RENTING - Being the main tenant and sub-tenant behaviour - am I being pedantic?

bikerchris

Hello everyone,

Just looking for some perspective, and whether I'm overthinking things.

I have rented a property for over 2 years now and during most of that time, I've had a fantastic sub-tenant, for example:

• He cleans up after himself in the kitchen
• Doesn't help himself to anything of mine
• He pays on time
• Always willing to help me carrying heavy things, etc.
• Polite
• Quiet at night (no loud music, etc.)
• Quiet in the morning (gets up much earlier than me and consciously avoids making noise)
• Fairly considerate when it comes to saving 'the house' money.
• Tolerated my attempts to save money which lead to a colder house.

Anyway, as you can see he's a good guy to live with, but something has been wriling me for a good few months. He's reducing his workload and this has meant his son has been taken on board, as well as another person. He also has another son that despite living in London, comes down at least once a week (sometimes more) and stays the night, but he also treats the place like 'dads place' and arrives whenever he pleases to do whatever he wants (sleep over, wash his car, use the shower, make food, etc.).

I now endure these 3 people arriving whenever it pleases them, making themselves a cup of tea, using the loo (and making a stink), and generally making me feel like I'm not just living with one person, but 4. I'm putting aside that they are all really friendly people and considerate when they see me, but that don't pay the bills! Also, because it's no longer him doing the job and two people instead, the washing machine is used daily, if not twice daily (he does own it though, which weakens my argument a bit). So I'm thinking of increasing his rent to take the following into account 20% to cover these:

Actual extra costs; electric, water (on a meter), gas
Wear & tear; shower, door locks, loo rolls, etc.
Personally; I wanted to share with 1 person and no more.

What do you all think then? This should also cover the increased electricity costs that the media will not shut up about. Am I being pedantic?

Thanks in advance!

Chris

dimbo61

Sorry Chris what do you mean by SUB tenant?
Are you joint tenants or is it in your name only
Does the Landlord know you are sub letting ?

anselld

Sounds like he is a lodger not a tenant so you can do as you like.
However, I would seriously think about all the positives you have listed and take those into account before you decide to act!

G_M

He's a lodger.

Or Excluded Occupier.

G_M

Your home. Your rules.

You want him to pay more? Increase the rent to cover the extra visitors.

You don't want extra visitors? Make a 'no overnight guests' rule.

Kynthia

This person is only a sub tenant if you rent the whole property from the landlord and then let the whole property to this person. Is this the case or are you a tenant who has taken in a lodger which is very different? Tenants have far more rights than lodgers, although some things depend on the contract you have with your lodger. Or are you both tenants living in the property together, either on a joint contract or individual room tenancies?

If we assume he's your lodger then do you have a contract? What does it say about fixed terms or rent increases?

bikerchris

Thanks for all your responses, very much appreciated.

Dimbo61: It's only my name on the agreement, and I rent off a vague friend, so it's quite informal (I didn't pay a deposit for example).

The landlord provided two prices, one for solo and one for 2 people (a £50 difference pm).

anselld: I must admit, he is technically a tenant, but I agreed with him from the outset that I'm not intending to profit from him, just split the bills down the middle. You're absolutely right though, I do consider the benefits of him as well as the additional guests!

G_M: Thanks for confirming. I think what makes it difficult is that he is incredibly nice. A few times things have broken in the house, at times when I didn't have much money, and he voluntarily offered to pay 50%. When I moved in, he helped me a great deal as I was on crutches (after a near fatal RTA), so I've seen what he's like when I'm in need. From a legal standpoint you're absolutely right, but he's far from the average tenant/lodger and it's just the inconsiderate nature of his employee's/son's that gets my goat. I have made it clear to his son's that they take the p**s from time to time, and they're OK for a short while and then it all starts again.

Kynthia: I probably didn't help matters by having a formal contract between me and him. I did have a contract with his son who previously stayed with me, I think I didn't do this the second time round because I was mainly in distracting pain.

It seems a fine line between lodger and tenant (perhaps I'm being stupid though), but here's a breakdown of the situation;

I pay every single bill (gas, electric, council tax, rent, etc.) as well as consumables (exc. clothes washing things and personal higene things)

He pays a fixed amount per month, in theory to cover half the costs (this does work generally).

The floor space is split 50/50, but of course the kitchen/bathroom is shared.

Thanks again for all of your replies, I really do value them!

monty-doggy

Rather than make a huge deal out of it perhaps point out that recently utilities have gone up and you've noticed the water bill increase and its time for a rent review? After 2 years you would expect a slight increase.

bikerchris

That is a very fair point monty-doggy, I have to say I hadn't considered it like that, or those factors. Really appreciate you mentioning that!

anselld

bikerchris wrote: »

I must admit, he is technically a tenant,

... how is that possible if ...

bikerchris wrote: »

It's only my name on the agreement,

?

bikerchris

So he's a lodger then, eh anselld?