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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To give notice this way as a lodger?

79 replies

BibiBlocksberg · 02/10/2015 19:22

Renting a room atm, the landlady rents main house herself from an agency & sub lets to me.

There were problems from the start, no washing facilities as machine broken, en-suite toilet broken, window can't be closed properly as is also broken.

Wasn't told about these until i put deposit down & got keys.

Two days after moving in, roadworks were put in place which mean the road my room which backs on to said road is being used as a local rat run.

It's constantly loud & busy now, short break between 3.30 & 5.30am then back to living on the M25 (effectively)

I hate it, can't sleep properly, relax etc, also, requests for updates on when the broken items will be fixed have been met with agression & a row basically as if i'm really cheeky for asking (well, ll kept telling me these items are in process of being done but then nothing happens)

Anyway, cut a long story short, i've found a much nicer place & will be movig out next friday.

Full month's rent is due today but can only give her one more weeks rent & will tell her to keep two weeks deposit she has already, effectively making it three weeks notice.

I know she will go mad as her rent is due on Monday, got to go tell her i'm going in a minute.....bricking it.

So, am i being totally unreasonable (no written agreement or anything & can't remember if notice period was verbally agreed) stupid i know, was very stressful time for me then)

OP posts:
Original poster
BibiBlocksberg · 03/10/2015 10:19

yes floggingmolly, will go with the string along option i think.

Valid points about potential lock changing etc if i give notice i'm leaving on Friday.

New landlady is aware of my predicament & has said might be possible for me to move into new place on wednesday so that's a glimmer of light at least.

Right, better go & face the music

OP posts:
wowfudge · 03/10/2015 10:23

Good luck OP

bikingintherain · 03/10/2015 10:32

Did you just give her the deposit in cash? As a normal renter you have to put it into an independent scheme, so the LL can't just get it back without real reason.

ObsidianBlackbirdMcNight · 03/10/2015 10:45

You don't have a contract do you? You don't have to give any notice. She's lucky she has had your deposit as you won't see that again. If you think she'll fuck you over then move out as planned and leave her a note...

Original poster
BibiBlocksberg · 03/10/2015 11:29

She's not in atm, damn, have to steel myself all over again....

Yes, deposit & months rent paid in cash (due to flannel about bank transfers to her account taking 4 days which is nonsense)

No contract, no receipts, so yes, agree i won't see the deposit again.

blinkin - yes, deposits have to be protected for normal renters & my new one will be but for lodgers/sub tenants there is no requirement by the LL to register.

Is it wednesday yet? :)

OP posts:
wowfudge · 03/10/2015 11:32

I feel for you Flowers Get looking on Airbnb and do a flit now!

TracyBarlow · 03/10/2015 12:01

You're a lodger. So you don't have to have a contract and you don't legally have to give her any notice.

She isn't going to give you your deposit back so I'd just say you can keep the deposit in lieu of this week's rent. If she's spent it, tough shit. Not only is she probably illegally subletting, the converted garage is unlikely to have planning permission or building regs and sounds unsuitable for human habitation, so the council would have something to say about that, should you choose to involve them. I'd vaguely threaten that if she kicks off. You're holding the cards.

I also find situations like this hopelessly cringeworthy but take a deep breath, shoulders back, and front it out.

mileend2bermondsey · 03/10/2015 12:02

OP Please, please, please do not give this woman any more money! She is not your LL, she is a chancer making money illegally, don't give her any more. You will never see the deposit which is rightfully yours again so please don't give her even more money. Stall by whatever means necessary until Friday and then just leave!

If you need an excuse: my bank card has been stolen and used and I have no access to funds as the bank has frozen the account until while they asses the charges. I'll have they money by Friday for sure! I'm trying to get my mum/friend/dog to lend me the money til then so I can pay the rent. Stall further each time she asks. Max of 3 times (Tues, Weds, Thurs).

Original poster
BibiBlocksberg · 03/10/2015 12:16

Ok, will go in with 'i have no funds at all' pls use deposit first & see what happens.

Going to go with not having been paid (other than petty cash to see me through weekend) employer has promised full payment by wednesday/friday.

Then later in the week i can extend on it (no, no more funds coming, best if i move out immediately)

I'm going to write a friggin book about my lodger experiences soon, it'd be best seller :)

OP posts:
dustarr73 · 03/10/2015 12:18

If she isnt in get most of your stuff in your car and even ask can you leave it in the new flat.Get the hell out.

Original poster
BibiBlocksberg · 03/10/2015 12:21

dustarr73 - too late, i can hear the kids screaming outside so she must be back.

Here I go again then.

OP posts:
fastdaytears · 03/10/2015 12:22

I'll buy the book!

Good luck Wine

Original poster
BibiBlocksberg · 03/10/2015 12:27

i'll hold you to that fastdaytears :)

OP posts:
DolphinsPlayground · 03/10/2015 12:41

Ugh sounds horrible situation!

Good luck!

HippyHippopotamus · 03/10/2015 12:41

Good luck!

Floggingmolly · 03/10/2015 12:52

DO NOT WEAKEN

Original poster
BibiBlocksberg · 03/10/2015 13:02

:) @ do not weaken :)

Blardy typical, all this flapping on my part & she was nice as pie.

Very strange, she's happy to use my deposit in lieu of rent pending my wages coming in, looked up jobs online for me (as non wage pmt not good sign of steady future where employer is concerned) & the agent is coming to fix the window next tuesday.

WTF??? It was like she'd been replaced with her nice twin.

OP posts:
LittleMissIntrovert · 03/10/2015 13:13

OP is there any chance she could have read this thread?

Just seems suspicious to me?

Grapejuicerocks · 03/10/2015 13:15

Ugh!

Too nice. Be wary...

FuckYouChrisAndThatHorse · 03/10/2015 13:20

She'll be nice until she's got your money.

Original poster
BibiBlocksberg · 03/10/2015 13:25

I know...wary is my middle name right now :)

Doubt she read the thread but its possible i suppose, i've never talked about MN to her but with it being a public forum & everything.

That does always go through my mind when i post anything & then i think 'fuck it, if they read it so be it, i'm not telling lies & am entitled to my opinions & to ask for advice'

Maybe she figures she won't find as big a quiet, considerate (read won't say boo to a goose) mug as i am :)

OP posts:
Original poster
BibiBlocksberg · 03/10/2015 13:28

....or what FuckYouChris just said, flies & honey @ all that :)

OP posts:
Starkswillriseagain · 03/10/2015 17:45

She might be nice now, don't expect it to last. She's proven that she's a bitch, won't take her long to show that again.I'd start packing now and stay out of her way.

LookAtAllThesePhucksIGive · 03/10/2015 18:05

Maybe she was trying to force you out? It happened to me and it sounds so similar. Even down to the ott niceness when I couldn't take anymore of the nasty behaviour and had to pluck up the courage to say I was going.

wowfudge · 03/10/2015 18:34

She's being nice as pie now because she desperately wants your money. It's also possible she's spoken to a friend while she's been out who has said she needs to get the problems fixed or you'll leave.

It'll work out OP. Let us know how it goes.

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