What percentage of deposit should I deduct

Justtryingtoask

I never said I would bin their belongings and I would never do that, unless they told me they specifically didn't want them or after a certain period of time I hadn't heard from them at all.  It is more to do with the thoughtlessness and it is just depressing if some think that is ok. 

Uriziel

RAS said:

That's irrelevant. They didn't vacate on 3 October and won't do so until two weeks later.

You can't bin their belongings. If they were a tenant vacating and leaving belongings behind, you have to put a notice in the window advising you will dispose of stuff after a set date. And they'll be back before the deadline.

If you can get read receipts, by all means tell them now that if it isn't removed the day after they are due back, you will dispose of stuff.

Does your lodging agreement allow you to deduct rent?

I am pretty sure that lodgers can be removed at any time as they are not tenants. You cannot use force to kick them out however the lodger has clearly left and is not there anymore. It makes sense for the OP to remove their items and let the lodger pick them up whenever they are back. If the lodger was told that they have to leave but then they decided to go on a little 2 week holiday that is their problem and not OPs. Is his family meant to pay for a hotel until it suits the lodger to leave?

caprikid1

ok so this is quite simple.

They have clearly not vacated the property yet as this is a large amount of their possessions not rubbish.

I would just text them and let them know they have not vacated the property yet and rent will be payable until the room is returned to you in a vacant and clean state.

If needs be deduct the above from the deposit and move on.

saajan_12

How are posters making up new realities about what the stuff was?

There is a degree of reasonable interpretation. If a lodger (or even tenant) left a pair of undies behind in the corner of the cupboard you can't just charge them rent indefinitely. If the lodger agreed to move out and substantially cleared their belongings on 3rd oct, not showing up again after the 4th oct, saying nothing to the contrary, then it is reasonable to interpret that they have vacated. Any items left behind should be treated in line with abandoned possessions, ie stored for x days and then disposed of with costs charged to the lodger. If the OP doesn't, all they can be sued for is the value of the items less costs incurred, so if the items weren't worth much, I wouldn't be worried. 

theartfullodger

What did lodger agreement state about notice, items left behind etc etc?

Was there a lodger agreement?

theartfullodger

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Justtryingtoask

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply. This was more about me being upset at the thoughtlessness and attitude which seems to be "I don't want really want all these items in my room (or mouldy food in fridge - we are not talking about ketchup etc) I will just leave them for you to deal with. I don't need to clean - someone else can do it!  Lodger also ignored my messages about the above, until they decided to reply and send me their bank details.

The relationship between a lodger and a tenant is quite different.  You share a home, kitchen and also bathroom in this case.  They get to know your family, your pets etc. You have conversations about "stuff".

I plan to deduct a cleaning fee plus a fee for storing all their belongings for 2 weeks while they are away.

theartfullodger

Justtryingtoask said:

.....

The relationship between a lodger and a tenant is quite different.  You share a home, kitchen and also bathroom in this case.  They get to know your family, your pets etc. You have conversations about "stuff".

I plan to deduct a cleaning fee plus a fee for storing all their belongings for 2 weeks while they are away.

In Scotland a lodger is also a tenant (legally).

In my experience as a landlord (over 20 years, but previously with lodgers, first one, inherited with property, £10 a week...) if the landlord proactively manages the relationship (I didn't to start with...) then matters are usually much better.  But the experience of others may be different...

Done any training or education in being a landlord? (Again to start with I didn't, oh the hubris, oh my stupidity...)

Best wishes to all 

Justtryingtoask

theartfullodger said:

Justtryingtoask said:

.....

The relationship between a lodger and a tenant is quite different.  You share a home, kitchen and also bathroom in this case.  They get to know your family, your pets etc. You have conversations about "stuff".

I plan to deduct a cleaning fee plus a fee for storing all their belongings for 2 weeks while they are away.

In Scotland a lodger is also a tenant (legally).

In my experience as a landlord (over 20 years, but previously with lodgers, first one, inherited with property, £10 a week...) if the landlord proactively manages the relationship (I didn't to start with...) then matters are usually much better.  But the experience of others may be different...

Done any training or education in being a landlord? (Again to start with I didn't, oh the hubris, oh my stupidity...)

Best wishes to all 

Hi 

In response to one of your earlier comments.  You will know I am sure (having done your landlord training) that under the govt "Rent a Room" scheme you are allowed to earn £6500 pa from renting a room in your home which is exempt from tax.  

We did have a lodger agreement which you can purchase from spare room.com.  This agreement states that the room must be left clean and tidy and basically in the same condition it was found. 

I won't be taking another lodger.

HTH

Regards