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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Renting a room and landlord says no guests

114 replies

Beautywithalittleugly · 21/05/2018 01:12

I've been renting a room for three months now, today landlord asks for house meeting. He told me no one can stay over for the night not even DP or family. When I took the room I said I would have DP and family staying at times, he said it's fine. Now it's no one can stay they can only visit in the daytime.
I've been asking for a contract since I've moved in but I still don't have one.
AIBU to expect hime to stick to his word?
Also, when DP has stayed over there is no noise and we are completely respectful of everyone else in the house. Other house mates are up in arms about this.
I'm so frustrated I had to drop a few lines.

OP posts:
LoniceraJaponica · 21/05/2018 07:48

"Oh, I thought OP meant she would drop the LL a few lines - ie write him a letter."

So did I until I saw another poster mention it. But it looks like I am wrong. Please accept my apologies.

MrsCrabbyTree · 21/05/2018 07:49

Hmmm, I took the quips about drugs that the replying poster was being funny. Hope so, as I had a little laugh.

Oysterbabe · 21/05/2018 08:01

I'm pretty sure she meant she'd write him a note, I was just being a dick Grin

GinandGingerBeer · 21/05/2018 08:13

Christ alive, people were JOKING about the lines. Have you all had a sense of humour bypass?

HarryLovesDraco · 21/05/2018 08:17

Tenants living as lodgers with live in landlords don't usually have contracts, and they are inherently vulnerable as the landlord can evict them at very short notice.
It's quite common for live in landlords to restrict overnight guests. My last lodger started taking the absolute piss and had her boyfriend over 5 nights a week. If she had offered to pay extra I wouldn't have minded but 2 people is more expense, more mess and more intrusion than one.
Your landlord was very unreasonable to agree before you moved in then change the terms.

HarryLovesDraco · 21/05/2018 08:18

It's illegal not to have a contract. If you've paid a deposit, it's illegal not to have that deposit lodged with a deposit security scheme

Not with a live in landlord!

LoniceraJaponica · 21/05/2018 08:18

No. I'm just really naive about drugs. I Don't know anyone who takes drugs.

Roussette · 21/05/2018 08:22

Didn't know that Harry !

adaline · 21/05/2018 08:22

It's illegal not to have a contract. If you've paid a deposit, it's illegal not to have that deposit lodged with a deposit security scheme.

That's not true if you're renting a room in someone's home and live with your LL. If you're a lodger in someone's house you have very little rights and the homeowner can have whatever house rules they please.

I would be looking for somewhere else to live OP. Can you not live with family or DP? Or are you renting to be closer to work?

Roussette · 21/05/2018 08:23

Ditto adaline !

Original poster
Beautywithalittleugly · 21/05/2018 12:23

Grin I just realised how drop a few lines may have been interpreted. No drug taking for me.
I am going to start looking for somewhere else to live tho. I can't understand why he can have girlfriend and family staying but we can't. I'm just disappointed I have to search for somewhere else when I felt settled.
As far as the contract, I should have pushed for it instead of waiting.
Thanks for the comments and making me laugh (drugs)

OP posts:
MiggeldyHiggins · 21/05/2018 12:26

I can't understand why he can have girlfriend and family staying but we can't

Is it his house?

adaline · 21/05/2018 12:36

I can't understand why he can have girlfriend and family staying but we can't.

Because it's his house?

HarryLovesDraco · 21/05/2018 12:53

A tenancy agreement in your own home is completely different to renting a room in the owner's house.
You won't get a tenancy agreement under the second category. You will probably have expectations that are different to the way the landlord lives.
If you find your own tenancy you are taking on a legal and financial responsibility and have much more freedom. If you rent a room in someone's house they have the legal and financial responsibility, but you have less freedom.

ivykaty44 · 21/05/2018 13:25

When I have lodgers then they follow the house rules. If a visitor travels from afar then there is a travel lodger or b&b nearby - no over night guests, there are reasons for this. If the lodger doesn’t like this then they are free to move and don’t have to give notice... rent is always in advance on a weekly basis.

The main issue I have is with house insurance, my insurance company know if and when I have lodgers but I’m not covered for other people

TheCraicDealer · 21/05/2018 13:29

So you're living in a house with your landlord and at least two other tenants (your refer to them in the plural)? That's four adults, each with their own friends and family all traipsing in, which creates the potential for a lot of footfall, disruption and use of the facilities. Tbh I can see why he's put the clampers on it and he's perfectly entitled to do so. It must be pretty weird coming down to your kitchen or heading to the bathroom whatever and seeing a stranger, and with three unrelated adults knocking about there's a lot of potential for that. Even if you had a contract there's no guarantee it would cover off visitors. The thing about lodging is that it's usually much cheaper and offers great flexibility, but the trade-off is the fact that it's always going to be someone else's house.

If I were you I would act jointly with the other housemates and either say that "this isn't what we agreed, we'd like a review of the rent to reflect the change in circumstances". However, he may well just call your bluff and re-let the rooms. Why don't you and your housemates look for something to rent yourselves where you can have more freedom to have who you want round and when?

FortyFeet · 21/05/2018 13:30

Don't forget to call 101 and log it as he's probably on a tax dodge.

AjasLipstick · 21/05/2018 13:46

Oh bless you OP. You can't expect him to allow you all to have your partners! It's his home

MiggeldyHiggins · 21/05/2018 14:23

The main issue I have is with house insurance, my insurance company know if and when I have lodgers but I’m not covered for other people

Thats nonsense though. In what way are you "not covered" for visitors to your home, and in what way does that make any difference?

Original poster
Beautywithalittleugly · 21/05/2018 15:50

I understand that there are many other people if DPs or family were allowed to stay but to be fair he has seen my DP once in all the time he has been coming. The other two have just had friends over. The fact of the matter is, if he said we can't from the start I wouldn't have took the room.
In terms of bumbing into them at bathroom/kitchen isn't it the same in the daytime?
My housemates and I are discussing the likelihood of renting a house instead.

OP posts:
Bombardier25966 · 21/05/2018 16:00

Don't forget to call 101 and log it as he's probably on a tax dodge.

What do you suggest the police will do? Are you serious?

He's probably letting the rooms under the rent a room scheme, so not a tax dodge.

dynevoran · 21/05/2018 16:08

101 isn't the correct number to report suspected tax evasion, the number is 0800 788 887.

ivykaty44 · 21/05/2018 16:11

Higgins - there not my visitors and that’s what my insurance company stated. Who do you insure with that allows lodgers visitors?

Furano · 21/05/2018 16:16

Don't forget to call 101 and log it as he's probably on a tax dodge.

LOL - 101 tax dodge alert

You can earn up to £7,400 tax free income from lodgers under the rent a room scheme. So probably not on a tax dodge as its hardly worth it!

Furano · 21/05/2018 16:18

I can't understand why he can have girlfriend and family staying but we can't.

Because it is his house, and as a lodger you have very few rights.

The fact of the matter is, if he said we can't from the start I wouldn't have took the room

Yeah, thats annoying.

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