New lodger first month's rent and rude behaviour issue

sheff6107

Citizens Advice are usually well meaning but frequently give completely wrong legal advice. You get what you pay for!

randd

Hello everyone,

I went to postoffice to send the notice letter and after then I also gathered some courage to go the local lodger's address (as given on driving license proof) with an attempt to handover the notice letter in person to someone else in his family.

The lodger was there and he came out. I gave that letter to him and said him as such you are living here, why not just take all your stuff and keep it with you. He first said he will come soon and I asked when - he said tomorrow morning.

I thought if he comes in the morning while no one is there then he may damage something or similar. I asked him why not come with me and I'll drop you here with your stuff. He again made an excuses that he can only come after 30 mins if I'm around. I said I'll park my car here and wait.

I was in my car for like 20 mins waiting for him and finally he came. He is now gone with all his stuff and he has also given the key back.

I'm so much relaxed guys! Thank you very much for all your messages. It means a lot to me to get advice from you all. :j

Bongo567

Sounds like he's getting hefty and will get more violent.

Put safety first ask questions later. Even if he takes you to court it's worth the hassle of not having that rude and aggressive behavior.

moneyistooshorttomention

Glad it's worked out okay. Result:T

Red-Squirrel_2

Great news!

I think I'd probably still change the locks though...

Cheeky_Monkey

Red-Squirrel wrote: »

Great news!

I think I'd probably still change the locks though...

Me too - you've no way of knowing whether he got a copy of your key before handing it back to you.

Geoff1963

Definitely change the locks. There are 101 ways for it to go bad if you don't.
CCTV next.

As a wider point for others in the same situation, what about putting someones stuff into storage for a couple of weeks ?

randd

G_M wrote: »

for next time:

a) agree a 1 week notice period either way
b) take full deposit before handing over keys
c) take first week/month's rent before handing over keys

Hello again,

I was just wondering if I go for a 1 week notice period either way, then

• Is it compulsory to go for weekly rent cycle or is monthly also fine?
• Should I ask for 1 week deposit only or 4 weeks (month) amount as deposit?
• If I go for monthly cycle rent and 1 week notice combination, how will the notice work? E.g. If a lodger gives notice in middle of the month then will I have to refund remaining week's amount or lodger just gets the deposit back with no refund from the current month's rent?

I've rented weekly before so I've got no idea how this works. I also read somewhere that for weekly payments I'll need to provide a rental book.

It will be good to read an example if someone can explain the edge cases like above bullet points for a weekly notice case.

Thanks

G_M

randd wrote: »

• Is it compulsory to go for weekly rent cycle or is monthly also fine?
• Should I ask for 1 week deposit only or 4 weeks (month) amount as deposit?
• If I go for monthly cycle rent and 1 week notice combination, how will the notice work? E.g. If a lodger gives notice in middle of the month then will I have to refund remaining week's amount or lodger just gets the deposit back with no refund from the current month's rent?

I've rented weekly before so I've got no idea how this works. I also read somewhere that for weekly payments I'll need to provide a rental book.

It will be good to read an example if someone can explain the edge cases like above bullet points for a weekly notice case.

Thanks

* nothing is compulsory. Everything is fine. The important thing to make sure is that it is clearly written in the contract.
* Up to you how much deposit, but I'd advise a minimum 4 week deposit.
- If charging rent weekly - 4 weeks deposit (+ 1 week rent in advance
- If charging rent monthly - 1 month deposit or 1.5 (+ 1 month rent in advance
Remember the relationship between rent & deposit is not all that matters. The deposit is there to cover damage, as well as rent arrears

* If you charge rent monthly, with 1 week notice, then yes, you should refund any advance rent paid for a period beyond the notice expiry (as well as the deposit). It would clearly be unfair to take a months rent, serve a week's notice the next day, and pocket the month's rent!

* Yes, by law yu must provide a rent book if you charge rent weekly. Pretty mad really but that's the law.

Now change the locks in case he made a copy of the key. Keep the lock you take out, and replace it next time a lodger leaves!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXAo7zSN-9o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIPyqtOmprE

saajan_12

G_M's reply has covered everything I can think of, ofcourse, but just my 2 cents in a simple form

I would charge rent monthly with a 1 week notice period.
-> Rent monthly so it hits accounts on the same date, and you don't have to keep checking / chasing as frequently. Usually salary, mortgages and utilities work monthly so it's easier to budget all round.

-> Refund rent pro rata if over paid, by the number of days remaining from the expiry of the notice to the day before rent is due. Specify how you will calculate this in the agreement to avoid arguments later when days in a month differ.

-> Deposit 1.5 months rent (e.g. in a 2 bed house, the room rent is likely half the house rent, but the lodger has access and could damage most of the property ie. all of the living areas/ bathrooms / outside not half; So while 1month of whole house rent works for a house deposit, I'd ask for a bit more than 1month of room rent.)