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Original poster

To switch off my Lodger's internet access

39 replies

TheGodmother · 14/04/2019 19:21

I've had Lodger's for years, good ones bad ones but never ever have I had one not pay on time.

I felt really sorry for my latest lodger, seemed a genuinely nice middle aged man, moving to the area after splitting with his partner, to be nearer his daughter. I throughly checked all his references and they were spot on. Met his elderly partner and his lovely daughter.

He didn't have enough money for a months deposit, I fact he had no money at all and was borrowing off his daughter to pay they rent weekly until he started his job. I agreed he could pay me weekly with no deposit.

He's been here 6 weeks and gone through 3 jobs. I didn't check last 2 weeks rent until today and he has paid last week but not the week before. Coincidentally the week he'd walked out of another job.

I phoned him immediately and he denies knowing that the DD hadn't been paid and said he has no money at the moment. I said well I now have no money either and have 3 kids to feed! He's promised to pay £200 on Friday.

I've not spoken to him face to face yet but what I'm asking is would it be petty to change the WiFi password? Why the hell should he be using that when he currently owes me £100.

I'm too angry to speak to him face to face and am tempted to message his daughter but she's lovely and don't want to upset her.

OP posts:
CastleCrasher · 14/04/2019 19:24

If you want to keep him on and he's using the internet for job searching, it's maybe a bit self defeating, but to be honest he sounds like a waster that you'd be better getting rid of!

aweedropofsancerre · 14/04/2019 19:25

sorry but he isnt paying his rent its time to ask him to leave....you dont owe him anything and he isnt reliable

ScreamScreamIceCream · 14/04/2019 19:26

Give him notice and find a new lodger.

Leave the internet on as it makes it easier for him to find a place to move to.

And next time make sure the lodger pays a deposit.

Original poster
TheGodmother · 14/04/2019 19:26

He's since got a new job which he loves (for now) so doesn't "need" to go on the internet as such. I'm away Easter weekend so if he doesn't pay he can't stay there rent free! So am I best to get rid today?

Really stuck on what do do and annoyed that someone has taken advantage of my good nature.

If he leaves today it will take me a good few weeks to get another lodger! And it's money I need! Oooooo my head is in a whirl.

OP posts:
regmover · 14/04/2019 19:27

Personally I'd give him a week's notice. Don't message his daughter, he's an adult.

SnowyAlpsandPeaks · 14/04/2019 19:27

I agree if he’s using the internet for job search, internet banking, contacting his daughter etc (I have no credit on my phone just talk to everyone through wi-fi, messenger, iMessage etc) then changing it puts him in a more difficult position.
Why has he gone through so many jobs in so little time? That’s worrying.

Original poster
TheGodmother · 14/04/2019 19:28

I won't give him a weeks notice! He's already behind in his rent! I'll ask him to leave tonight/tomorrow!

OP posts:
Expressedways · 14/04/2019 19:28

I think you’re under-reacting. Forget the WiFi, cut your losses and ask him to move out. You’re not a charity and it sounds like you need the money. And next time only let to someone who has reliable income.

Hahaha88 · 14/04/2019 19:28

Yes you would BU to do that and more importantly it might cause unease in the house which is surely the last thing you want with kid's there too.
I'd simply advise him if the rent isn't it paid on Friday then you'll be asking for your key back and he will need to find somewhere else to live from Saturday. You've taken him on with no deposit and weekly rent payments as a gogw. He needs to respect that. And who goes through 3 jobs in 6 weeks???

DeeCeeCherry · 14/04/2019 19:29

I would turnoff the wi-fi and give him notice to leave. I wouldnt want to get involved in whatever his issues are or his daughter and partner being lovely etc.

You don't know this man. You have a business arrangement and it's not working out. Thats it.

Whenever I see lodger problem posts on MN its always women who have male lodgers...

Take in women lodgers only. Its best. Its to be hoped they dont have a pisstaking boyfriend around who thinks he can move in too/stay round 3 nights a week tho..

Some men think women are a soft touch and act accordingly

NoBaggyPants · 14/04/2019 19:30

Either give him notice or wait until he gets paid on Friday.

Cutting off the WiFi is creating trouble when you really don't need to. And he'll still be in your home. You're setting yourself up for nastiness.

Fairenuff · 14/04/2019 19:30

Yes ask him to pay the rent owed or leave.

Original poster
TheGodmother · 14/04/2019 19:31

Omg no!! Woman lodgers are the worse!

Sorry let me rephrase that, the ones I have had anyway!

Don't worry about me! Nobody takes the piss out of me! I was actually wondering if I was being a bit harsh!!

But from this thread I assume not!!

OP posts:
bridgetreilly · 14/04/2019 19:31

Don't turn off the wifi. It's petty and simply escalates bad feeling. You do need to decide when to evict him, however. I'd give him until the end of this week's rent period (Friday?), personally, so that you have the room empty and ready for a new lodger immediately after Easter.

NoBaggyPants · 14/04/2019 19:33

Nobody takes the piss out of me!

They have been since you let them move in with no deposit.

brizzlemint · 14/04/2019 19:33

Give him notice, it's not working for you.

Original poster
TheGodmother · 14/04/2019 19:34

No if I evict him it will today/tomorrow. He is a week behind, he didn't give me the courtesy of paying I won't give him the courtesy of a weeks notice!

OP posts:
Dana28 · 14/04/2019 19:34

Just googled this and you need To give him reasonable notice which is usually a rent period

SparklyLeprechaun · 14/04/2019 19:34

It could genuinely be a misunderstanding, he thought his DD would pay, she thought he would, who knows? I'd tell him you need the money now, not on Friday, if he has to get it off his DD then so be it.

AndIWon · 14/04/2019 19:34

Well just ask him to leave then

NoBaggyPants · 14/04/2019 19:35

He is a week behind, he didn't give me the courtesy of paying I won't give him the courtesy of a weeks notice!

You don't have a choice. He has legal rights, even if he hasn't paid the rent.

Original poster
TheGodmother · 14/04/2019 19:37

@SparklyLeprechaun fab idea!

I'll do that! I'm a bit calmer now, so will go to his room and chat to him.

Thanks for all the advice. "I need the £100 today or you leave tomorrow."

Can't be fairer than that!

OP posts:
Ncasouting19 · 14/04/2019 19:39

I would wait till his has paid his dues then give him a choice... he comes up with deposit and is on a final warning or he is out.

NoBaggyPants · 14/04/2019 19:41

Thanks for all the advice. "I need the £100 today or you leave tomorrow."

But he won't be obliged to leave for at least a week.

Expressedways · 14/04/2019 19:44

Thanks for all the advice. "I need the £100 today or you leave tomorrow."
Can't be fairer than that
Well yes you can, you are legally required to give reasonable notice and ‘tomorrow’ isn’t reasonable. Otherwise your plan is good but just tell him to be out by the end of the week if he’s supposed to pay weekly.

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