I've tied myself in knots and don't know if I'm being unreasonable or not now

[TheGodmother]

My lodger has a dog. Now, how long this dog is left alone is a whole other thread.

Anyway text him to say shall I take your dog out when I go for a long walk with my dog. And Larry the Lodger says yes please.

Get in his room and Larry the Lodger has left the radiator on full blast and the French window's ajar. When he goes to work, he leaves the back door open so dog can get some fresh air and relieve himself.

I realise he's left the radiator on so the dog won't be cold later on in the evening. The room is so hot with the sun on it all day, so with the radiator on too. It's just mentally hot, and dog is uncomfortable.

Larry the Lodger's room doesn't have central heating, and the room is being heated up by the radiator and going straight out the open French windows.

Am I being unreasonable to think you don't leave radiators on blasting high, when you're not in a room and especially when you have an outside door open? And it's a beautiful, hot, sunny April day!

He's gone for a 12 hour shift!

How has he left the radiator on if he doesn’t have central heating in his room?

Do you mean like an oil heater? Of course that isn’t reasonable, but it’s entirely possible he forgot.

I hate to suggest it, because I know it’s against all MN rules, but have you talked to him about it?

Are you over thing and he just forgot to turn it off who leave a radiator on for a dog anyway unless its sub zero

@rwalker
I often leave the heating on, 2 of mine are quite arthritic and love to be toasty, just a bit spoiled 😀

Yes an oil filled radiator that you switch on and off.

Oh yes we've had many talks about different things, including how many nights in a row his gf stays! We get on ok, he's just very young.

But the reason for the AIBU is before I go off on one is because to me it's total madness to leave heating on with the door open. So I started to doubt myself!

I mean who does that? Leaves heating on for a dog for 12 hours AND leaves a door open.

I'd be more concerned about security with the back door open all day! Poor dog, he ought to be paying for a dog walker during a 12 hour shift.

I'd be worried about the security. Even if you are in the house someone could just stroll in through the door. I don't think your house is suitable for this particular lodger.

Isn't the bigger issue that he's leaving the door open? Surely he's leaving your house at risk of burglary and possibly invalidating your insurance? And that he's abandoning his dog for 12+ hours?!

Yeah I've not really thought about the door being open all day. Although it's fairly safe, surrounded by huge walls and other neighbour.

As for the dog being alone all that time, it's awful, hence why I take the dog out with mine.

Anyway I've messaged Larry the Lodger and said "Just taken dog out and you've accidentally left the heating on and poor dog is roasting. Don't worry I've switched it off and dog ok".

Why has your lodger got a dog?

He's a lodger
He does 12hour shifts

Why?

If you are home can the dog not be let out his room to be with you and your dog?
I don’t think I could be home and know a dog is shut in another room.
He also needs a dog walker or daycare, please don’t make him give his dog up.

Lodgers don’t usually come with dogs. If you are there and happy to take the dog out then the rent should reflect that..

You cannot condone a dog living in your house alone for 12 hours a day

I would be having a serious meeting about the T&C of him living with you.
That is ridiculous! I'm talking about the heating, as you've asked, but so is the leaving the dog for 13 / 14 hours at a time, and so is the leaving the door open.

I am happy to have lodgers with dogs, as long as there is adequate care for them. All my other lodgers have taken them to work or dropped off at doggie day care. As did this lodger when he first came, unfortunately due to Covid he was made redundant and had to take his current job.

We did discuss the implications and he assured me that it would work out. I suggested he asked one of my kids to take the dog out when he was on a long shift etc. That hasn't happened.

I DO NOT want the added responsibility of ensuring the dog is cared for and made that clear. I am working from home at the moment and am happy to take him out when I take mine out. However this is not a long term solution as when I start to go out for work, I can't care for his dog. Mine comes with me.

But as I said that's a whole other thread!

I just wanted to make sure I wasn't being unreasonable telling him that he couldn't have the heating on for the dog, especially with the door open.

He has since text and asked if I could put the radiator back on for the dog. I've said no.

Think I'm going to have to ask him to leave. :(