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

Reginald74

He’s a criminal. It’s probably a scam or will be if he can turn it into one. His mother will also be a criminal. His father is probably a dead criminal. Call his bluff and fight this so that these scumbags don’t win. Don’t pay him a single penny. 

davemorton

Just a thought, have you changed the locks/would he have had a chance to get a set of keys cut?

tooldle

CKhalvashi said:

hazyjo said:

Have a really good Google for similar stories. Think it's already been said, but I'm sure he's prob done this before and targeted you due to your ad saying about checks.

What a nasty human being.

But on the basis of everything we've seen here, I don't believe OP has been unreasonable in their requests to the lodger given their full circumstances and the clarity in the advert.

However much I've picked on specific contract terms, OP has acted reasonably in these dealings. I find it difficult to see where the lodger feels they'd win in this case.

Potentially relying on the OP to settle and avoid the pressure. 

NameUnavailable

themastergoose said:

Quick update if ppl are still following this. He’s declined mediation so it’s going to a full hearing at some date at the county court.

I can’t gauge whether he’s being serious and is going to attend and attempt a defence, or he’s spend the money and just longing this out to annoy me for whatever reason? I guess I’ll soon find out.

He's not helped himself there. If you have agreed to mediation and he declined, the court won't be very impressed - you always need to show a willingness to negotiate where possible.

Your terms (I think) were all conditional upon the relevant checks being OK. I think the grey area is that you gave a 6 month agreement but then terminated. The 'contract' was contradictory so it may be worth running it past a solicitor if the costs aren't too much. 

Then either let him have his day in court and hope that they agree he's trying it on, or make some without prejudice offer, something nominal but enough that it might get rid of him!

hazyjo

CKhalvashi said:

hazyjo said:

Have a really good Google for similar stories. Think it's already been said, but I'm sure he's prob done this before and targeted you due to your ad saying about checks.

What a nasty human being.

But on the basis of everything we've seen here, I don't believe OP has been unreasonable in their requests to the lodger given their full circumstances and the clarity in the advert.

However much I've picked on specific contract terms, OP has acted reasonably in these dealings. I find it difficult to see where the lodger feels they'd win in this case.

Absolutely agree, hence my post. They're probably hoping for an out of court settlement. Was hoping people in similar positions might be able to help, or could be used against this conman.

CKhalvashi

hazyjo said:

CKhalvashi said:

hazyjo said:

Have a really good Google for similar stories. Think it's already been said, but I'm sure he's prob done this before and targeted you due to your ad saying about checks.

What a nasty human being.

But on the basis of everything we've seen here, I don't believe OP has been unreasonable in their requests to the lodger given their full circumstances and the clarity in the advert.

However much I've picked on specific contract terms, OP has acted reasonably in these dealings. I find it difficult to see where the lodger feels they'd win in this case.

Absolutely agree, hence my post. They're probably hoping for an out of court settlement. Was hoping people in similar positions might be able to help, or could be used against this conman.

From my experience based on what we have seen, I would attempt to defend in full. I have stated most of my reasons for this and am open to discuss with the OP any other position they may wish to take.

My professional knowledge may be a bit rusty and not from these exact circumstances, but I firmly believe it would be unjust for OP to have to pay anything further than a week of rent (and even then I'm not sure they should pay that, just that it would be a maximum) on the basis of the information posted here.

hazyjo

CKhalvashi said:

hazyjo said:

CKhalvashi said:

hazyjo said:

Have a really good Google for similar stories. Think it's already been said, but I'm sure he's prob done this before and targeted you due to your ad saying about checks.

What a nasty human being.

But on the basis of everything we've seen here, I don't believe OP has been unreasonable in their requests to the lodger given their full circumstances and the clarity in the advert.

However much I've picked on specific contract terms, OP has acted reasonably in these dealings. I find it difficult to see where the lodger feels they'd win in this case.

Absolutely agree, hence my post. They're probably hoping for an out of court settlement. Was hoping people in similar positions might be able to help, or could be used against this conman.

From my experience based on what we have seen, I would attempt to defend in full. I have stated most of my reasons for this and am open to discuss with the OP any other position they may wish to take.

My professional knowledge may be a bit rusty and not from these exact circumstances, but I firmly believe it would be unjust for OP to have to pay anything further than a week of rent (and even then I'm not sure they should pay that, just that it would be a maximum) on the basis of the information posted here.

I still agree.

To clarify, the lodger is a chancer and the OP should fight this all the way and not offer to pay a penny.

What I was also saying is that he's probably done this before. It may be helpful for the OP to try to find these people.

Ms_Chocaholic

Thank you for updating us; lots of luck to you in Court, I've no doubt that you'll win.

SavingPennies_2

hazyjo said:

CKhalvashi said:

hazyjo said:

CKhalvashi said:

hazyjo said:

Have a really good Google for similar stories. Think it's already been said, but I'm sure he's prob done this before and targeted you due to your ad saying about checks.

What a nasty human being.

But on the basis of everything we've seen here, I don't believe OP has been unreasonable in their requests to the lodger given their full circumstances and the clarity in the advert.

However much I've picked on specific contract terms, OP has acted reasonably in these dealings. I find it difficult to see where the lodger feels they'd win in this case.

Absolutely agree, hence my post. They're probably hoping for an out of court settlement. Was hoping people in similar positions might be able to help, or could be used against this conman.

From my experience based on what we have seen, I would attempt to defend in full. I have stated most of my reasons for this and am open to discuss with the OP any other position they may wish to take.

My professional knowledge may be a bit rusty and not from these exact circumstances, but I firmly believe it would be unjust for OP to have to pay anything further than a week of rent (and even then I'm not sure they should pay that, just that it would be a maximum) on the basis of the information posted here.

I still agree.

To clarify, the lodger is a chancer and the OP should fight this all the way and not offer to pay a penny.

What I was also saying is that he's probably done this before. It may be helpful for the OP to try to find these people.

I agree, I think a lot of people in this situation would be scared (of spiralling costs, getting into a legal dispute or even of the person himself) and would just pay up to get rid of the problem. I think this is what the person is after, rather than winning the case. Good luck OP.

CKhalvashi

SavingPennies_2 said:

hazyjo said:

CKhalvashi said:

hazyjo said:

CKhalvashi said:

hazyjo said:

Have a really good Google for similar stories. Think it's already been said, but I'm sure he's prob done this before and targeted you due to your ad saying about checks.

What a nasty human being.

But on the basis of everything we've seen here, I don't believe OP has been unreasonable in their requests to the lodger given their full circumstances and the clarity in the advert.

However much I've picked on specific contract terms, OP has acted reasonably in these dealings. I find it difficult to see where the lodger feels they'd win in this case.

Absolutely agree, hence my post. They're probably hoping for an out of court settlement. Was hoping people in similar positions might be able to help, or could be used against this conman.

From my experience based on what we have seen, I would attempt to defend in full. I have stated most of my reasons for this and am open to discuss with the OP any other position they may wish to take.

My professional knowledge may be a bit rusty and not from these exact circumstances, but I firmly believe it would be unjust for OP to have to pay anything further than a week of rent (and even then I'm not sure they should pay that, just that it would be a maximum) on the basis of the information posted here.

I still agree.

To clarify, the lodger is a chancer and the OP should fight this all the way and not offer to pay a penny.

What I was also saying is that he's probably done this before. It may be helpful for the OP to try to find these people.

I agree, I think a lot of people in this situation would be scared (of spiralling costs, getting into a legal dispute or even of the person himself) and would just pay up to get rid of the problem. I think this is what the person is after, rather than winning the case. Good luck OP.

But it's the SCC, spiralling costs won't be an issue here.

I agree on a balance of probability that the OP should fight this as stated, and along with others remain open to further collaboration to help them.

I was not of this opinion right the way through, but have stated my reasons constantly.