How to ask my lodger to leave without telling him the truth

alexia3999

I have a lodger currently in my house that I just find rude and is not very polite. He has a completely different body clock to myself and has been recently going to bed at 4am. I work a 9-5 job. I have decided I no longer want him living in my house but the notice period in the lodger contract is 1 month and I don’t want to say anything when giving him the notice that could make living with him for the next month horrendous. I’m thinking of having a female as my next lodger due to myself being a young female and the fact I think I will be more comfortable in my house if I do. How best do you think I should go about telling him? I do have a letter ready to give him as the written notice side of it. 

Robroy79

You don't have to tell him "the truth".....in this age you can just tell him "your truth". Just say that it's not working for you (it's your life and your home) and you want to live on your own, I don't believe you should need to go beyond this. If he starts being unreasonable then do something more formal. 

Then leave a short gap before then bringing in a new lodger.

TBagpuss

You don't need to give a reason. 

Just give him notice.

That said, there's nothing wrong with saying "I don't feel it's working out as you're clearly a night owl and I'm not" - that's not a personal judgment on him, it simply means you are not compatible as housemates. 

But if you are not comfortable with that then saying that you want to live by yourself  for a while is also fine.

Don't overthink it. 

[Deleted User]

Just tell him you're really sorry but a very dear old friend has just broken up with their partner and needs the room.   

You just wouldn't be able to do any in person viewings due to this person not existing.

But you could get around that with a good video of the property, photos, meeting prospective lodgers for a chat and a walk outside of the property to see if you get on and sound them out about lifestyle compatibility.

New person could move in 24 hours after he departs, just enough time for a clean.

Main thing is give him his proper notice period and refund deposit promptly and it should stay civil.

alexia3999

Robroy79 said:

You don't have to tell him "the truth".....in this age you can just tell him "your truth". Just say that it's not working for you (it's your life and your home) and you want to live on your own, I don't believe you should need to go beyond this. If he starts being unreasonable then do something more formal. 

Then leave a short gap before then bringing in a new lodger.

The only issue I have is I was looking to have a new lodger move in a week or so after he has left which means whilst he is still in my house I will more than likely be talking to new potential lodgers and giving virtual/in person tours of the house. So I don’t want to say I want to live on my own. 

Robroy79

Start your day with some very loud Death Metal at 7am?

alexia3999

Robroy79 said:

Start your day with some very loud Death Metal at 7am?

😂😂yeah I have stopped being quiet now when I go to work but don’t want to !!!!!! my neighbours with the music as they’re lovely. 

theartfullodger

alexia3999 said:

How to ask my lodger to leave without telling him the truth

This is a calm, polite, comment, not in any way a criticism.

Many might say by lying, obviously.  But that ain't the decent, fair-play, way to do things.  There are alternative strategies.

[Deleted User]

I think it's very fair and constructive to say it's not working out for you and you are frequently disturbed by him going to bed so late. You don't need to construct a lie. It is very understandable for someone who works 'normal' hours to have a lodger on the same schedule so (in my opinion) you'd be completely justified in telling the truth in a way that isn't going to get his back up. It also means that he's mindful of this over the next month and possibly the next place he goes to. 

SuperHung

not fair to lodger, was any questions asked about job/hobbies before you let him the room?

teachfast

SuperHung said:

not fair to lodger, was any questions asked about job/hobbies before you let him the room?

Don't be ridiculous. There is nothing wrong with discovering you can't live under the same roof as someone. 

OP: just tell him the truth and serve notice. He'll probably be apologetic.