Lodger putting house at risk of a fire

[rockchic65]

Hi I've had a lodger for 8 months for the last 2 months he's had a habit of coming home putting his food on cooking gone upstairs fell asleep and left food to burn .I have told him never to leave food unattended stay with your food
The last straw was 3 days ago he left for work while I was still in bed I woke up a hour later my fire alarm went off I ran downstairs lodger only left my pan on boil the kitchen was full of smoke and the smell was horrendous luckily I never went out as I planned
I rang him immediately shouting at him and gave him a weeks notice.he then came home from work demanding that I had to give him months notice although he pays me weekly.im at my wits end severe anxiety and scared to go out when he's home .he's even forgot to shut my front door properly again luckily my neibour rang me and told me she
Saw my door open but shut it for me I just want to him to go .is a weeks notice acceptable or do I wait a month plz help

Do you have a contract or is it a verbal agreement?

Omg op how stressful! If you can get away with 5 minutes a week notice then do it, he's a liability. I take it no contract? Get him out.

I'd maybe stretch to two weeks, just to give him time to find somewhere.

I was going to say same

Here's the CAB's advice. They seem to be erring towards 28 days but they also say you could give just a few days if he's being a major problem (which he is). The trouble is going to be getting him out when you've told him to go. https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/lodging-and-subletting/lodging-subletting/landlords-of-lodgers/if-you-want-your-lodger-to-move-out/

Edited because Google made that link really horrible!

I'd unplug* the oven until he's gone

*Or whatever the fancy technical term is !

(I am not joking either,.that's just common sense now)

Stick to the weeks notice. Obviously you would normally want to give longer, but he is genuinely dangerous to you both - it is only a matter of time before he sets your house on fire.

It depends very much if your lodger has a written contract or verbal? If it's written, what was stated as the notice period? If it was verbal, what did you tell him at the time? Unfortunately, if it's verbal, you have zero proof of any conditions. He could seek advice from the CAB, and be in his rights to stay until he's found somewhere else in a more convenient timeframe. I am no legal expert here, so have no idea. You need to seek proper advice, especially if you have given him no written contract, stating the notice period for both sides. He sounds like a nightmare, and you are within your rights to ask him to leave.

Morally I think it's fine, normally longer would be fair, but he is putting you and your house at risk, despite clear instructions.

Legally, you need to check what is in the contract.

He pays weekly so a weeks notice is perfectly acceptable. Tell him he can have a month's notice on the understanding he does not have access to the kitchen (then put a lock on the door) or a weeks notice with use of the kitchen. Then after whichever period you agree on change the locks

I wonder what's changed in the last 2 months for this behaviour to start? Has he been drinking heavily?
Regardless I think you need to get him out quick. As quick as you are legally allowed. If that's a week then so be it. Make sure you put it in writing to him.

There's no contract just verbal .when he first moved in I told him he can or I can give weeks notice to leave but he seems to think he has rights by staying a month

Thankyou all he's going sunday thank goodness. My nephew came over this morning and he will be staying with me till Monday morning making sure the lodger goes.i think because the lodger works 7 days a week his mind is over tired but gradually his behaviour changed I've told him he's not to use the cooker again but the microwave he can will see what happens thsnkyoy once again all for your advice

Has he ruined your pans , too?

Lodgers have very minimal rights, more so if no written agreement. Give him a week then boot him.

Hrs putting you and your home at risk with his selfish behaviour and he has made himself homeless.

"Your continued tenure at my property is no longer viable due to repeated incidences of your leaving food cooking unattended which has now (x times) burnt /caught fire whilst you sleep. You've also left the front door unlocked when you've left the house. As this poses a significant risk to my property and personal safety you need to leave with immediate effect."

As a lodger, he cannot afford to be a dickhead.

Legally you have to give a minimum of 28 days!

Completely incorrect

Could we have some sources for this please?

I’m glad your nephew has come to stay with you. I think if someone is living with you and they make you feel unsafe then you should be able to ask them to leave immediately. Give them a reasonable amount of time to come back and collect their stuff. It’s different for tenants renting as the landlord doesn’t live there. The property belongs to the landlord but it’s not their home. You have every right to feel safe in your home.

Not for lodgers

The landlord only has to give reasonable notice, as the lodger is causing damage and is a danger by his actions, it could be argued that immediate notice would be acceptable.
A lodger who shares areas with the landlord is an excluded occupier and has very few rights.

Please make sure you change your locks once he has gone!

What's wrong with the lodger? Is he normal apart from this? How old is he? Is he taking medication that us making him dozy? @I couldn't live with those dangers to be honest.

That’s a good idea.