Advice needed please

Cryptix

I bought my first house a couple of years ago and earlier last year a good friend of mine started lodging my spare room at a very reasonable fee per month.

This is where I fear I've made a grave mistake but I didn't write up a contract or agreement, as we both mutually agreed that it was going to be temporary - he could leave at anytime, or I could ask him to leave at anytime if things weren't working out.

He has mild autism and dyspraxia - which has led to many glasses, plates etc being damaged or broken. I've never asked him to pay for these damages, nor has he offered to pay for or replace any items he's broken or damaged. But just the other day he managed to completely bend his house key in the front door before he went on holiday, which has badly damaged the lock. I'm having real trouble removing the key each time now and I'm worried about the teeth breaking while the key's inside the lock, so it needs replacing.

Now, I'd like him to pay for replacement lock. I haven't asked him yet as I'd like to get some of your advice as to whether I should - considering there was no contract or agreement made. What do you think? And if I were to ask him, how would you go about it? Considering the autism, if I did ask him I'm also worried he'll not see the situation in the same way and refuse to pay for the lock.

Any advice is much appreciated!

McKneff

Lodgers have little or no rights so I wouldnt worry about it too much.

I think that you could actually just replace the barrel part of the lock without changing the whole thing. See how much it is first then decide.

I wouldnt hesitate to ask him to pay for the replacement if it seems a lot
And if he was such a good friend, he should be automatically offering to pay for breakages etc.
That should have been sorted the first time he did it, you have given him the impression that it's okay so he doesnt bother to offier.

And you could, at any time ask him to leave if he refuses. He has very little rights
as a lodger as I said before.

Fire_Fox

Glasses and plates are cheap, let it slide. Bending the key in the lock ... if you are confident it is entirely his fault then ask him to pay for the repair (easy and cheap). If the lock is older or there may have been a problem with it or the quality of the key you supplied you might go halves. Any lodger might not see the situation the same as you do, many people with learning disabilities can participate in discussions and make reasoned arguments.

Werdnal

You need to ask yourself whether you would be prepared to take any action to force him to pay or force him to leave, if he refused.

If you are reluctant to ask, because you fear you will offend him, then that is something only you can decide on - he is your friend, he shares your house, and if you feel it will lead to deterioration of the relationship so you will no longer be able to live together, for the sake of a lock, then perhaps best left unsaid.

If you feel you would follow this through and give him notice, if he refused to contribute/pay for it, then go ahead and ask, and you will have to live with the consequences if it causes a rift between you.

Remember too that you have contributed to the wear and tear on the lock everytime you have entered and left the house, so even if you suspect your lodger has perhaps been a little "ham-fisted" by damaging it, it may have already been weakened anyway. It is usually the key that is the weakest link (read the other key break threads here recently), so if the lock has been damaged so easily, chances are it was cheap and not fit for purpose, or worn out anyway!

Do you know what type of lock it is? Have a look on You Tube as there are plenty of vids on how to change the barrel, and they are often only a few quid to buy and DIY.

Cryptix

Thanks everyone! All great feedback and good to find out some different perspectives.

I think I'll give him the benefit of the doubt and I'll ask him to go 50/50 with me on a new one. The lock was changed to a Yale lock when I first moved in 2 years ago and I've never had any problem with the keys, but I guess as you said, there's always going to be wear and tear.

Also, it is just the barrel that needs replacing, so I'll definitely check out YouTube for some help with fitting - thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks again everyone.