Troublesome lodger

bigjoe

spirit wrote: »

Hi all,

There will be cleaning deductions and possibly redecoration of the room ready for the next licencee as fag smells are difficult to eradicate . .

It may sound like wanting it all my own way . . .

I have taken photographic and actual evidence of the fag butts in the room . . .

As for possible redecoration, try opening the window first.

Yes it does sound like you want it all your own way - your lodger gone but you still want his money.

Your photographic "evidence" is worthless. Who is to say you didn't smoke the fags then put the butts in his room? And did you go into his room without his permission?

I'm glad you're not my landlord. If you take in lodgers expect to earn at least some of your money. A bit like having kids - only you don't want them to pooh in their nappies.

spirit

He has the window open most of the time - he obviously thinks that it will get rid of the smell - it doesn't.

He has the big window open even when it's howling a gale and diddling in rain - neighbours have seen him standing there smoking.

I don't need permission to go in any room in my house - he has not got an exclusive tenancy, he is a lodger.

He knows he was not to smoke in there

I don't smoke, and why would I want to 'plant' fags in his room? If I want him out, I just serve notice not play childish games like planting evidence.

No-one has their money stolen by me.

Lastly, the sooner he goes the better and I can get on with preparing for a decent lodger - just like the 3 others have been in that room, and the 2 in the smaller room. If I'm that bad a landlord, how come I'm still in regular contact with all of them?

greektony

Because they dont smoke?

barnaby-bear

spirit wrote: »

I don't need permission to go in any room in my house - he has not got an exclusive tenancy, he is a lodger.

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Landlord/lady attitude from hell.....

SerenaGoode

robpw2 wrote: »

ok if he has broken the terms of cotract you can keep his deposit but not as rent ...
you can have it to clean the room but you would need to be able to proivide proof of this .
YOu can have it to cover any expenses caused bu unpaid rent up untill the point you served notice .

Not if she agrees to let the tenant leave early she can't.

And seriously, the costs of cleaning a room where someone has had a few fags are what? £10? Totally inappropriate to keep any of the deposit for that, especially when the room would need cleaning anyway.

SerenaGoode

barnaby-bear wrote: »

:eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

Landlord/lady attitude from hell.....

Agreed.

Poking around in his room for evidence is really intrusive.

spirit

I don't poke around in his room for evidence, his ashtray is in full view. I would never and have never touched anything, opened cupboards, drawers or anything else. I do actually respect their privacy, but I won't allow smoking and as they knew that, surely they should respect my wishes. would you allow people to have a sneaky smoke in your house if you were a non smoker and didn't like smoke?

robpw2

they are not allowed to smoke in your house if you request it ! you own the house its your way or the highway

spirit

Thank you robpw2,

SerenaGoode

spirit wrote: »

I don't poke around in his room for evidence, his ashtray is in full view. I would never and have never touched anything, opened cupboards, drawers or anything else. I do actually respect their privacy, but I won't allow smoking and as they knew that, surely they should respect my wishes. would you allow people to have a sneaky smoke in your house if you were a non smoker and didn't like smoke?

No I think it's fair enough to have rules and to ask someone to leave if they are being broken. But this stuff about taking pictures of cigarette butts for evidence etc comes across as rather intrusive and odd. If I had a lodger I think I'd try to treat their room as private as long as they are in the house. Certainly that is most people's expectation in any situation where a house is being shared - that people won't go into their room uninvited. Whereas you just say "I don't need permission to go in any room in my house - he has not got an exclusive tenancy, he is a lodger." That seems a pretty disrespectful attitude to me.

You said you'd already caught him and asked him to clean up. So fine if you can't bear the smoke, ask him to leave, but do it properly. Either with proper notice, or if you want him out straight away, don't expect any further rent.

That was my real problem - your original idea about keeping his deposit - hopefully you've dropped that now at least.