Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Legal matters

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you have any legal concerns we suggest you consult a solicitor.

Original poster

Non-Resident Parent has un-vetted lodgers

15 replies

GingerOClock · 16/09/2018 20:33

Just discovered that exP has been letting out a room in his flat to lodgers found on Gumtree.

DC have told me there is no lock on the bathroom door and they have been walked in on more than once.

They go for 2 nights EOW.

I don't want them staying when there are strangers staying in the house - it;s ringing huge alarm bells for me.

Can anyone help with where I stand legally? There is a child arrangements order in place.

OP posts:
Original poster
GingerOClock · 16/09/2018 20:36

Sorry for any typos - typed in panicked hurry!

OP posts:
Iflyaway · 16/09/2018 20:36

Get back to your lawyer.

No way would I let my kids stay there, order or no.

Your childrens' safety is nr. 1 here.

Original poster
GingerOClock · 16/09/2018 20:40

I don't have a lawyer...

OP posts:
Original poster
GingerOClock · 16/09/2018 20:45

I'm actually shaking. The room one DC is in is directly opposite the lodgers room - at the other end of the flat.

There has been a different lodger each time they have been there for the past couple of months.

OP posts:
Original poster
GingerOClock · 16/09/2018 20:49

I'm trying to google but throwing nothing up.

OP posts:
WhatIsThisTomfoolery · 16/09/2018 20:51

What has he said about it?

Original poster
GingerOClock · 16/09/2018 20:52

He hasn't spoken to me in over two years

OP posts:
Original poster
GingerOClock · 16/09/2018 20:52

I've found the ad on gumtree though

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 17/09/2018 09:21

Legally you have to continue complying with the Child Arrangements Order. If you want things changed you need to apply to vary the order. The fundamental question for the court will be whether there is a genuine safeguarding issue.

AgentProvocateur · 17/09/2018 09:27

You can ask him to get a lock for the bathroom door, but I’m not sure that you could ask him to vet lodgers. After all, councils are happy to house homeless families in hostels with all sorts of unvetted people. You need to trust that he is looking after them.

Original poster
GingerOClock · 17/09/2018 09:58

Is there anywhere that I can get free legal advice on this?

OP posts:
prh47bridge · 17/09/2018 10:31

You may find a solicitor who will give you 30 minutes free.

Agree with AgentProvocateur. The fact that the lodgers are unvetted is unlikely to be an issue. There isn't a great deal of vetting he can do. He cannot, for example, get DBS checks on them. It is, however, reasonable to expect him to get a lock on the bathroom door and make sure he has assessed any risks to the children properly.

Uncreative · 18/09/2018 02:11

Give the children a door stop or similar until you are able to see a solicitor or vary the order.

Just doing that might make your ex take it more seriously.

Google 'travel door lock' or a buy a door wedge.

Original poster
GingerOClock · 18/09/2018 20:54

I've told him they are not staying again until I can see that there are locks on the doors - we will see what happens

OP posts:
Original poster
GingerOClock · 18/09/2018 20:54

Thanks for all the advice

OP posts:
New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread