. Simple supply and demand.

The existing tenants are "grandfathered" at the cheaper rates, but new tenants pay the new rates.

ronangel

billbennett wrote: »

I don't see a problem with it. Simple supply and demand.

The existing tenants are "grandfathered" at the cheaper rates, but new tenants pay the new rates.

As long as the new tenant know about and agrees after being given reason its ok. If not they dont have to take room.no trust problem broken.If ANY sort of bad reaction then donot let to person.

BNT

billbennett wrote: »

I don't see a problem with it. Simple supply and demand.

The existing tenants are "grandfathered" at the cheaper rates, but new tenants pay the new rates.

But they are not grandfathered at the cheaper rates. They are proposing to reduce their rates when the new tenant moves in.

joehoover

If you think it's immoral then you don't need to post the question. Trust your insticts as it is immoral if there is no reason for that room costing an extra £100. It would help if you showed the split in rent currently and about the room. I've lived in places paying £100 extra a month but I had an en-suite and larger room.

I find it odd your flatmates thinking this just to save £25, many of us have no choice but to flatshare, but as I do I want it to be with people I get on with, I want to be friends, go out for a drink and socialise. When I first moved to London 15 years ago without my first houseshare I wonder which path my life would have gone, those first houseshares made it for me, amazing influences, and people I now count amongst my best friends now, some have moved abroad, others married, with kids, but that house share and every subsequent one has shaped my life.

You hear horror stories of flatmates sometimes, and maybe I am lucky in that sense. But you should be looking at a flatmate to have a laugh with, not be looking to try and fleece them.

Former_MSE_Archna

oldtrout wrote: »

Ask yourself ... would you be happy to be treated like that! Do unto others as you would have them do unto you!

These moral dilemmas have become so pathetic they are so obviously not real ... come on MSE .. this is not the Jeremy Kyle show!

Hi oldtrout

Our MMDs are emailed into us from users - we'd tell you if they weren't. Of course there's nothing stopping users from making them up but we try and pick ones that seem genuine and relevant to others! Or ones that get us debating in MSE Towers

pennypinchUK

Oh, sure, great idea. And how long will it be until the new person finds out? Think they'll be happy when they realise you've ganged up on him/her and are diddling them out of cash? Think the atmosphere in the house will be all sweetness and light? Think they'll hang around when they know what kind of people you are?

Pull the other one. This has got to be one of the daftest suggestions going. I'd be worried one of your housemates thought of it, let alone said it out loud. Kill the idea, quick.

AnneMary

... if you have self contained accommodation - that is the downstairs landlord does not use any part of your flat. Even without paperwork you have an Assured Shorthold Tenancy. As such your landlord would need to give you two months notice - google Assured Shorthold Tenancy for more information.

I agree with most of the previous posts in that living in such close quarters with your flatmates there needs to be a fair degree of mutual respect and trust. Charging someone new more and not being upfront will lead to resentment at the very least. As well as better conditions I feel it would be fair to charge more if the rent was particularly low as you had been there a long time without increase - but do explain.

milvusvestal

What is going on here?

A landlord has a legal responsibility to his tenants under the terms of a tenancy agreement, in the same way that a tenant has responsibilities to his landlord. Informal arrangements without a tenancy agreement in place are dangerous - if anything goes wrong, what can you refer to? It's no good relying on verbal promises or agreements.

Determination of the rent is not a matter for the other occupants. It is the landlord who assesses and agrees the rent paid by the tenant(s) and, from the sound of it, the landlord doesn't know about a fourth tenant. If he did, then he would charge the same amount as you three do - assuming accommodation, supplies and facilities are the same.

I reckon you need to get your present tenancies on a proper footing, as should the new tenant.

tv21

Are you a tenant subletting to sub-tenants? I think that would make a difference.

As regards the new tenant "taking revenge". He knows you could all do the same and there's more of you. And you've a track record for being devious.

The new guy needs a landlord's reference to get a mortgage or future rental. It's not you that should be worried.