landlord selling

tryfan

Hi all
just letting off some steam and asking what if anything I can do about my landlord. I have been lodging in the same place for approx 2 years now, always pay, often early as he (landlord) asks and always in cash. He is selling the house and has the occasional viewing which I never get told about, like today I came back from work, my door open, windows open, presume he has had a viewing and took people around my two rooms (bedroom and sitting room). I'm not keen on getting no notice or having strangers being in my space - I have stuff which is valuable etc and I value my privacy.

I know the obvious answer is to move out, and I am buying my own place but it seems daft to move for a month or two so I'm trying to bite my tongue for now.

I know he only pays a single person's council tax (he leaves that sort of paperwork laying around the kitchen) and has some money problems, I have contacted the local council about voting rights but the post never arrives (I suspect some post gets lost between the front door and what I actually receive) problem is I work he is retired so at home when the post arrives.

I guess I just want some hints as what if anything I can do to stop this invasion of privacy without falling out as I want to be here until my house goes through.

I want to do stuff like leave mouse traps in abvious places in my room so anyone he takes round without my knowledge will see them, is this sort of thing fair lol


And breathe lol

Thanks for listening/reading

Old_Git

you appear to be a lodger and not a tenant ,if thats the case you have no rights .

tryfan

Hi old git
a lodger yes, no rights debatable, but still it seems a bit off.

anyway Ive had my rant, perhaps the moral highground but still biting my tongue and counting to 10!

Old_Git

I understand your position but you can be given short notice to get out .

AdrianC

Old Git is right. As a lodger, rather than a tenant, you have very few legal rights.

Basically, your choices are to live with it or move. Since you're going to have to move anyway if he sells...

G_M

tryfan wrote: »

I know he only pays a single person's council tax

I guess I just want some hints as what if anything I can do to stop this invasion of privacy without falling out as I want to be here until my house goes through.

I want to do stuff like leave mouse traps in abvious places in my room so anyone he takes round without my knowledge will see them,

Seems like you're not sure what you want out of this situation.

You could report him for Council tax fraud. And as a good citizen, you should. (after all, because he (and others) cheat, I have to pay more each year).

But that is hardly compatible with not wanting to fall out!

As for your privacy, well, again, if you want to avoid falling out all you can do is talk. Explain. Request. And hope he understands and is sympathetic.

If that fails, your options are

* move out
* grit your teeth for a month or two or
* fall out by taking unilateral action

franklee

As it's only for a short while and you want to stay to avoid moving twice what about getting a lockable suitcase, trunk or box that you put all your valuable and private stuff in while you are out. Inconvenient but easier than moving twice or getting into a row.

I wouldn't put mouse traps down as it's too obvious. Can you get something smelly perhaps take a liking to curry?

Do any mates have some extra furniture they're planning to "donate" ready for your new house ... if so that old armchair could block access to your bed and make the room look smaller.

cloo

I think you just need to remind yourself it will pass... once he's got a buyer there won't be any more viewings, so it's best just to grin and bear it until this phase is over; no point making an argument.

Yorkie1

As a lodger you have few rights and so I wouldn't do anything which might make him ask you to leave at short notice. It would make your own house buying process far more stressful if you have to do changes of address etc.

I echo the other suggestion about putting your valuables somewhere safe and gritting your teeth.