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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

AIBU about my lodger

189 replies

WH1SKERS · 20/04/2020 22:12

I’ve had a lodger for the last two years. Just before lockdown started she moved in with her boyfriend and gave me 4 weeks notice that she was officially moving out ( that’s what’s in her contract ).

So she stopped paying rent yesterday and was supposed to be here today to collect all her things. When she went to her boyfriends she left almost everything here - her bedroom is jam packed with all her clothes and make up, food in her kitchen cupboard and the fridge, bathroom full of her toiletries, jackets and shoes in the hall, plants in the living room etc etc .

She didn’t turn up. When I messaged her she replied that she can’t come to collect her things because of lockdown and she will come at another time when lockdown is over.

I pointed out that she is the one who has chosen to move out during lockdown. And she can’t just leave her stuff here, keep my house keys and pay no rent. And that moving your things out at the end of a tenancy is an essential journey, because she has no right to leave it here.

She has refused to come for it.

She says IABU because the new lodger doesn’t move in until June . But I was hoping to redecorate her room and buy some new furniture (because she has broken it ).

Besides I don’t think that’s really the point. It’s not my job to store her stuff for free.

AIBU?

What should I do ? How long should I give her to collect her belongings ?

OP posts:

thecatsarecrazy · 21/04/2020 17:27

Tell the cheeky cow she must come and collect or it's going out on the kerb for the bin men

Original poster

WH1SKERS · 21/04/2020 21:21

I’d love to put it out for the bin men but I’m afraid that would not be seen as reasonable by any court. Also it’s WAY too much for the wheelie bin .

OP posts:

SharonasCorona · 21/04/2020 21:27

Given she’s also broken your furniture, I would bag it all up and tell her it will be on the driveway on Saturday 25 April. If not collected by Saturday you will take it all to the tip on Sunday 26 April.

The lockdown is expected to go into June for many.

I wouldn’t want her crap in my house rent free for God knows how many more weeks.!

Canyousewcushions · 21/04/2020 21:28

yanbu- she should be paying rent if the room is still full of her stuff.

I'd formally write to give her a deadline in a weeks' time to move it out before you dispose of it if she's not paying rent.

Ernieshere · 21/04/2020 21:29

Have you got a shed? Throw it in there.

ivykaty44 · 21/04/2020 21:36

Yesterday 23:10 Collaborate You are giving advice for a tenant and not a lodger

ivykaty44 · 21/04/2020 21:39

I’d let her know you’ll be putting her stuff in storage and there will be a fee to retreaded the belongs, either she comes and collect the items with 7 days otherwise the licks will be changed and storage contains hired. Entirely her choice as to which she would like to do

Queenoftheashes · 21/04/2020 21:53

Just send the letter and say you’re going to sell it. She’ll turn up quick enough.

Original poster

WH1SKERS · 22/04/2020 14:52

Thank you everyone for your comments.

I have taken legal advice and acted upon it. Ive exchanged emails with the ex lodger and so far she is being fairly reasonable. Although we have not yet reached agreement, I’m fairly sure that we will.

She’s not a bad person, just immature, messy and a bit entitled. She clearly though that I wouldn’t re let the room for some months, so she had plenty time to work out if she wanted to move in with her boyfriend long term ( shes a beautician so she’s furloughed until the end of June).

OP posts:

Clearaschristal · 22/04/2020 17:41

I'd get it all out in bags and boxes and tell her it's outside till the weekend if she wants to collect it. If she doesnt get it, bin it!!

Shona52 · 22/04/2020 17:49

YANBU. If her stuff is there she has not moved out therefore needs to pay rent. Advise she needs to collect or storage fees apply

pokemongrief · 22/04/2020 17:55

Never dispose of someone else's property or leave it somewhere it can be stolen or damaged. If she won't come pack it up and store it safely. Change the locks. Inform her she must pay storage and you will take it out of her deposit.

funnylittlefloozie · 22/04/2020 18:01

Im glad you're getting it sorted. I would have put everything, including clothes, makeup and damaged furniture, in the shed. I would have bought a nice new padlock for the shed door to show willing, though

Mummyoflittledragon · 22/04/2020 18:04

Good. If she’s furloughed, she can give you 80% of the rent.

user1472151176 · 22/04/2020 18:04

I wouldn't box it or take it to her house. Why should you do all the leg work? If someone packed all my things when I wanted to move I'd be well chuffed. There has to be another solution which doesn't involve you breaking your back. She definitely needs to get it all moved. Maybe check with citizens advice about your rights. Unless she's in the 12 week lockdown due to vulnerability she should definitely be collecting her stuff and giving back your keys.

allanaw929 · 22/04/2020 18:04

I think everyone is in agreement, best thing would be an email telling her that she has 7 days to collect her stuff (as she is no longer a paid tenant - you're no longer under any obligation to store it) at which time it will be left outside for the bin men. I'm not 100% sure if you even have to give her 7 days but under the circumstances I would, after that if it's gone it's her loss, she should have paid the rent! You're definitely not being unreasonable.

RoisinXena · 22/04/2020 18:06

Then she should pay storage fees. She is not being mean, moving premises is an 'essential' activity. She was a lodger not a tenant and she has stopped paying but still occupying the room by leaving her stuff in there.
I would change the locks and if she did want to come and collect her items, do not leave the house unattended. She could do anything.

Mikki77 · 22/04/2020 18:08

Tell her you are bagging her stuff up and it will be left at the front of your house on Saturday morning. Then change the locks.

DanceItOut · 22/04/2020 18:14

I believe you need to give her reasonable notice to collect her belongs stating your intention to dispose of them if they are not collected. I believe this is 21 days. So if I were you I would message her and say that she has 21 days to remove her belongings before you dispose of them and you will be seeking financial compensation from her for the extra rent for the time that her belongings are being kept there since she has not returned the keys not moved out her stuff.

mylifestory · 22/04/2020 18:15

Shove her stuff in bin bags asap. Tell her it is packed and ready to collect and u can leave it outside when u know she is coming. After 1 week storage will be charged as u need to move it from her room in order to do major works there and around the house blah. I am a landlord so know how to very tactfully deal with tenants. Send any communication by e-mail. Ask her which she wd like to choose, collecting her stuff within 7 days, paying storage or leaving it outside.

IHaveAMagicBean · 22/04/2020 18:21

Would you consider putting all her crap into a storage unit, paying for two or three weeks then telling her you will give her the address and key once she pays you for the two weeks that you paid up front?

At least it gets it all out of your way and you’re no longer responsible for it.

Ferret27 · 22/04/2020 18:25

Keep us posted ..

Buffs · 22/04/2020 18:31

Yanbu

safariboot · 22/04/2020 18:35

YANBU.

But OP, be aware that you have legal responsibilities as an "involuntary bailee". You can't just do what you like with someone else's stuff! There is a process you need to follow, which includes contacting the owner in writing and taking good care of their property. Read up on the law. If you don't follow the process, your lodger could sue you for the value of their property.

Your lodger may well argue that in current circumstances it's not reasonable for them to collect their items until after coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Ask yourself if you want to end up with a court case to defend over this.

If a written lodger agreement has terms about the lodger leaving stuff behind, that may take effect instead.

DoAllMeerkatsComeFromRussia · 22/04/2020 18:38

I'm a bit on the fence on this one. I totally see your point of view and she should have looked ahead of herself and taken much more of her stuff with her in the first place, plus moved everything else into one place and out of the communal parts of your home. However, now she hasn't done that she's a bit stuck. If it was me I'd be really anxious driving 4 hours in the current situation in case I got stopped by the police and told it was a non essential journey. Also if she's paranoid about covid-19 she may be completely self isolating and be frightened to leave.
I'd be so apologetic to you though and would be perfectly happy for you to dump my stuff out the way in a garage or shed etc if you needed to redecorate. Plus I'd offer to pay extra for it to be there. Even if I was struggling and couldn't pay much I'd offer something because I'd recognise it was my own poor planning that led to the situation..

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