Shared accommodation above a pub - landlord using one room as an office?

schnide

Pete9501 wrote: »

Since nothing has happened yet, why don't you wait and see rather than panic thinking that some noisy business is going to upset you.

He might be using it for an office to run his letting business along with the pub. How noisy is a computer and a phone?

I didn't mention noise at any point which, with all due respect, leads me to suspect that I don't think you understood what I was asking.

schnide

agrinnall wrote: »

If one of the other tenants decided to run a business from the room that they are paying for would you be complaining about that? I think you should keep quiet until there is actually something to be concerned about, if you start moaning now then I predict the rapid arrival of a S21.

Well, I'm not complaining. I'm asking about the legality of the situation, and with all due respect, not for people's opinions on whether I should like it or not. I can get opinions from anyone!

I'm not concerned about the running of a business. I'm concerned about the running of a business in what I consider by home by a person who has the power to throw me out of it.

There's a big difference between a relationship where I pay £X each month to live somewhere, and a relationship where I pay £X each month to live somewhere and that person is around every day, defacto inspecting my use of it. Again, to be clear, I am a considerate and responsible tenant and the landlord is aware of that.

I really, really don't think that's much of a stretch to imagine. How would you feel if your boss moved in next door? Maybe you'd be fine with it. Lots of people wouldn't, and understandably so, even if they had no legal (etc.) grounds to "complain."

Kynthia

Legally you rent a room and the landlord has access to all communal areas and unrented rooms. If the landlord wants to use an empty room as an office then I can't see why they wouldn't be able too. You may have more of a complaint if they tried to use some of the communal area, but even then I'm not sure what you could do about it other than leave.


I think people are telling you to calm down, wait and see, that any of the other tenants could do more annoying things or are trying to show that it might not be that bad because there's nothing you can do about it. Renting a whole property jointly with others gives you more control, however that comes with its own issues over everyone staying or leaving for the same amount time, having to cover all the rent if others don't pay their share, etc.

agrinnall

schnide wrote: »

Well, I'm not complaining. I'm asking about the legality of the situation, and with all due respect, not for people's opinions on whether I should like it or not. I can get opinions from anyone!

Well consult a solicitor and pay for a legal response then. All you will ever get on here is opinions.

schnide

agrinnall wrote: »

Well consult a solicitor and pay for a legal response then. All you will ever get on here is opinions.

Fortunately, that isn't true and you do a disservice to the varied and well informed knowledge of your fellow posters. These forums have in the past literally saved me thousands of pounds with their legal knowledge.

AnnieO1234

You've said it yourself OP, you rent a room. That's as far as you can go with this, if the landlord chose to let to someone with a penchant for tap dancing at 3 in the morning, he could. X

schnide

AnnieO1234 wrote: »

You've said it yourself OP, you rent a room. That's as far as you can go with this, if the landlord chose to let to someone with a penchant for tap dancing at 3 in the morning, he could. X

At this point perhaps I should clarify the kind of thing I'm looking for. I haven't at any point stomped and screamed and said this is unacceptable. I'm asking for anyone with knowledge of the legal position of the arrangement to share it.

For instance, if the landlord wanted to enter my room under typical circumstances (ie. they would not usually be on the premises) then they would have to give 24 hours notice.

If he is instead in the premises constantly because he had an office there, does he violate that rule if I have my door open and he looks in or tries to walk inside?

This is not, again to make clear, the end of the world or something I am terrified about; I am merely giving an example of the kind of legal situation that these change in circumstances might create.

duchy

You have rented a room - the pub landlord can use the common areas (and any empty rooms) now - and that won't change if he chooses to use one of the rooms as an office.

If you don't believe using the room as an office will be a noise issue - what "quiet enjoyment" will you be losing ?

pmlindyloo

This is an unusual situation and because of this it is unlikely that anyone will have experience of such.

I would give Shelter a call and ask their advice. At least that way, if it happens. you will be armed with the advice from the professionals.

PasturesNew

I'd prefer it if he were to use it as an office. The reality is it's probably a vanity project- feeling he's important enough to have his own office - and it'll be more about being able to sit down for him, rather than having to stand at the phone on the wall flicking through invoices when speaking to the occasional supplier.... I'd prefer that the room was mostly empty/unoccupied by somebody I already knew, than tenanted by a new person with strange habits and poor music taste.

I bet once the initial excitement's worn off for him he won't be in there more than 10 minutes/day.