Lodger lied during application, outcome on page 29...!

themastergoose

Afternoon all,

I took in a new lodger a little over 2 weeks ago. He come to view the room and was pretty upfront about not being able to pass a credit check. I asked why and he explained it was due to a marriage and joint debt's that ended in 2017 and he's got some default's but nothing recent.

I also stated that because of who I work for (and it's work from home a lot of the time - access to equipment etc), my employer requires a standard background check. He said that would be fine. He paid the deposit, agreed to pay went weekly in advance and was told very clearly and in writing that if the Credit or background check returns anything different it may result in eviction.

Now, I got the credit check pretty quick. True enough, several defaults on joint loans and nothing in the last 3 years. He picked up the keys and moved in while the background check that can take a few weeks comes back. This is where there is a problem.

He's got 13 convictions. Earliest was 2006, a Section 20 GBH charge that resulted in 32 months imprisonment. Then in between there's petty theft and shoplifting offences up until 2012 all with varying community sentences and fines. Most recently there's several very serious offence categories that have resulted in a suspended sentence of 36 months and two restraining orders issued in 2016 against a female and a child both still in-place until 2028 (from what I gather, this date is when the child has his 18th birthday). There's also a serious harm prevention order in place for the child also until 2028. Then there's a breach of said restraining orders in 2017 and he's sent to prison again for 36 months, plus a further 200 hours community work for whatever caused the restraining orders to be breached. By all account's, looks like he was released from prison in 2020, but isn't allowed any contact with what I am assuming is the ex and mother of his son, or his son himself.

It's almost trivial at this point but he's also been late paying the room rent on weeks 2 and 3 already, and did have a huge argument with me on Wednesday just gone about the fact I've a problem with him continually helping himself to coffee, milk, pasta, rice and crisps I buy. His reply was "your room advert said all inclusive". I called him a !!!!!! to assume that covered food in his eyes.

Now - I think it may be pretty obvious, but he didn't mention any of this during the application so should I serve notice given his very violent criminal past? My employer is recommending it, and I'm guessing I legally can so early on because he's not been honest. He doesn't yet know I know about his criminal past. He must have known this was going to come up, so how should I proceed with approaching him because I think he will become aggressive once confronted and will refuse to move out?

user1977

Yes.

Not sure what the point was of getting a background check after he had already moved in?

Lespaul1960

Well that's put me right off the idea of getting a lodger.  !!    Sorry I can't be more help.

Chris_English

Change the locks while he’s out, tell him that you can’t and won’t have a violent criminal in your home, by text, and tell him that you can leave his possessions out for him to collect if he lets you know when suits.
Don’t let him back in your house.

themastergoose

user1977 said:

Yes.

Not sure what the point was of getting a background check after he had already moved in?

Background check was put in the day before the keys were handed over. It often takes a week or two for them to come back. It was written in the agreement which he signed that moving in was conditional to the checks coming back as disclosed. Not to dissimilar to some companies I have work for in the past. You'll honestly disclose anything and start the job, but know full well they can fire you if the check comes back a few weeks later and you'd lied about something.

sevenhills

themastergoose said:

He's got 13 convictions.

When the police attend properties, they are often warned about people with criminal or violent convictions. I would seek their advice.

IamWood

themastergoose said:

user1977 said:

Yes.

Not sure what the point was of getting a background check after he had already moved in?

Background check was put in the day before the keys were handed over. It often takes a week or two for them to come back. It was written in the agreement which he signed that moving in was conditional to the checks coming back as disclosed. Not to dissimilar to some companies I have work for in the past. You'll honestly disclose anything and start the job, but know full well they can fire you if the check comes back a few weeks later and you'd lied about something.

Well, it works differently. It is an organization against a person. Taking on a lodger is just you against a huge guy who may care nothing. Lessons to learn.

Who wants a lodger who is unemployed and in debt.

user1977

themastergoose said:

user1977 said:

Yes.

Not sure what the point was of getting a background check after he had already moved in?

Background check was put in the day before the keys were handed over. It often takes a week or two for them to come back. It was written in the agreement which he signed that moving in was conditional to the checks coming back as disclosed. Not to dissimilar to some companies I have work for in the past. You'll honestly disclose anything and start the job, but know full well they can fire you if the check comes back a few weeks later and you'd lied about something.

Yes, but with job applicants there's much less scope for surprises about what they've been up to in the past, compared with a random person looking for a room - and much more hassle for them if they're found to have been lying about something.

FreeBear

IamWood said: Who wants a lodger who is unemployed and in debt.

Nothing wrong with unemployed people - Some of them can't help being out of work, often due to heath conditions. And being in debt is often part & parcel of being out of work.

A criminal record, especially for violent crimes would put me right off. Last time I was advertising for a lodger, had one apply. Did a quick search and found he had spent time in the local prison and was on the sex offender's register. Big nope.

OP - Just give him notice. A "big argument" and late on rent would be enough of a reason for me. helping himself to food (theft) is just taking the final biscuit.

GDB2222

The big question for me is whether you are prepared to give him notice or want him to go right away? Either way, where is he going to go? 

If it were me, and I wanted him to leave straight away, I’d offer to pay for a B and B for a week or two. I don’t think you can just chuck him out on the street. 

themastergoose

Thanks for the replies everyone. Firstly, I do need to say that as far as checks go he did tell me credit past would be an issue. I'm willing to overlook past bad credit if there's nothing recent. His employment checked out, and he has good levels of income. He was asked about criminal records disclosure and he said there was none and HE happily filled in the DBS check paperwork and paid the deposit and first weeks rent in advance. He must have known it was all going to come up.

I've confronted him about it an hour ago now, making sure I had a mate here also first so it wasn't just me and him. He didn't argue as I expected and I served notice of 1 week as pays week to week. I stated his dishonesty when asked about the offences and the severity of them can't be overlooked. Again, he's not argued back and asked if he leaves earlier than the week's notice will he be refunded for unused days. I've agreed to this, so I think he's going to go quietly as he wants the part refund and deposit back.