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Original poster

Unwanted lodger I need advice

153 replies

EachandEveryone · 09/09/2019 16:26

I wrote afew weeks ago about my lodger. I am a tenant in a 3 bedded flat I’ve lived here for 23 years in London with a rent that hardly increases. Originally three were on the contract now it’s just me. If someone moves in and wants to be here long term then they go on the contract. If not they just pay a third of the rent and leave with a months notice. I don’t make any money from this and it’s worked out well for 23 years (my own property is up north) my landlord knows and isn’t interested we don’t involve each other as I maintain the flat and she does the big jobs like new windows etc.

Someone moved in four months ago I never knew at the time she has PTSD and other MH issues she’s lived in London awhile but is from Russia. She was fine at first then she lost her job then she would scream if we shut any door no matter how quietly and she literally goes purple with rage. I asked her to leave but she put the rent in as normal so yesterday when it happened again at 2pm on a Sunday she was screaming in my flat mates face saying she’s not well and we are disrespectful I waited for it to die down and emphasised that she has to go in three weeks. And that she has no other rights.

Now she’s sent me a nicey nicey text asking me to answer these questions. I’ve enclosed it. What do you think she is up to? I don’t want to give her any details. I know she is under the new gp and is on meds but do I really need to give her this information when I’ve asked her to leave?

Unwanted lodger I need advice
OP posts:
Willow2017 · 10/09/2019 20:55

Pencils
She demanded proof from op for her claim as a tenant. She is not a tenant.
Op cannot give details of her tenancy (as it doesnt exist) as this would put her in an awkward position herself.

Lodger needs to go to cab to get advice on claiming as a lodger then as tenant in her new accommodation.

MzHz · 10/09/2019 21:45

There is no need to be sympathetic to a screaming banshee who has terrorised op and her other flat sharer

This woman needs to go

Is she was serious about needing help/assistance, she would be better of asking nicely and not behaving so badly

Op isn’t her mother.

PencilsInSpace · 10/09/2019 21:59

The questions in the OP's screenshot are standard questions from the UC 'to do list' to confirm housing costs.They're not asking for proof she is a tenant they're asking for details of her landlord and her rent. Lodgers have landlords and pay rent, and are entitled to claim UC housing costs in exactly the same way as tenants. And they are still lodgers with bugger all housing rights.

The lodger was demanding a rental agreement not a tenancy agreement. These are not the same. Lodgers can have written rental agreements (although they are not legally entitled to one) but this does not make them tenants.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Property Property legal advice
Thymejuice · 10/09/2019 22:10

Are you sure she's a lodger and not a tenant? Have you created a legal tenancy (this can be done verbally)? I think you need to be sure you can prove she's a lodger (or hope she can't claim she's a tenant). If she's considered a tenant, you'll have to go through the legal eviction process. You can't just ask her to leave. Who's paying the council tax? Other bills? Split between all of you or just you paying? In case she's a tenant, did she pay a deposit, and if so who to - you, or your landlord? Was it protected? Is your other flatmate a tenant or a lodger?

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 10/09/2019 22:58

No shes not on any of the bills, all in my name. I prefer it that way and no one has ever asked to be on the bills 🙂 shes not here my other flat mate said she was in today asking for her second name and wouldnt say why 🤔.

OP posts:
Thymejuice · 10/09/2019 23:21

Sounds like she's made a benefits claim and DWP think your flatmate is part of her household. As she's just a lodger, ask her to leave. Put it in writing to cover yourself. If the DWP contact you, tell them the truth, she's a lodger but you've asked her to leave. She obviously needs help with her mental health. I wonder if contacting social services is worth a go? Tell them she's your lodger but you've had to ask her to leave - and you're concerned for her welfare.

PencilsInSpace · 10/09/2019 23:32

There is no way for her to create a legal tenancy because she is living in her landlord's home and presumably sharing some facilities (e.g. kitchen, bathroom, lounge) she is therefore an excluded occupier.

She's probably asking for your flatmate's full name because the question asking for 'full names of all tenants' has confused her. It's only relevant to people with joint tenancies which she doesn't have.

DWP think nothing, they're just asking for the basic details to process her claim for housing costs.

Have you given her notice? What time did you say she had to be gone by?

thecatneuterer · 11/09/2019 00:30

@Thymejuice She is a lodger as she is subletting from the OP and, crucially, the OP lives in the same property. She is therefore a lodger and could never be anything else - regardless of any contracts, paperwork or anything else. She is a lodger (and not for much longer:) )

Thymejuice · 11/09/2019 01:17

Sorry OP for any for any confusion. Hope you can get this sorted without too much further stress (I also hope that she gets the help she needs for her mental health).

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 11/09/2019 10:23

She said she’s getting the help but who knows. No sign of anyone.

OP posts:
thecatneuterer · 11/09/2019 10:28

Do you mean help to move?

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 11/09/2019 10:54

No with her MH she’s been in hospital in Russia before. She said the Gp has sent her for scans and bloods. This was last time when I gave her a chance as she seemed to be doing something. Then she lost two jobs in a row and that’s when it started again, the weed etc

OP posts:
mankyfourthtoe · 11/09/2019 11:08

So when are you evicting her

MzHz · 11/09/2019 13:15

Exactly this ^

When is she going?

You’ve given her notice
She’s ignored it
She’s ranting and screaming

SHE HAS NO SUBSTANTIVE RIGHTS

She’s abusing drugs, and you and the other flatmate, why are you just allowing this!?

Tell her she has 24 hours to go

Mean it.
Call the police if need be and make sure she exits the building- with or without her stuff.

Then change the locks

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 11/09/2019 13:29

I feel sick.

She came back and said she needs me to write that letter saying how much she pays or else she will be destitute. I said i will but in it i will say she is leaving on two weeks (which is what she has left from the rent) but she started saying please dont do that Im not well and will end up homeless I said I have to I cant live like this walking on egg shells. She then lost it and said its a hate crime and i will be arrested. She then started going on about the other flatmate who bangs about and also smokes weed. My elderly neighbour came out and tried to calm her down and also started to say about the weed. Ive told them both I cant stand the weed smoking I know its outside but it blows back in. I hate it and so does my neighbour.

Anyway, i know you all think Im weak. I just cant put anyone on the streets. Theres a lady just like her that sleeps every night at the tube station and i cant be responsible for that. I dont know what to do should I write the letter? Is there anywhere she can contact re housing? Imout walking at the moment I need some air.

OP posts:
Foslady · 11/09/2019 13:32

Call the police - this is intimidation

LIZS · 11/09/2019 13:35

Of course she can go to council, especially if you send her a text/email terminating her room occupation. Assuming she has right to reside in .u.k. If she has mh issues there are charities which will help her. Why are you so scared of her? She is playing you.

thecatneuterer · 11/09/2019 13:38

Oh God. Don't give her two weeks! You've already given her notice. Get her out today or tomorrow and give her back the overpaid rent. It's not your problem (well it is at the minute but it won't be). She won't leave voluntarily in two weeks either. You have to get her out.

You can't live like that and you can't feel responsible or guilty. Just get her out. Tomorrow at the latest. Call the Police if she won't go.

MzHz · 11/09/2019 13:40

Come on! She won’t get help if you keep enabling this!

Meanwhile you have to suffer her rages and outbursts

You have her a chance, many chances and she has ignored them. She has 2 weeks left ON THE CONDITION that she behaves, she hasn’t. She has to go

Write her a letter to tell her that she is being evicted with 24 hours notice and that she will need to find somewhere else

She can take that letter to the council and ask them to help her find accommodation

Or she could go back to Russia.

You don’t have to put up with the intimidation, the laws here are clear and we’re made specifically to protect people in their homes from people who terrorise them.

MzHz · 11/09/2019 13:42

Good idea to give back her rent, it’s help her get something temporarily while she gets herself sorted

Original poster
EachandEveryone · 11/09/2019 13:44

She kept saying why just me and not the other? What does she mean hate crime against the mentallt ill?im a nurse ffs

OP posts:
MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 11/09/2019 13:45

Call the police and have her removed.

You are not putting her on the streets, her own behaviour is. Besides, if she goes to the council they'll help her but not if she's got your roof over her head.

thecatneuterer · 11/09/2019 13:46

The answer is 'because you are horrible to live with'. Hate crime my arse. Call the Police.

MzHz · 11/09/2019 13:47

She honestly is playing you.

Think about it. Her “issues” coincide with you wanting her gone or her not wanting to do something you want her to do.

MilkTwoSugarsThanks · 11/09/2019 13:50

What does she mean hate crime against the mentally ill?

She means she's heard an expression being bandied about recently that seems to bother some people and is hoping that by using it on you you'll back down.

No-one should have to put up with abuse and violence for any reason, even if the perpetrator "can't help it".