My friend (although this term is becoming slightly frayed) has sub let a room from me for coming up to 6 years now (with a 6 month break). He moved out for 6 months with his then GF. Within this time I became a single parent and the LL, who is a family friend, waved the money I would have been getting from friend as he was aware I couldn't afford it (I was and am still very greatful for him doing this) until I could find someone else to rent the room or afford the money.
Friend's relationship broke down and he asked to move back in. I asked that he rented directly off of LL this time so that I would not be accountable if he didn't pay, however he would pay bill money to me as I paid the bills.
Everything was fine and rent was on time, bill money on time until friend unexpectedly quit his job, I won't go into details but he was accused of something he didn't do and in retaliation he quit.
This was a year and a half ago. Since this time, he has repeatedly lied to myself, DP, LL and his parents about having jobs that he doesn't have. Jobs that originally sounded to good to be true, then progressed to lies about jobs at fast food places. He never leaves the sofa (He has also ruined the cushions on my brand new sofas in the space of 2 months). There is no evidence of him applying for jobs, and both me and DP have written multiple CV's for different job types, written covering letters, even gone as far as applying for jobs for him...he has an interview and nothing comes of it. He sits around and plays his game console all day on the electricity I'm paying for.
DP had a very heart to heart talk with him recently. Where he admitted he though LL should have kicked him out by now because he hasn't paid any rent in over a year, I'd been told his Dad was paying his rent. LL had asked him in return to keep the garden tidy and help us out for paying for his food and bills. He doesn't do this, DP, myself and my Dad have been looking after the garden.
At first I felt sorry for him, as he's a very shy person and that he wasn't having great luck. I've tried to help as much as I can but I work Full time, I have a 7 year old DD and I'm 19 weeks PG.
WIBU to send a message to the LL saying something along the lines of "it's come to our attention that your not being payed any rent from friend. DP and I wanted you to know that we would be more than happy to cover the full rent should you have to part ways with friend"?
Oh wow that's long...Thank you if you reached the bottom of the endless thread of doom!
AIBU?
To contact the Landlord
ConfusedLlama · 31/05/2017 10:50
I think the way the LL is managing the rent is sensible - not sure of the legal technicalities though, it sounds a bit dodgy. 
It seems the LL won't kick him out (and has no real reason to do so) if his portion of the rent is being paid by his Dad. Unless the landlord is a friend of yours, I doubt he would have let over a year's worth of rent go just so not to upset you. It sounds like you have agreed for this guy to rent the room, so the LL is irrespective of the current situation.
So the real issue at hand is your relationship with your co-tenant. You've taken the first step and had an honest conversation with him. For me, the next step is to give him two to three weeks to see if he gets his act together, and if not, set some clear deadlines. e.g. We would like you to cut the grass in the garden by the end of the week.
Depending on how desperate you are, the final step is telling him he has 4 weeks to get out of your flat and you will need to find a different way to make up the difference in rent or find alternative accomodation. With another baby on the way, it sounds like you might need the space anyway?
Best of luck!
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