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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To want to move

140 replies

oregon1985 · 07/03/2017 12:32

Renting a room. Live in Landlord is super creepy. Extremely germaphobic I'm guessing, gives me regular talks on how to clean (I'm a clean person I know how to do it) tells me to tell my visitors how they should be using the toilet (men have to sit down apparently) and how they should wash their hands, that's weird right?
He hangs around outside my room and waits for me to come out and always has something else to show me how to do (the other day was how to do the washing up). He also just stands outside my room at night, it's very odd. In fairly sure he goes in my room when I'm out even though I lock it.

And all of this I can put up with, but twice now he has locked me IN the house. I can't leave, I'm on the top floor so I can't even hop out of a window. I have places I need to be and I do not like the thought of being locked in somewhere!!

I need to move but without my deposit back I can't afford it. He won't give it back I don't think because I haven't been here long enough (he says have to be here 4 months, I've been here two weeks, that's how much I hate it) he hasn't put it in a deposit scheme as he said it's an advance payment that will be given back at the end of did my stay after 4 months. I never signed anything jut said 'ok' in an email. I'm screwed aren't I?

OP posts:

Original poster

oregon1985 · 07/03/2017 13:04

It's not the lock, it's a standard lock, like the big square ones, it works absolutely fine when he's home.

OP posts:

Chloe1984 · 07/03/2017 13:06

Can you take a photo of the lock, or find a similar one on google images and post the link?

AndShesGone · 07/03/2017 13:08

If you've lost your job how are you going to continue to pay rent?

ijustwannadance · 07/03/2017 13:09

Are there any local hostels or shelters nearby op? Can he get in your room while you're in there?

ijustwannadance · 07/03/2017 13:10

Can you tell the council you're homeless/jobless etc?

Original poster

oregon1985 · 07/03/2017 13:14

Because my student loan covers my rent mostly. I work to top it up. This is the lock

OP posts:

Twopeapods · 07/03/2017 13:15

Do you have a lock on the inside of your bedroom door? I wouldn't feel safe and I think you need to get out asap. Can a friend come round and be there while you talk to him? As a kind of witness/support?
I would tell him that you don't feel safe and since the money has not been put into a deposit scheme and you have no contract then you need it back. And threaten to call the police for holding you against your will. Hopefully he will get a fright and give you it back. Otherwise see CAB.

Original poster

oregon1985 · 07/03/2017 13:16

I'm still locked in, he hasn't come back. If there was a fire I wouldn't be able to get out.

OP posts:

Morphene · 07/03/2017 13:19

Oh dear this all sounds very stressful!

Have you asked him to explain how you can get out when he is out?

Youdosomething · 07/03/2017 13:20

Have you let your parents or uni know about this. student services would help you.

AndShesGone · 07/03/2017 13:21

What has he said when you've told him you're locked in ?

Original poster

oregon1985 · 07/03/2017 13:21

I'm nearly 30 if I had parents I don't think they'd be much help. I'm also doing my masters so it's not really a uni issue.

OP posts:

Dragongirl10 · 07/03/2017 13:22

Op I am a landlady, as you are a lodger he has no obligation to put your deposit in a deposit protection sceme as others have said, but locking you in against your will is an offence so simply call the police next time.

This is seriously scary.

When they come tell them your situation and ask for help.

Your instinct is probably right and you need to go asap, call Shelter they will tell you your options.

Do not wait it out. good luck

fuzzyfozzy · 07/03/2017 13:22

Has he double locked it from outside I wonder.

Original poster

oregon1985 · 07/03/2017 13:23

He doesn't have a mobile, I can't get hold of him.

OP posts:

Singinghollybob · 07/03/2017 13:23

If you're worried about now and you can't get out you need to call the police to tell them you're locked in against your will

Original poster

oregon1985 · 07/03/2017 13:25

I really do not want to call the police about this, I know it sounds stupid and I'll probably get shouts at about it but I find it extremely hard to do things like that, my anxiety is horrible, I can't really talk to people. I'm going to find it hard enough to confront him about this. Which I know I have to do.

OP posts:

Mummyoflittledragon · 07/03/2017 13:25

Can you ask him to explain how to unlock the door? I'd be buying a heavy duty wedge or a door jammer, which prevents people coming in the room. You really need to leave though. Would your family help?

Original poster

oregon1985 · 07/03/2017 13:25

I don't have family

OP posts:

MaryPoppinsPenguins · 07/03/2017 13:25

This is seriously worrying, you have to leave.

19lottie82 · 07/03/2017 13:26

Have you spoken to him about being locked in the flat? It could be a misunderstanding.

I don't think you should call the police without speaking to him first.

Foureyesarebetterthantwo · 07/03/2017 13:26

OP you need to move out immediately for your own safety. He may have altered the lock deliberately, I lived with someone who did this and it was deliberate. I suspect he is locking you back in. This is beyond anything you can sort out yourself, get a friend round to help you move out and get the police involved if you have to by calling 101. I would also call student services/the union housing people and get advice.

Take this seriously, this is not normal behaviour on his part and you don't have to see it out. It could be to your advantage (in that he can't charge you missed rent) that you don't have an official contract, although you do have one of sorts. Talk to the student housing for more advice. Try not to worry about the deposit, it's better to sleep on someone's floor for a week or two than stay here.

IamFriedSpam · 07/03/2017 13:27

Go to citizens advice now. They're geared up for accurate advice and will be able to recommend option This, keep a diary of all his weirdness which you might need to use later.

Original poster

oregon1985 · 07/03/2017 13:28

I will when he gets back. The first few times I thought it was a dodgy lock but I can get out fine when he's in the house but as soon as he leaves it's impossible to open so I'm fairly sure he's locking it.

OP posts:

Foureyesarebetterthantwo · 07/03/2017 13:28

If you are doing a Masters then your uni will give you advice on housing/legal matters, they have a student's organization (guild) and you can usually go to them or student housing.

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