Lodger harassed by live-in landlady

elephantrosie

Many have disagreed with you here. but i have checked with Shelter and everything you said is right lol. you well knowledgable ex-landlord!

moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »

I've had lodgers before (many years back) and have never been aware of any law stating I had the legal right to go through lodgers private belongings. I very much doubt there is a law allowing that.

I'd be surprised if landladies are allowed to remove any furniture that was there in situ when a lodger agreed to take the room (otherwise they could just gradually "chip away" at it and remove the lot - even the bed). I would imagine there is no law specifically mentioning landladys possessions in the room - but, if there is such a law, then I imagine it would state words to effect of "Room must remain as seen on agreement of tenancy".

Certainly - I took it that I must leave even my own possessions be in that room. The only time I changed the situation was when I decided to put a tv in the room as well - which the lodger was duly glad of.

Quite obviously - no-one has the right in any circumstances to go through someone else's private belongings. We all know that fact. The only exception to that rule is a wife going through her husbands private belongings (eg borrowing some money from him - with his consent) or vice-versa. Some wives extend that to literally throwing away their husbands possessions (which shocks me personally - and I wouldnt have dreamt of doing that - but it is regarded as normal behaviour by many). But interactions between husband and wife (or equivalent) is the only exception to the societal acceptance that one does not go through someone else's private belongings.

ScorpiondeRooftrouser

elephantrosie wrote: »

Many have disagreed with you here. but i have checked with Shelter and everything you said is right lol. you well knowledgable ex-landlord!

Well, it's right as in there are no laws allowing people to do those thigns.

Did they tell you that people are legally not allowed to do any of things? Because if they did, they are talking rubbish.

paddy's_mum

Don't be too quick to assume that your landlord has wilfully "gone through" your private possessions.

I have had lodgers in the past and in order to reinforce that no tenancy could be created, I cleaned the room on a weekly basis at the same time as I changed the bedlinen and towels and opened up the room for a good airing - something that so few single people seem to think of apparently preferring the eau de testosterone or parfum socks pongee!

On one occasion, flicking the bedspread on, it caught a bundle of stuff on the corner of the dressing table. Papers, credit cards, wage slips etc all descended to the floor in a blizzard. I shoved the whole lot higgledy-piggledy into a carrier bag and told the lodger what had happened but had I simply shuffled them together and put them back, my actions could have been misinterpreted.

Similarly, when dusting the room or having a general tidy round, it's very easy to 'disturb' things when there is no snooping or malice going on at all.

However, if the relationship has degenerated this badly, then you are well advised to find alternative accommodation as soon as possible. Good luck.

Person_one

paddy's_mum wrote: »

opened up the room for a good airing - something that so few single people seem to think of apparently preferring the eau de testosterone or parfum socks pongee!

Sorry but :rotfl:

Who knew a marriage certificate came with a guide to good hygiene and housekeeping too? I've been living on my own for 6 years, can't believe its never occurred to me to open the windows, oops!

dekaspace

paddy's_mum wrote: »

Don't be too quick to assume that your landlord has wilfully "gone through" your private possessions.

I have had lodgers in the past and in order to reinforce that no tenancy could be created, I cleaned the room on a weekly basis at the same time as I changed the bedlinen and towels and opened up the room for a good airing - something that so few single people seem to think of apparently preferring the eau de testosterone or parfum socks pongee!

On one occasion, flicking the bedspread on, it caught a bundle of stuff on the corner of the dressing table. Papers, credit cards, wage slips etc all descended to the floor in a blizzard. I shoved the whole lot higgledy-piggledy into a carrier bag and told the lodger what had happened but had I simply shuffled them together and put them back, my actions could have been misinterpreted.

Similarly, when dusting the room or having a general tidy round, it's very easy to 'disturb' things when there is no snooping or malice going on at all.

However, if the relationship has degenerated this badly, then you are well advised to find alternative accommodation as soon as possible. Good luck.

I used to open window a lot when younger, not anymore especially at this time of year as heating is expensive so I only now do it in summertime.

Though I had landlords who claimed they either never entered room or were just cleaning when in fact they were snooping as things like small change had vanished, contents of drawers had been moved around etc, even one who claimed he never entered room then on a few occasions moaned about my drawers being untidy.

moneyistooshorttomention

Some people are just snoopers by nature.

I've seen it in a variety of contexts. I saw a supervisor in a work context snooping through someone's desk right in front of me and they totally ignored my shocked face at them doing that. I don't think some people can help themselves - they are just nosy little b&ggers with no respect for either laws or peoples privacy.

All I could do in that instance I witnessed was to deliberately put the most shocked expression I could on my face and gasp in astonishment - and tell the person whose desk it was what the supervisor had been up to behind their back (so they knew what a nosy little b*tch the supervisor was). They didnt even attempt to justify their actions to me - and it was clear they just loved snooping for the sake of it. So I guess that's what some people are like...

Jhoney_2

For me, the electric fire would be an issue on a health and safety level although it sounds largely like the objection is a financial one if she will not provide heating -

I wouldn't have someone running one in my home whist I slept.... I think that is just as unreasonable an expectation as not providing heating.

getmore4less

Suitcase with lock is a reasonable secure place in a lodger situation for the stuff you don't want a landlord or other resident snooping.

ani*fan

I hope you're able to move out soon. Your LL sounds dreadful.

Just to say, the heat situation reminds me of my student days in shared accomodation. None of us could afford to put the heating on so we all had hot water bottles and multiple jumpers for when we studied at home. It worked well enough, maybe you could try it? A water bottle only costs a few of quid.

moneyistooshorttomention

Maybe onesies help with keeping warm? Personally - I wouldnt be seen dead in one - but I'm guessing they help keep the wearer warm?

What I do is a thick long fleece dressing gown over my clothes. That looks reasonable imo and can be whipped off fast if there is a caller at the door.