To want to run own fridge and freezer in house share?

[thinkingaboutfostering]

So I have recently moved into a friends house (moved 200 miles from old home). I am paying her at least the market rent if not more! Her house is a tip (think like hoarder bad) everywhere is filthy. I knew it was bad having stayed numerous times before but didn't really have much choice about moving in here because I have poor credit. We had agreed I'd rent two room from her, a lounge area and a bedroom. I also have my own bathroom. I know she is struggling financially and has asked me to be economical with electric ie not leaving lights on which is fine by me. But her fridge is filthy. The kitchen is along way from my end of the house (think longhouse) and I have been ill and have mobility issues. She has today said after discovering I have put a mini fridge on in my space, that she doesn't want me to run it but to just share her fridge to keep the electricity bills down. She also doesn't want me to run my freezer and again share theirs (which is full). Am I being unreasonable to say no I am paying you rent and keep running both my fridge and freezer?

I'm paying more than market rent for house shares not renting on my own. I won't be able to rent on my own just now until I can get deposit and even then I'm not sure I'll be able to because of poor credit (ex partner left me with mountain of debt which I've cleared but my credit rating is still terrible)

House shares rarely take pets, so why not make the best of where you are

Ivy it's not my filth to clean. I also have really rubbish immune system due to having had chemotherapy in the past year so food hygiene is really important to me.

But not important enough to warrant you cleaning a fridge.....

Sometimes you need to pick your battles.

Do you really want to risk pissing your only option off? Sounds like she has done a massive favour taking you and dog in!

I wouldn’t touch her manly fridge. Just run your own

Have you looked for another flatshare that will accept you and your dog. Are there any cancer charities that might be able to help, can you claim any benefits at all. Is it okay to have a dog with a poor immune system, just wondering about having to scoop up the poop.

Suggest that you go halves on a cleaner to give the communal areas - including the fridge - a deep clean?

No, you shouldn't have to. But presumably you knew what the place was like before you agreed to move in?

Are you having to pay extra because you are renting two rooms and have your own bathroom, most flatshare you only get one room and are lucky if you get ensuite.

How come a PP thought the woman was doing the OP a favour? That doesn't make sense at all! A favour would be charging a fair rent and providing a clean home.

Even if you are paying more than market share, what choice do you have?! You have poor credit and a pet. You're not the ideal tenant. So work out what it would cost to run and pay her that. Give yourself the time to get back on your feet without things getting acrimonious with your friend.

If the place is filthy are you not compromising your health leaving it filthy?

Hollowtalk
If your homeless and a friend takes you in when no one else will due to bad credit and dog - it’s called a favour

Exactly ivy

And the “over market rate” is a red herring really given a) I presume it is the price they both agreed and b) most house shares don’t include multiple rooms and pets!

Why should op clean it when it will get filthy again if her friend has dirty hygiene anyway?
I would continue to run your fridge freezer but offer something additional. I know you already are over paying but what are your options. Just do it until you get yourself back on track again and can leave.

I might not be ideal tenant but she wouldn't be able to rent the space to anyone else!

Ivy - yes I probably am risking my health but less than I would be if I became homeless!

I pay someone to walk the dog and clear up after her. I also am paying for a cleaner to clean my space. I have offered to have communal space cleaner too but she won't tidy up enough for the cleaners to come in.

Sirzy I am paying for both rooms!!

I'm not sure why you're posting in AIBU since you've clearly made your mind up that you aren't. Fwiw, I think you should be paying a bit extra for running additional household appliances.

Op doesn’t have to stay in this awful filth house

Paying the amount you agreed to pay!

Carry on and piss her off and you may find yourself with a big problem, all for the sake of either paying for the extra power hour using or cleaning a fridge? Could well end up cutting off your nose to spite your face!

Don’t bite the hand that keeps a roof over your head

Your credit rating will only count if you have a CCJ, bankruptcy or IVA.

Not for missing credit payments or having too much debt.

In the meantime, stand firm on your own fridge !

YANBU.

Some of these landlords enjoy behaving like they're doing you some sort of benevolent favour.

Let's remember, unlike a mortgage, you're paying them money you'll never see again, and which does nothing to secure your financial future.

As long as you're not taking the piss, I don't see the problem.

I have had a lodger before, and I think I actually made a loss in the end as I did a lot of things like buy new furniture, new bed, new mattress, better stuff for the kitchen etc etc. If my fridge/freezer had been so disgusting I'd have completely understood him making other arrangements.

You don’t really seem willing to compromise and as a lodger she holds all the power. I think you should give the communal fridge a good scrub and ask her to clear space in the freezer for you. May be a case of put up and shut up

If you saw the state of the house you wouldn't think I wasn't compromising 🙄

There is a fine line between being helped and being taken advantage of!