Missing lodger

Guest101

cyantist wrote: »

I was going to give him a little longer, until the deposit money has been used in covering the rent (I do know that this is risky as if there is any damage or anything there's no deposit money left to cover that).

As I only just managed to get in contact with someone who will be able to speak to him, it's only fair I give him him a little longer to get in touch as he genuinely might not have realised we'd be so worried.

I will change the locks after all this, but obviously won't keep his belongings. Though if I keep his blender and toastie maker it might make up somewhat for the fact he still has my iPad (first generation so not worth very much)!

Thanks for all your advice

Give him notice. Don't just change the locks. There's a contract here and if you breach it and he has losses (such as hotels) he could sue you for those costs.


As for keeping his belongings etc. Negotiate. Say to him if you want to keep the ipad i'll swap for X & Y. You cannot just keep it, regardless if he has your things or not. (if you want it back, tell him so. Then court)

Guest101

cyantist wrote: »

God no. When he was around he was actually a lovely guy, if a bit unreliable, and there is no reason to think he'd use violence.

I didn't think so.


Some posters jumping to conclusions.

cyantist

Guest101 wrote: »

Give him notice. Don't just change the locks. There's a contract here and if you breach it and he has losses (such as hotels) he could sue you for those costs.


As for keeping his belongings etc. Negotiate. Say to him if you want to keep the ipad i'll swap for X & Y. You cannot just keep it, regardless if he has your things or not. (if you want it back, tell him so. Then court)

Thanks, I'd only change the locks after this is all sorted and he has his stuff back (and hopefully I have my stuff back as well).

I'm not concerned that he would take stuff from the house. He isn't a bad person (as far as I can tell) he is just (as someone said earlier) terribly flaky.

LilElvis

Guest101 wrote: »

Just to clarify (it's a long thread and I might've missed it) have there been any threats? Any reason to suggest the lodger might use violence?


(good revenge!)

No mention of violence, but according to OP (post #23) he has served time in prison and has had "run ins with the police". Given that information I would err on the side of caution when considering the safety of my family and property.

FBaby

I'm not concerned that he would take stuff from the house. He isn't a bad person (as far as I can tell) he is just (as someone said earlier) terribly flaky.

Sorry OP but forgetting to pay your rent is not being flaky, not even terribly so. It's being irresponsible, even if you are ill. He is -supposedly- with someone who could handle his business while he is -supposedly- unwell. A tooth abscess that means you can't even send a quick text to explain? I don't think so! A tooth abscess that explains why his phone has been turned off all that time.... I think so even less....

Guest101

LilElvis wrote: »

No mention of violence, but according to OP (post #23) he has served time in prison and has had "run ins with the police". Given that information I would err on the side of caution when considering the safety of my family and property.

But he could be in prison for any number of reasons - a lot of which are completely non-violent.


Anyone who's been pulled over has had a 'run-in' with the police.


Young ethnic men have 'run-ins' with the police on a weekly, or even daily, basis in some areas - purely because they fit a stereotype.


You might be right, but I prefer not to assume everyone is a threat to myself or my family - it's not a good way to live life.

LilElvis

Guest101 wrote: »

But he could be in prison for any number of reasons - a lot of which are completely non-violent.


Anyone who's been pulled over has had a 'run-in' with the police.


Young ethnic men have 'run-ins' with the police on a weekly, or even daily, basis in some areas - purely because they fit a stereotype.


You might be right, but I prefer not to assume everyone is a threat to myself or my family - it's not a good way to live life.

It is likely that the offences for which he was imprisoned were non violent, but also possible that they were.

As the judiciary these days seem to use imprisonment as a last resort it is a fairly safe bet that some of his "run ins" with the police were for something more serious than a minor driving infraction, or a stop and search.

If you would rather give someone the benefit of the doubt that's fine, it's your choice. Personally I would rather be cautious than come home to find my possessions missing and my insurance likely invalid. Had I known about my lodger's criminal past I would never have let him into my home in the first place. Before you say that people can change, I agree - but some won't. My former lodger has gone on to reoffend, and be imprisoned again, at least twice that I know of since he was released after the sentence he received for what he did to me.

krlyr

Aren't the rights with lodgers vs. tenants pretty different, though? Not saying OP is entitled to keep his stuff, but don't think there's a minimum notice period - especially if the lodger hasn't paid rent. As long as OP has gven "reasonable" notice (this depends on the agreement, e.g. periodical or fixed term, and also how the lodger has behaved - disappearing without paying rent would probably warrant notice), they can change the locks to keep the ex-lodger from trespassing.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/subletting-and-lodging/lodging/what-rights-do-lodgers-have/

downshifted

krlyr wrote: »

Aren't the rights with lodgers vs. tenants pretty different, though? Not saying OP is entitled to keep his stuff, but don't think there's a minimum notice period - especially if the lodger hasn't paid rent. As long as OP has gven "reasonable" notice (this depends on the agreement, e.g. periodical or fixed term, and also how the lodger has behaved - disappearing without paying rent would probably warrant notice), they can change the locks to keep the ex-lodger from trespassing.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/subletting-and-lodging/lodging/what-rights-do-lodgers-have/

This. He is a lodger not a tenant. Be reasonable... but you can change the lock and in these circumstances I would.

thorsoak

From the posts, the OP was aware of his "problems" with authority. S/he was happy to share the family house with him. The only problem occurred when he went missing - and the OP asked for opinions as to what the next step should be.