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.

No it won’t be chasing her

You said she said something like “if only somewhere for my bike”

You have already kicked yourself once for sending her to view the other place. If you can do something about the bike then offer that now OP

Hope you've contacted her, fingers crossed for you.

Someone reported this thread @MeanMrMustardSeed?! People can be strange!

Fingers crossed she comes. That would be a perfect result.

Yes i was never asking for money. I feel bad enough collecting my free Easter egg from M and S today. They tried to get me to jump the queue in Aldi I dont know how they knew i was NHS. I said no because i felt bad there were fifty peopke behind me.

She said yes! Said she was pleased i spoke to the neighbour. Said the other house was cheaper but it was with seven people. I sent her a picture of our park which is perfect for running. Shes a dietitian so i best eat my Magnums tonight.

Oh that’s great news OP

I think she liked you yesterday but was maybe unsure why you were encouraging her to see the other place

If she was added on to your tenancy agreement, if it's an AST you will likely have 'joint and severable liability' for the rent, which ultimately means every tenant agrees to be jointly or individually liable for the full amount of rent. Her going means the full amount still has to be paid.

If you have arranged the sublet (important to note this is relevant if her rent is paid to you and you then pay the landlord), even with the agreement of the landlord, you are ultimately the subtenant's de facto landlord - you've become what is known as the mesne tenant. The tenancy agreement for full amount on your original contract still sits with you.

Personally, I'd speak to your landlord and be upfront, but would also have a frank discussion with the subtenant and say if she's not planning on coming back then she needs to give notice. You can't just walk away from a legal contract with no repercussions. Has she got a guarantor/deposit? If so, use the deposit to make up the deficit, or speak to the guarantor about payment if she isn't able or willing.

YAYYYY!

I'd love a snickers ice cream bar right now, jealous of your magnums :)

I dont know why i did and i dont really know if it was the place she saw before or after me. Anyway thank goodness it all ended well.

She moves in tomorrow should we practice distancing and is there anything else? I will be on 12 hour shifts the next two days after shall i ask her to wipe door handles or shall i just do that before I go to bed?

I don’t know what you should do when someone is moving in. Will you be classed as one household? But presumably you’d want to keep distance for 14 days just in case.

Personally I’d be wiping down everything and hope she is hygiene conscious too.

Yes she seems to be. We are so close to the neighbours its like we are the same household practically Im forever getting the dettol out for the bannisters and door.

Sounds like you’re doing all the right things!

I’m pleased for you OP. You sound like a good match and will hopefully become good friends

Yes and at least i know from the start it might only be for three months it makes a massive difference mentally.

Brilliant news!