UK Landlord Forum / Life

Thank God for this forum!

Hello everybody! Firstly, I am a bit furious so my English may be chaotic and I apologise in advance.

I have a problem with my Landlady. She is a live in, with three kids (well behaved). But because she's a live in landlady the things can get a bit awkward at times.

She also has two other people who rent from her. So 6 people in total (not counting the little kid). She's just asked me to move out and gave me 2 months becasue it's Christmas. So effectively I have to be out by end of January I am not happy about this. Even though it's two months, 3-4 weeks out of the 8 I am spending with my family for Christmas. Her excuse - I use too much electricity...... And she advertised the room for £450 with the bills included (in Chalfonts). I think the reality hit her pretty hard as she didn't expect her bill would go up by so much because of extra people...

And here's the best or the worst ?! thing - She is not a registered landlord. She did tell me at the beginning and I was quite desperate so took the room. But now, I am not sure how she's gonna act? What else is she going to do? I already took action and emailed few people from spare rooms but it is extremely difficult to find anything in the Chiltern District. I don't drive so I am very limited in my options.

And about my deposit? I am going to need that money back but because she's not registered anywhere I am SURE she's not going to give it up so easily?

My question is: what is my position in this situation? Am I to blame in any way? Can I 'threaten' her becaude she's basically commiting an offence. I wouldn't report her but if it comes to the worst I want to make sure she understands the consequences...


Any advice?

What offence is being committed? If the Landlord is living in the same property you appear to be a Lodger... the Landlord could just ask you to leave right now, not in 2 months. Lodgers have very little rights when compared to Tenants. The law says that a Lodger must be given "a reasonable time" - that is not defined, it could be 24 hours. If a Landlord feels threatened by a Lodger then they could just change the locks while you're out and hand you your belongings through the door. I would expend my efforts in finding the next place... that's more important.

Quote from: Hippogriff on November 29, 2015, 09:10:39 PM
What offence is being committed? If the Landlord is living in the same property you appear to be a Lodger... the Landlord could just ask you to leave right now, not in 2 months. Lodgers have very little rights when compared to Tenants. The law says that a Lodger must be given "a reasonable time" - that is not defined, it could be 24 hours. If a Landlord feels threatened by a Lodger then they could just change the locks while you're out and hand you your belongings through the door. I would expend my efforts in finding the next place... that's more important.

Can you please define who the lodger is? Because I am pretty sure she is renting rooms out without her husband's knowledge. She told me not to mention anywhere where I live.... not to change anything with the bank or even register with a GP

Aren't you the Lodger?

You said your Landlord was a live in.

Quote from: Hippogriff on November 29, 2015, 09:32:12 PM
Aren't you the Lodger?

You said your Landlord was a live in.

Yes, but I do have a lock on my door and all arrangements are very much tenant-like. Just because she's a live in LL does not make me a lodger or does it?

Lets say I am a tenant? What then?

More than 2 non-family people renting a room in this manner, I believe, and it becomes a HMO... which is probably what you meant by not registered? Also, it's probably what the Landlord wants to avoid and, hence, is why you are being asked to leave... do you think?

If you are a Tenant you can be given at least 2 months notice... if you do not have a current fixed term?

It still seems to make more sense, to me, to put your efforts into finding your next place... but I'm sure you can report the Landlord to the Council. They may even do something.