Renting a room. Problems with lodgers

roygoodbeat

I ran into financial problems when my partner moved out. I have since rented a room out. We only had a verbal agreement.

It was agreed that a rent of £75 for a single person, £100 for two people and they have access to the rest of the house. This includes the bills.

On the day he moved in, we had agreed a months rent in advance. He only paid two weeks, then said he would only pay a week in advance. When his partner moved in, the rent increased to £100.

Since them I have had the following issues:

1) Rent is not being paid on time.
2) She went away on holiday for a week and they demanded that we reduce the rent for that week. Then they complained about the single rate and we agreed to reduce this down to £65.
3) I stated that during June, July, August and September I would drop the rent to £90 for a couple.
4) They now want the rent to be reduced down early as they say they are not using the heating. In addition they complained that the washing machine destroyed some of her underwear (Are delicates) There has never been a problem with the washing machine and still cleans perfectly well for all clothes.
5) The heating electricity bill came in. Was about £75 per month. During the three months they were here, this went up to £180 per month.
6) There are some minor maintainance needs to be done but as I have only just returned back to work after not working for 6 months, I have run out of money to do these.
7) As they have paid late, I have incurred bank charges.

What notice can I give them and am I being unreasonable.

Angelicdevil

I believe, with them only being lodgers, you only have to give them "reasonable" notice - 24hrs?!

I'm sure one of the experts will be along soon, they have tonnes of good advice

And no, I don't think you're being unreasonable. I think they're taking the micky.

R_P_W

Sounds like they are taking you for a ride! Get rid as soon as possible

martinsurrey

As lodgers they have very few legal rights

As mentioned above, “reasonable notice” is all that is required after which you can change the locks and get on with your life. Anything left in the house of theirs after this time is still theirs and you have to allow them to get them back, and you have a duty of care to look after it, you can return it across the threshold of the house at a time agreed by you (they have NO right to re-enter).

I suggest that as he is paying rent a week in advance you give them one weeks notice.
Book a locksmith to change the locks if your not confidant of doing it yourself (its not expensive since you have the keys).

DONT let them bully you around, its your house.

Point them in the direction of this site if they kick up a fuss.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/renting_and_leasehold/sharing_and_subletting/lodgers

paying attention to this page

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/renting_and_leasehold/private_tenancies/excluded_occupiers

Mojisola

martinsurrey wrote: »

I suggest that as he is paying rent a week in advance you give them one weeks notice.

Book a locksmith to change the locks if your not confidant of doing it yourself (its not expensive since you have the keys).[/URL]

I would give them 24 hours and give them a cheque for any rent they've paid in advance.

I also wouldn't leave them alone in the house for those 24 hours - they don't sound very nice people and who knows what they might do, given the opportunity?

If you feel brave enough to try again with a lodger - put the agreement in writing and ask them to leave the first time they start messing you around.

worried_jim

Agree with all of the above- Get rid asap you are being taken for a mug.

I have rented out my spare room now for 9 years and have a wealth of experience-

-I only go for local people- those that are new to the area will spend all their time trying to find somewhere better.
-Same sex as you.
-No couples.
-Don't go for anyone with loads of emotional baggage-no recent divorcees etc.
-No one with kids.
-Steady employed people- no jobbing builders/carpenters etc.
-you want long term, I have people for up to three years.

I know this is harsh but I have learnt well over the last nine years. Good luck.

kBHX

24 hours to leave is more than reasonable under the circumstances. As they are lodgers, not tenants they have little or no rights as such. Don't leave them alone in the house once you've given them notice. Changing locks etc is a very good idea. I've previously had lodgers, they weren't as bad as yours but people do take advantage even with a written agreement in place. Needless to say I don't rent out my spare room anymore.

LisaLou1982

Wow thats very unlucky for you OP

Since they are lodgers then you can ask them to leave at any time. Give them til the end of the week and tell them to get out if you feel that 24 hours is too harsh.

Personally the first time they didnt pay the rent on time id have told them to leave...

Ive had Monday to Friday Lodgers and have so far never had a problem. It seems to me that the people you have in at the min have realised that they can take you for a ride and you will go along with it.

Tell them when they get home tonight that they need to leave. You dont need to give an explanation so when they ask for one either tell them that its because thats what you want, or that they havent paid the money they owe and therefore they are being evicted. Where they go is not your problem.

Ask a friend to come round to support you if you like

katejo

worried_jim wrote: »

Agree with all of the above- Get rid asap you are being taken for a mug.

I have rented out my spare room now for 9 years and have a wealth of experience-

-I only go for local people- those that are new to the area will spend all their time trying to find somewhere better.
-Same sex as you.
-No couples.
-Don't go for anyone with loads of emotional baggage-no recent divorcees etc.
-No one with kids.
-Steady employed people- no jobbing builders/carpenters etc.
-you want long term, I have people for up to three years.

I know this is harsh but I have learnt well over the last nine years. Good luck.

I agree with most of this but with one exception. I initially went for same sex but, as it happens, my current lodger is a man and has been my most successful by far. Not sure why but that is how it is. He has been with me for 2.5 years now. The previous female ones didn't stay longer than 3-4 months.
I agree with steady employed people and no couples. I suspect that I would feel like I was playing gooseberry in my own house and the room isn't big enough for a couple.
Also must be working simply because the rent a room allowance doesn't cover the cost of heating the property all day. My rent assumes that the heating will be on evenings/weekends. I suspect that your current lodgers have no idea just how much it costs to heat a flat/house now.

Nada666

You should never have inclusive bills for lodgers especially in a small household - they should be charged rent plus equal share of bills with a regular instalment paid with the rent.

maninthestreet

The problem is, this couple out-number you 2 to 1 in your own house. Having two single lodgers who are not emotionally involved with each other would be a better proposition.