Confusion over notice period for lodger (me)

pmlindyloo

Just seen your reply about no deposit.

So, if no friendly agreement reached just leave after the month and let them chase you for the money (unlikely they will)

And do make sure you get everything in writing next time!!!!!!

Pixie5740

As an excluded occupier (lodger) you just need to give reasonable notice in lieu of any written agreement. It's up to you whether you accept paying until 31st July or not.

thesaint

What date did you move in?

My take is that your tenancy periods do not change, so your payment date is a red herring.

GoodnessGraciousMe

I moved in on the 15th, paid rent in advance for the 15th to the 30th, then paid a full month's rent on the 1st of the next month.

G_M

OK - so when you say 'month' you actually mean 'rental period'. (Or arguably 'Agreement Period'.

The landlord is saying you must give a full 'rental period' notice ie from 1st of month to month end, whereas you are claiming a calander month is needed.

(the 'Agreement Period' might be 15th - 14th notwithstanding the change of rent payment date).

Since

we have an informal agreement whereby we agreed on the initial rent to be paid per calendar month and the notice period of one month, via email.

it clearly depends on the precise wording of the email. What does it say?

If it just says 'one month' as opposed to one rental or agreement period (or even, incorrectly, one tenancy period), then it means 1 calender month.

GoodnessGraciousMe

Regarding the notice period, the exact wording says I need to give one month's notice to leave. That's it.

G_M

GoodnessGraciousMe wrote: »

Regarding the notice period, the exact wording says I need to give one month's notice to leave. That's it.

I really doubt it says " I need to give one month's notice to leave."

On legal questions, exact quotes are needed.

However my guess is that means a calender month.

GoodnessGraciousMe

It's not a contract. There is no signed written agreement. I am a lodger.

It was all done very informally.

All there is is an email where I ask how much notice I need to give to leave and she says "you need to give only one months notice to leave". That's it!

DRP

GoodnessGraciousMe wrote: »

Sorry. I thought I did include the quote. Looks like it won't allow me to quote. Lol

I didn't pay a deposit. Like I said very informal arrangement. They are two sisters who are friends of friends.

All I was asked was to give one months notice to leave; this was agreed via email. Nothing else was said.

Just give them your month and move out.

No deposit means very little likelihood of repercussions.

booksurr

GoodnessGraciousMe wrote: »

It's not a contract. There is no signed written agreement. I am a lodger.

It was all done very informally.

All there is is an email where I ask how much notice I need to give to leave and she says "you need to give only one months notice to leave". That's it!

you need to understand that you DO have a contract when it comes to renting and a place to stay

the contract can be:
- verbal; or
- documented; or
- a mutually signed bit of paper

clearly they offered you terms of occupation (rent price and notice period) by e mail
you accepted those terms either by replying to their e mail or by what is called "force of your actions" ie you moved in and behaved according to those conditions (you paid rent!)

so you do have a documented contract and that would form the basis of your defence if you are taken to court for failure to give correct notice. The court will decide what is meant by "you need to give only one months notice to leave". FWIW I think GM has a reasonable interpretation of that - its a calendar month

just remember that a calendar month runs (for example) from the 4th to the 3rd, not 4th - 4th as you incorrectly state in #4