AIBU about my lodger

[WH1SKERS]

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 ?

If she isn't in an at risk group then there really is no reason for her to remove her belongings. Just, as you say, using the lock down as an excuse. Text her to remind her that her rent is due as she clearly hasn't moved out. Hope you get this sorted xx

Well done OP. Sounds like it's all moving in the right direction (and you'll get that room sorted out before June).

I had to drive 60 miles each way yesterday to take home DD's belongings from her university accommodation, if it wasn't removed by 1st May she would've been charged rent fir May. It is classed as an essential journey. I stayed in the car and she brought down her belongings for me to pack into the car.

@TeeniefaeTroon

I’m guessing that was Stirling ? I was wondering what was happeneing in the halls of residence / student flats.

No, Student Roost at Aberdeen uni. It was a nuisance but great to get a 'day out' 😁

Follow the instruction here, to the letter.

www.propertyinvestmentproject.co.uk/blog/my-tenant-left-belongings-in-the-property/

Lose anything and you are going end up with a huge bill.

Yanbu
Dd fortunately gave notice way before lockdown and we went and collected all of her stuff and left the room ready to let. If we hadn't she would have carried on paying rent

Your in the right and she is wrong ... if I had given my notice I would have gone out of my way to get my stuff out ... people fall in to two two camps ... those that take the puss and those who do the right thing ... it’s as simple as that ... it’s an attitude thing .... none of my landlords have ever been put out by anything I have done because I have left my accommodation in better nick than I found it ...

Oops. You are not your ,,!!!

@TeeniefaeTroon

Ah, fae Troon but no longer in Troon then

YANBU for the simple fact that it's your property and she is not paying to store her stuff and you're not a charity.

Reiterate this, make it clear her stuff needs to be collected as you need to redecorate due to her leaving the room in poor condition.

Tell her you will bag her belongs up and leave them on the driveway at a certain time, if she doesn't collect them within the hour she risks her things being stolen or going in the bin.

Tell her it's not negotiable: you are not asking her to collect her things you are TELLING her, collect them or else.

Give her notice then tell her it is all being binned and locks changed. She has no legal right to occupy your home.

@PeterWeg

Thank you for the link. But she a lodger not a tenant. And that’s not the law where I live.

Did she ever collect her belongings @WH1SKERS?