Lodger keeps bring her BF back

steve866

Amazin said:

The lodger I'm currently living with keeps bring her BF back here and he's here almost on a daily basis. What is the best thing to do? I did mention before she moved in that it's a double bedroom for one person only. She's basically paying one person's rent but getting more than what she's paying for.   

What outcome are you looking for? For me personally the issue would be the potential for the house to be overcrowded but you seem concerned about the financials. Would you be happy for the bf to move in if they paid more rent?

aoleks

I was in a similar situation, twice. It happens more often than you think and it's not always the end of the world.

The one thing I made clear on one occasion was that the BF needed to stop showering there. I'm not petty about a few pounds on bills, as many others said, it's not significant. But when you sleep there, you eat there, you shower there, that then becomes your home and I wasn't ok with it.

Having said that, I think people do have a life (and the right to it too) when they're a lodger, you can't expect that to be put on hold. People will want to have sex, spend time with others, see a friend etc.

As long as there are boundaries and nothing is excessive, I think it's fine. If, on the other hand, you are very strict about things (you also have the right to be), then make that extremely clear from before the lodging starts and put it in writing. Also give a final warning at the first breach...

lookstraightahead

I haven't had lodgers but I have friends who do. It seems surprising that a lodger is unable to have people in the room they are paying for. These lodgers have a life as well.

I won't have a lodger as I value my personal time and space, and i wouldnt expect a lodger to not have guests.

What happens if the landlord has a guest over and they use the facilities when the lodger wants to? Does the lodger get a refund?

silvercar

It’s a bit niave to take on a lodger and expect that they never have a guest staying over.

Amazin

lookstraightahead said:

Did you say they couldn't have guests?

yes I did, she's on housing benefit btw. In the contract, it said she's not supposed to have people staying over but I did tell her in person that I don't mind from "from time to time". 

The reason she's doing this is because she's reached a stage in their relationship where they want to spend time with each other all the time but they don't have the money to rent a studio flate and she doesn't want to work


"""Do they get left in the property when the lodger is not there.

Number of overnights in a row 
Average number of nights over a period.
Eg.
7n in a row but just a few times a year probably ok
Average of more than 1/2 a month one to watch.

Are they using domestic facilities like washing machine for their clothing.

Have they installed their personal items like toothbrush, significant clothing, other equipment.

Does the lodger go stay at their other place.
Is it proportional.""""

I don't know all the full details but he's here alot and pretty much on a daily basis and staying over night. According to other house mate he here during the day as well. It is definitely a breach of contract, I will have a word with her....again or alternatively I might need to speak to housing benefit about this. 


<<Be careful as you may lead yourself down the path of agreement to them as a 2 for additional money.>>

that's not going to happen because we don't do couples here. It's one double bedroom for one person. 

pinkshoes

If the contract says no over-night guests then just speak to her immediately.  

Remind her of the contract details, perhaps state that ONE night a week (fortnight??)at the weekend is OK, but if he stays more than this then you will be giving her notice to leave as she is in breach of the contract.

ps - the boyfriend hasn't got a criminal record has be with unspent convictions?!?! (reference to another lodger thread...)

DiamondLil

Amazin said:

lookstraightahead said:

Did you say they couldn't have guests?

yes I did, she's on housing benefit btw. In the contract, it said she's not supposed to have people staying over but I did tell her in person that I don't mind from "from time to time". 

The reason she's doing this is because she's reached a stage in their relationship where they want to spend time with each other all the time but they don't have the money to rent a studio flate and she doesn't want to work

Is there a reason for her not working, other than simply "not wanting to" ?

getmore4less

Amazin said:

lookstraightahead said:

Did you say they couldn't have guests?

yes I did, she's on housing benefit btw. In the contract, it said she's not supposed to have people staying over but I did tell her in person that I don't mind from "from time to time". 
snip
............

You have your answer,

Warning : it stops immediately the "time to time" has been withdrawn totally and you don't want people around every day either..
or
Just go straight to notice :  if you don't have terms to cover reasonable other time activity could just hang around all day.

Maybe consider getting a single bed for the room.

canaldumidi

For those who say it's unreasonable to expect lodgers not to have guests/boyfriends etc, that is not a relevant discussion. It is entirely dependant on each situation. Some LLs have no problem with this, some do, and some choose to charge a modest extra amount to cover the extra cost.

The point is

a) it should all be made clear at the start and

b) if the LL is unhappy for whatever reason with the way the lodger occupies their (the LL's) home, then the LL/lodger relationship is not working and should end.

In this case the lodger's relationship seems to have developed so the lodger's needs are not what they were originally, and the property is no longer suitable. The lodger should find accomodation for her+boyfriend, whether that is another lodging based on 2 people, or a private rental or whatever.

newsgroupmonkey_

Amazin said:

lookstraightahead said:

Did you say they couldn't have guests?

yes I did, she's on housing benefit btw. In the contract, it said she's not supposed to have people staying over but I did tell her in person that I don't mind from "from time to time". 

Just as an aside, if you allow lodgers on Housing Benefit that sit around the house all day, does that not have a huge impact on your bills? (Obviously, we're all now starting to consider these)