How to get the bad lodger out

langtonhighway

Hi, grateful for some advice

Took a lodger in two months ago and I needed to give notice as I'm selling house. I gave one month's notice as per agreement. Since then, he's been nasty and insulting, bordering on aggressive to my daughter and my other lodger. I've looked into immediate eviction and am going to give him a written warning tomorrow that unless he improves his behaviour his notice will change to 24 hours and I want him out. I'm happy to refund his unused rent portion.

But practically speaking - how do I get him out? I know I can't use force, and I know the police won't help.

Most sites say "change the locks when he's out" but he rarely leaves the house. So how do I get him out?

Thanks in advance

pinkshoes

langtonhighway wrote: »

Hi, grateful for some advice

Took a lodger in two months ago and I needed to give notice as I'm selling house. I gave one month's notice as per agreement. Since then, he's been nasty and insulting, bordering on aggressive to my daughter and my other lodger. I've looked into immediate eviction and am going to give him a written warning tomorrow that unless he improves his behaviour his notice will change to 24 hours and I want him out. I'm happy to refund his unused rent portion.

But practically speaking - how do I get him out? I know I can't use force, and I know the police won't help.

Most sites say "change the locks when he's out" but he rarely leaves the house. So how do I get him out?

Thanks in advance

If he doesn't go out, disconnect the internet? (I'm assuming he might use the internet a lot if he stays in??)

Why write to him tomorrow? Have a witnessed conversation stating that his behaviour is unacceptable, and any further aggressive behaviour will result in being asked to leave in 24 hours. Then ask him if he would like to move out any earlier.

langtonhighway

That's a good idea.... He does use it a lot. He's on housing benefit so goes to the job centre every week too. If the worst comes to it, I'll change the locks then. And put his belongings in the garage.

I never thought I'd have to do this to someone. My good nature and willingness to give chances has been taken advantage of.

One extra difficulty is that he has a cat and I don't want to cause the cat any harm. Of course it is harder for him to rent somewhere with a cat in tow:(

diggingdude

Is he angry because he thought he had a long-term home here and then two months later you're selling house??

pinkshoes

diggingdude wrote: »

Is he angry because he thought he had a long-term home here and then two months later you're selling house??

Irrelevant.

Nothing excuses aggressiveness.

He is entitled to feel angry but needs to take it out on something else.

OP, as he is on housing benefit then he needs to take the written notice you have given him to the council to see if they can find him something else.

Turn off the internet and say you have called BT and they hope to have it back on in 48 hours.

diggingdude

I'm not excusing his aggression I'm wondering why he is aggressive

jonnygee2

One extra difficulty is that he has a cat and I don't want to cause the cat any harm. Of course it is harder for him to rent somewhere with a cat in tow

Each to their own but if I were you I'd be prioritising the safety of your own daughter over your lodgers cat.

onwards&upwards

If he continues to behave badly and you go to 24 hours notice then ask the police to attend to prevent a breach of the peace while you kick him out and change the locks.

BrownTrout

Advice above is spot on

Onemanandtwolittleladies

Some people don’t need a reason!

langtonhighway

diggingdude wrote: »

Is he angry because he thought he had a long-term home here and then two months later you're selling house??

Of course not. It was made clear this was a short term thing. I told him I had no idea how long it would take to sell the house, and it could be two months or six months.

However this doesnt excuse his behaviour.

I was after practical advice on how to remove him. Turning off the internet is a good idea and easy to do, so thank you that person