Rented House advice

Money_maker

Just as an aside, have you left any financial information in the house such as bank details or statements? If she's as clever as she appears to be, she has probably used your name/details/address to obtain all kinds of credit in your name.

Paul_Jones_1984

Ms_Chocaholic wrote: »

Depending on the design of the house (does it have a porch) - can you go round in the dead of night and turn your key in the lock to see if it opens.

I'm guessing her keys will be in the lock.

Paul_Jones_1984

Money_maker wrote: »

Just as an aside, have you left any financial information in the house such as bank details or statements? If she's as clever as she appears to be, she has probably used your name/details/address to obtain all kinds of credit in your name.

Yes, all my documents are in the house.
I don't think she'd do that. She may chuck them out on the street though, where others obviously could.

She's not really the kind to cause trouble like that. She probably just wants to be left in peace in the house. She does have debts etc, but she's not dishonest. She genuinely can't pay them.

I just had a text message from her saying that she has spoken to Shelter. They told her that when I left the house, I created a tenancy for her. Prior to me leaving she was a lodger, but now she says she has a default unwritten tenancy. That's not the kind of terminology she would come out with herself. Someone has told her that. They also told her that if I cut off the utilities, then that is harassment. I've looked on their website and it does say something along those lines. But I expect there's a misunderstanding somewhere.

I've told her we both need to speak to the council about the situation. She agrees with that. I've told her I'd be happy for her to take over the tenancy and will go and speak to the letting agents and council about her claiming LHA etc. I know this is unlikely, but I explained my previous reasoning about it and she at least sounded happy about that. She knows the landlord may not agree, but at least we are talking now, so maybe can start to deal with things.

justme111

what right has she to be there - can he just go there , change the locks and call the oolice if she dies not leave in a week/day- whatever reasonable timeframe is ?

Ms_Chocaholic

justme111 wrote: »

what right has she to be there - can he just go there , change the locks and call the oolice if she dies not leave in a week/day- whatever reasonable timeframe is ?

She has no rights to be there, she doesn't have a tenancy agreement? Yes of course he can go and change the locks, it's just finding the right time whilst she's out.

Not sure if you've read the whole thread but the children aren't his.

Ms_Chocaholic

Paul_Jones_1984 wrote: »

Yes, all my documents are in the house.
I don't think she'd do that. She may chuck them out on the street though, where others obviously could.

She's not really the kind to cause trouble like that. She probably just wants to be left in peace in the house. She does have debts etc, but she's not dishonest. She genuinely can't pay them.

I just had a text message from her saying that she has spoken to Shelter. They told her that when I left the house, I created a tenancy for her. Prior to me leaving she was a lodger, but now she says she has a default unwritten tenancy. That's not the kind of terminology she would come out with herself. Someone has told her that. They also told her that if I cut off the utilities, then that is harassment. I've looked on their website and it does say something along those lines. But I expect there's a misunderstanding somewhere.

I've told her we both need to speak to the council about the situation. She agrees with that. I've told her I'd be happy for her to take over the tenancy and will go and speak to the letting agents and council about her claiming LHA etc. I know this is unlikely, but I explained my previous reasoning about it and she at least sounded happy about that. She knows the landlord may not agree, but at least we are talking now, so maybe can start to deal with things.

What happened to OPTION 1 - changing the locks!

DCFC79

Paul_Jones_1984 wrote: »

And how do I know when she's out?
She only really goes on short trips to the shops.
So if she's only gone out to the shops, do I just call the locksmith? Most likely she'd be back before they arrived.
Sounds like you don't really have much experience of this situation.

Phone a few locksmiths (or change them yourself), explain the situation or just the basics eg lost keys to the property, you arrange to meet the ex somewhere, either you do meet her and leave say your dad/a friend to pay the locksmith and let you know when its done or you dont meet her.

Pixie5740

Paul_Jones_1984 wrote: »

I just had a text message from her saying that she has spoken to Shelter. They told her that when I left the house, I created a tenancy for her. Prior to me leaving she was a lodger, but now she says she has a default unwritten tenancy. That's not the kind of terminology she would come out with herself. Someone has told her that. They also told her that if I cut off the utilities, then that is harassment. I've looked on their website and it does say something along those lines. But I expect there's a misunderstanding somewhere.

That's not the kind of terminology Shelter would use either so someone is telling porkies. :whistle:

DaftyDuck

It's also utter bilge. Go back, change the locks (with her in or out, it doesn't matter), get her out and then sort the rental out!

SnooksNJ

Paul_Jones_1984 wrote: »

Ignoring the American soap opera comments, yes I am concerned my belongings may be damaged (trashed is not an English word). That is the main reason I am trying to act in a sensible manner and not antagonize.

And by "normal" GF, you mean one who goes on the tenancy agreement? Or one who never gets pregnant?

Well yes, in an ideal world no one would have debts and relationships would not end etc. But people need to deal with reality.

A normal girlfriend wouldn't damage your belongings when she feels she is being "antagonized".
A normal girlfriend wouldn't change the locks on a house where she isn't on the tenancy.
A normal girlfriend wouldn't think she can live for free and expect an ex boyfriend with minimal financial resources to pay for her.
A normal girlfriend would say this isn't working out, pack up her things, and move back to Leeds.

I look forward to you defending her behavior some more.