Problems with Lodger now more serious

Mistermeaner

Just in defence of lodger here for a bit of balance; he's done a couple of Wierd things (possibly) but nothing malicious or violent, you've given him notice (as is your right) but while he's away at xmas so can do nothing about it.

You have not previously discussed the Wierd stuff with him, and he had the courteous y to tell you about his potential plans to move when he didn't have to.

Now here you are talking about kicking him out, changing locks and calling the police when all he has done is reply to your one email in an annoyed but also reasonable fashion (what is wrong with him checking on his rights)

To be honest I think you should have a look at your behaviour as well as you are potentially driving this to a conflict where there need not be one

[Deleted User]

I know I am going to sound mean..., but if he hasn't paid rent (being out of the country is not a reason for delayed payment, plenty of ways he could have covered it)., I'd send him another email saying if he doesn't pay the rent owed by x date, you will consider that he doesn't wish to come back and will change the locks, he can collect his goods by appointment. I would suggest that non payment of rent invalidates any contract.

Then no problem with a confrontation inside your property and you won't have someone in your property who hasn't paid rent. You'll be short a few days on rent until you can get another lodger but it will stop the situation getting iffy.

moneyistooshorttomention

The thing is that he may have started with slightly weird conduct, but you do wonder if he might progress to even weirder conduct.

I had a lodger one time who went in for weird conduct of the eat in front of me with mouth wide open and chomping visibly and slurping drinks (ie rather than eating and drinking in a normal fashion) and I ignored that. He then went on to go to the loo one time leaving the bathroom door wide open (I could hear him clearly_pale_) and he didn't have the excuse of not knowing I was in (because he'd only just seen me in the house).

He then progressed onto talking to himself (ditto when he'd only just seen me) and in fact he wasn't just talking, as it was at shouting volume.

When he handed in his notice, I very promptly accepted and wouldn't let him retract it when he changed his mind shortly afterwards. I was just so worried what further weird behaviour he was going to go in for, as it was ratcheting up the scale bit by bit.

When he left I found that I had to throw away a pretty new bed, as he had wet the bed (obviously more than once - as it was on both sides of the mattress). Yuk! By that time, it was too late to take enough money out of his deposit to cover the cost of the bed, as the thought hadn't crossed my mind anyone would be so gross as to do that.:o

So, if OP's intuition is saying "weirdo" about him, chances are he would steadily prove her more and more right about that.

TheFox30

if he hasn't paid rent (being out of the country is not a reason for delayed payment, plenty of ways he could have covered it)., I'd send him another email saying if he doesn't pay the rent owed by x date, you will consider that he doesn't wish to come back and will change the locks, he can collect his goods by appointment. I would suggest that non payment of rent invalidates any contract.

Then no problem with a confrontation inside your property and you won't have someone in your property who hasn't paid rent

I still haven't responded to his email and it's this issue of unpaid rent which I'm debating over and over before doing so. On the one hand, insisting on rent being paid before he returns will ensure 100% that there's no possibility of it not being paid and also ensure there's no chance of any him being in my house but refusing to pay, giving me the problem of getting him out. (He has always paid previously, but then I've never had any big problems with him previously)

On the other hand, I'm aware that making this clear in my email to him has the potential to ignite things further when what I was previously aiming for was to cool the situation down.

Opinions?

kinger101

TheFox30 wrote: »

if he hasn't paid rent (being out of the country is not a reason for delayed payment, plenty of ways he could have covered it)., I'd send him another email saying if he doesn't pay the rent owed by x date, you will consider that he doesn't wish to come back and will change the locks, he can collect his goods by appointment. I would suggest that non payment of rent invalidates any contract.

Then no problem with a confrontation inside your property and you won't have someone in your property who hasn't paid rent

I still haven't responded to his email and it's this issue of unpaid rent which I'm debating over and over before doing so. On the one hand, insisting on rent being paid before he returns will ensure 100% that there's no possibility of it not being paid and also ensure there's no chance of any him being in my house but refusing to pay, giving me the problem of getting him out. (He has always paid previously, but then I've never had any big problems with him previously)

On the other hand, I'm aware that making this clear in my email to him has the potential to ignite things further when what I was previously aiming for was to cool the situation down.

Opinions?

Just wait until he gets back to mention the rent. Unless you need it urgently. Does the agreement say anything about arrears?

Mistermeaner

Stop being overly dramatic ("problems more serious") and either talk directly to him or email making your position clear:

- the one months notice stands

- ask him about his intention to pay rent

- If doesn't pay immediately on return from hols you reserve right to require him to leave immediately

Communication is the key here and I fear your approach is going to escalate this into conflict.

TheFox30

Reply sent, obviously with names changed. Made the decision to mention the rent, but not to push for it in advance. Thanks for everyone's advice, will post again if I need any other advice on this as it goes along.


Steve,


Thankyou for your reply.


Firstly, just to clarify, I wasn't intending to directly accuse you regarding the damage to my kitchen, rather to ask if you knew anything about it. Since the damage wasn't caused by you as you've said, then I'll assume that it must have been caused by Fred before he left, and I'll say nothing further about it.


The damage to my kitchen doesn't affect your month's notice in any way, and so the month's notice that I've given you still stands (as per Section 8 of your contract). I take your reply to my email as receipt of the notice.


As a final point, your monthly rent was due on December 27th. If you'd prefer to pay this in cash in person, please can you ensure that this is done by Sunday 4th January. Alternatively, if you'd prefer to pay it by bank transfer, just let me know and I'll send you my bank details.


Thankyou,


John

EverGreen_2

The Loger has been abroad. means he is foreign.....the weak link.
The key word..as above.
That is if your are not the CLONE of my elderly landlord in Canada.
The truth hurts.

NeverEnough

EverGreen wrote: »

The Loger has been abroad. means he is foreign.....the weak link.
The key word..as above.
That is if your are not the CLONE of my elderly landlord in Canada.
The truth hurts.

???? So if people have been abroad that "means they are foreign" ???? What an odd and random, and not necessarily accurate, conclusion. But it is irrelevant, anyway, whether or not the lodger is foreign. Weird posts.

EverGreen_2

NeverEnough wrote: »

???? So if people have been abroad that "means they are foreign" ???? What an odd and random, and not necessarily accurate, conclusion. But it is irrelevant, anyway, whether or not the lodger is foreign. Weird posts.

Haven't I said: "THE TRUTH HURTS"?