Flatmate has left leaving me up the creek

[EachandEveryone]

I wonder how long before I can get another one. My rent has doubled since I had a knock on the door last night. Flat mates mum turned up to empty her room. She was really lovely as well. Not even a text. Apparently she went to NI has caught a chest infection and been put on antibiotics and her mum has told her she needs to move back home! I want to say see how the land lies she might want to come back in afew weeks.

So Im all on my own some and my rent has shot up from £700 to £1250 plus bills. Im trying not to worry but I need to make a plan. Im lucky in that Im a nurse and of course there’s overtime but thats not without its risks.

Will people ever return to London? I cant ask for help and theres no point telling the landlord as they know Im a nurse and Ive been here 15 years.

[BuffaloCauliflower]

Is the tenancy only in your name and you sublet the room to this flatmate?

[DonnaDarko]

Are you both on the tenancy agreement and didn't she give notice? What does the agreement say? She could still be liable for her portion of the rent until she finds a replacement.

[Jozen]

Inform your landlord asap that the flatmate has left due to medical reasons and go from there.
There's not much more you can do at present time. You could advertise for new flatmate but people probably aren't moving much unless they've found themselves in a similar situation with housing.

[Veterinari]

If you have separate tenancy agreements then she is responsible, not you

[Jozen]

If you have separate tenancy agreements then she is responsible, not you

That's true, or were you subletting?

[EachandEveryone]

Subletting. Always have. Im the longterm tenant its always been the case. Everyone prefers it that way.

[EachandEveryone]

Her rents been paid til the 20th. I hope shes ok.

[Atalune]

You need to speak to your landlord and come to arrangement.

[DianaT1969]

Could you find a NHS flatmate? I hear that some are having to leave their families in order to shield them. Is there a NHS accommodation service at your hospital?

[MairzyDoats]

I hope she's ok too, sounds like her mammy is the overbearing type! She may well want to come back once she's better, can you contqct her? I appreciate that these are scary times but surely she has a job and a life?!

[Useryokyesno]

Did you have subletting contract with your flatmate?

[FamilyOfAliens]

I’m surprised you let a stranger into your house in the current climate. I hope she kept her distance and scrubbed down everything she touched afterwards.

[Northernsoullover]

If you are the same poster I think you are am I right in thinking your landlord is aware that you sublet? If so I would just ask for a reduction. The worst they can say is no

[Alsohuman]

I’m surprised you let a stranger into your house in the current climate

I expect she let herself in with her daughter’s key.

[EachandEveryone]

A contract makes no difference.

She’s very precious the other week she text me to come and rescue her because she couldn’t get out of a dress she’d tried on. There’s some anxiety there. Yes she was up
To the 4th stage with the police and has a job she could walk to. Her aunt got Ill she went home and deep down I had a feeling I’d never see her again. I wonder if it’s because they didn’t want her sharing with a nurse?

[Hiphopopotamus]

I was waiting for the first person to say that the mother should not have been in the flat it’s like Coronavirus bingo

[whataboutbob]

If you want the landlords perspective, and probably correct information, try posting on Landlordzone. The old pros on there will have come across this kind of situation.

[EachandEveryone]

She was the nicest flatmate I’d had in a long time. After getting rid of the skunk smoking one she was a breath of fresh air although I hated her Yankee candle addiction.

[HarrietTheShy]

Is there a deposit? She has to give you reasonable notice to leave.

[ChateauMargaux]

She needs to carry on paying you rent. Speak to her. If she has a contract she needs to stick to the terms of the contract and if she thinks she wants to come back in a few weeks she absolutely has to carry on paying.

[EachandEveryone]

The bottom line is the rent comes out of my wages every month and that won’t change. I would rather the landlord put a new bed in there and did it up abit because I think it will be a struggle to find someone

It’s the rest of the bills that will finish me, and I know I’m in a better position than a lot of people. .

[CommunistLegoBloc]

You say this subletting suits everyone but I have lost count of the number of posts you write about your terrible flatmates! Perhaps it's time to do it properly? But for now, inform the landlord.

[YetAnotherBeckyMumsnet]

Hello everyone

We've had a number of reports from people concerned about this thread so, as we usually do in these circs, we're putting our heads round the door with some important reminders.

Right now we can't see any evidence to indicate that the OP isn't above board – if we did, we'd remove the thread straight away. But the truth is that, sadly, we at MNHQ can't know with 100% certainty that any poster is genuine, no matter who they are or how long they have been here. As frustrating as it is, we're not able to vouch for anyone here.

So we always ask users to remember that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are – and remind folk not to give more to another poster, either financially (in cash or gifts) or emotionally (in time or care and support) than they'd be prepared to lose if things went wrong. We strongly advise against parting with any cash or giving away your personal details, and if you receive a PM which makes you uneasy - report it to us and we’ll take a look.

Sorry to hijack your thread briefly there, OP – we really hope you get it all sorted soon. In the meantime, you might find some useful information on our guide for dealing with financial difficulty

[EachandEveryone]

Sorry, what is this? I’ve been here years go look at me on the litter tray or the telly pages! I’ve emphatically stated I’m good for the rent it’s just a bummer about the other bills. Jeez I’m not asking for hand outs 😯😯😯

[ChateauMargaux]

If you have been in the property for 15 years, your landlord might well be sympathetic especially if he know you sublet.

Also do ask at work, there may be people who want to stay away from their usual homes for a while or who usually commute now don't want to.