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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be thinking of taking a lodger without telling my landlord?

79 replies

MilaV · 24/04/2011 20:53

I know it sounds awful, but they're this huge agency and it was a nightmare to get the flat in the first place. Lots of checks and references needed... I don't know what they'll do if I tell them that XP and I have separated and he's moving out, and that I need to rent a room (otherwise I won't be able to pay the rent). Anyone has been in the same situation, or got a bit of advice? I'd like to be clear and up front, but I fear they will refuse and even ask to end our tenancy agreement. :(

OP posts:
mouseanon · 24/04/2011 22:22

you can give 72 hours notice then have them removed if they refuse to leave

That wasn't the case when we had lodgers although admittedly that was 10 yrs ago.

FrameyMcFrame · 24/04/2011 22:25

If you have a friend or someone you trust who could move in and would understand the situation then I'd go for it without letting them know.
To be honest most landlords and letting agencies don't care as long as the rent is paid on time and the property is kept in good condition.

I'd be wary about renting a room to a stranger in these circumstances.

HairyBeaver · 24/04/2011 22:26

OP the lone parent advisor is brillant. I recently have became a single parent and she calculated how much I get on benefits a week then how much I will be better off when I eventually find work (grrr been trying for months and seriously getting pissed off now). Turns out I will be better off working 16 hours a week. I had been applying for FT jobs bit on her calculator if I was to work FT after rent, child care etc I would only be £10 a week better off then working 16 hours. Work that one out.

Gooseberrybushes · 24/04/2011 22:29

Don't do this without telling your landlord.

Just don't.

My tenant sublet. The tenant broke the agreement, is responsible for all damage, is responsible for all the rent. You would be doing something extremely selfish and fraudulent.

Original poster
MilaV · 24/04/2011 22:30

So how does one get an appointment with a lone parent advisor?

OP posts:
Gooseberrybushes · 24/04/2011 22:30

For example, lots of checks and references needed.

The landlord cares who lives in the property. They don't want someone they don't know, without references, without checks. It's just awful of you to consider this.

EricNorthmansMistress · 24/04/2011 22:31

Yes it would be breaking the tencncy agreement but my point is that if she's planning to leave anyway it's a small risk. I'm thinking as a tenant, not a LL.

I read an article about lodgers recently, I'm sure you only have to give them 72 hours notice. As they don't have tenancy agreements there is no legal impediment to changing the locks and removing them if necessary. They can only squat if they never leave the property! I'm also pretty sure you can't squat a room in a house for which someone else has a valid tenancy agreement!

Gooseberrybushes · 24/04/2011 22:35

She's planning to leave, and possibly leave the landlord with someone unknown and unreferenced in the property who may not leave of his own volition?

It's a small risk for her, it's a big risk for the landlord. How selfish.

EricNorthmansMistress · 24/04/2011 22:35

References and checks mean squat. IMO the tenant has to live with the other person, their judgement on whether they are a good 'tenant' or not would mean far more than tenants references. I lied on mine and put my friend down as my previous LL. I put DH down as not working. There were reasons for that and I'm a very good tenant and the LLs are lucky to have us - but checks? Please. They are a way for letting agents to rip off both tenants and LLs and not worth the paper they are written on! The judgement of the person who actually has to live with the person is more meaningful by far.

Gooseberrybushes · 24/04/2011 22:37

Rubbish. Utter rubbish. I'm sure if the landlord was considering subverting the tenancy agreement she'd be pretty pissed off about that and the courts would have something to say. Act like an adult. Have a bit of responsibility.

Gooseberrybushes · 24/04/2011 22:38

"I lied on mine and put my friend down as my previous LL. I put DH down as not working."

Jeez. Me me me.

Original poster
MilaV · 24/04/2011 22:42

Gooseberrybushes come on. Call me selfish or whatever, I'm only here for advice. I already said I won't be doing it BTW (maybe you didn't read all the messages, just the one on the top?). You probably had a bad experience in the past and I feel really sorry for you if that was the case, but not everyone's the same. Just try not to insult people you don't personally know.

OP posts:
Gooseberrybushes · 24/04/2011 22:43

Well done for not doing it. Very responsible of you.

EricNorthmansMistress · 24/04/2011 22:43

Yes, me me me. Me needing a home Hmm (and MY husband and MY child) me me me needing somewhere decent to live after being shafted by our letting agent and stung for over a grand all told in fees and deductions to live in a flat for less than a year. What a selfish bitch Hmm

I lied because the previous letting agents were in a dispute with us over deposit deductions and I did not trust them to be fair. I also knew that I have never been so much as a day late with rent in 10 years of renting and I am a fantastic tenant.

The new letting agents knew that DH was working by the way - and agreed that I should leave it off the reference check, due to him being self employed for under two years.

Original poster
MilaV · 24/04/2011 22:46

:P

OP posts:
EricNorthmansMistress · 24/04/2011 22:46

Our current letting agents think we are fantastic, by the way.

I am by no means advocating being poor tenants. My parents have had terrible tenants twice and stopped renting after the second one, it was so stressful. I, however, am a good tenant, and will do what I need to do to get a home, in perfectly good conscience because I know the LLs are lucky to have us.

nijinsky · 24/04/2011 22:47

EricNorthmansMistress letting agents are not the only ones who carry out credit checks. I run my own properties without an agent and I use them. I also check previous landlord's references by phoning them up. I can sniff out when a friend has been used and I don't want someone whose previous landlord won't recommend them as a tenant. I have to say I can usually sniff out much of what you describe yourself as doing when I meet prospective tenants! The judgement of the person who has to live with them means b*** all when the lodger stops paying the rent, trashes the place or refuses to leave.

Of course, it depends on the sector of the market you are involved with and how much in need of tenants the landlord is. I generally have no voids at all, but thats because I manage them myself.

Original poster
MilaV · 24/04/2011 22:49

I kinda agree with EricNorthmansMistress, if you don't look for yourself, who will? You have to be a bit selfish in life, the thing is trying not to screw others. And nobody is 100% sincere, thinking that is just naive...

Reason I'm not doing it is to stay out of trouble, but I see no big deal in letting a room to someone, especially because I would have carefully checked them as well (even more carefully than the agency, because they would be living with me and my little daughter, so I don't want to get just someone there!). Also, my LL is not an individual, but a huge company, so yes, it'd be easy ethically.

OP posts:
Original poster
MilaV · 24/04/2011 22:51

I meant easier...

OP posts:
EricNorthmansMistress · 24/04/2011 22:52

:)
The letting agent was showing me a house which was too small. He was so impressed with me that he took me straight to see (my current) another house before the three other viewings who had called before me, because he said it sounded just what I was looking for. He later said he was clearly a good judge of character :)

I prefer not to lie but at times you have to in order to get what you need for your family. I didn't lie because I'm shifty or a bad tenant, so there wouldn't have been anything for you to sniff out with me.

HerHissyness · 24/04/2011 22:52

OK, so you are there 3m only. I assume you have a 6m Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement?

The tenant is obligated to continue to the end of that agreement regardless, that 6m is guaranteed, you could be sued, for example if you left, and tried to give notice.

If I were you, I'd get a prospective tenant/flat mate lined up, explain the situation to them, and then go and talk to the LL/Agent.

SO.... if the agent/landlord is sensible, you can talk to them and say this is what has happened, but that you have this person lined up to share with you and help you meet the rent, and that could they give you both a trial until the end of the AST. Providing they are happy, a new contract could be given to you/lodger.

In the meantime, bone up on the rights of a lodger and if the 72hour notice is applicable, make sure the agent/LL knows you can terminate this at anytime. Tell the agent that in any event, you have savings to get you through the next 3m, so the rental is assured.

The 3m will give you ALL a chance to see if this will work, and minimise risk for all of you.

If you are only working part time, you may qualify for housing benefit. Get some CAB advice.

Original poster
MilaV · 24/04/2011 22:54

sorry, what's CAB?

OP posts:
HerHissyness · 24/04/2011 22:55

Citizens Advice Bureau

Original poster
MilaV · 24/04/2011 22:56

Thanks! Guess that's what I was looking for :) I'm going to check out their website

OP posts:
HairyBeaver · 24/04/2011 22:56

OP ring the job centre. I would also apply for housing benifit and CTC as they can only say no. You should be entitled to more CTC as you're now a lone parent. Infact I would put money on the fact that you WILL be entitled to HB and CTC xx