Rent-a-room lodger problems

I use one of these for astronomy (this isn't me by the way):



The red light helps you see things at lower intensity. I reckon €15 would power it for about 15 years if you're frugal. Get a pair of those nice warm mitts too ... cut down on heating at the same time. Plus your house will have a lovely ambient feel like the set of The Hunt for Red October.
 
I can't change the locks every time a lodger leaves! In that case I'd be changing them once a year because most lodgers only stay that long. Once the keys are returned I'm not anticipating any further problems. I'm not afraid of the person.
 
Marcia said:
I can't change the locks every time a lodger leaves! In that case I'd be changing them once a year because most lodgers only stay that long. Once the keys are returned I'm not anticipating any further problems. I'm not afraid of the person.
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If you have one and still the manual for it, possibly you could change the code on house alarm.
If you have something like Phonewatch, remove this person from the list of keyholders etc etc
 
Latest chapter in the saga - a few days after the last incident of late rent and only paying 30% of the electricity bill, I told her to leave by 16th September (half a month) which she accepted. September's rent (last rent before she leaves) was due on 1st September and it's now the 6th and she still hasn't paid it. She never said anything until I asked her where it is and then she said she wants me to use her deposit for her last rent payment which is the same amount of money (I only took half a month's rent as a deposit when she moved in). I told her I'm not using her deposit as rent and she either pays the rent or leaves this coming Friday (8th). She's insisting that either I keep the deposit as rent or give it back to her, in full, with no deductions and only then will she hand over the keys. She's afraid that I will deduct what she owes me for the upcoming gas & electricity bills. Of course I will - the deposit is used for outstanding bills as well as payment for any damage etc. She knows this, it was in the agreement she signed. I don't think she will pay the bills once she leaves.

I had a row with her last night - she says two previous landlords didn't give her back her deposit. I wonder why ! She also said she doesn't think it's a big deal that her rent was 8 days late in August and so far 4 days late for September - as long as she eventually pays it ! She also said I don't trust her and seemed insulted about this !!!?

So the situation is, she pays the rent or she leaves on Friday. As one week has passed in September since rent day, I will give her back one weeks rent on Friday in exchange for the keys. If she refuses to hand over the keys or leave and hasn't paid the rent, I will give her notice of the locks being changed on Monday. I'm hoping it wont come to this as that's quite expensive and hassle I don't need.
 
I was advised to change the locks between tenancies which I think is a good idea. That doesn't necessarily mean throwing away the old lock, if it's perfectly good.

Just store one lock somewhere and hand it to the locksmith next time you need to switch, which means you're only paying for the labour. It should be a quick, reasonably priced job which will provide a decent amount of peace of mind.
 
No need to get a locksmith out to change the lock. Take a photo of the lock to assist in buying a new one and do it yourself or get a handy neighbour/friend to do it. Can't say I'd be as trusting as to assume lodgers didn't have a second copy of key. Hope she is long gone by Friday - she has some cheek not to expect to pay bills owing.
 
I wouldn't be able to do it and I've nobody to ask. I priced a job with local locksmith - guts of €200 including keys
 
She says she will pay what she owes but a) she left me short last month, telling me that she'll only pay up to30% of the electric bill from now on and b) I think she wants to transfer bill money into my account after she moves out. I don't trust her.
 
She's agreed to pay me money now to cover the upcoming bills and I will give her back what she's over paid, before she leaves. In exchange she gets to stay until the original eviction date. I get my rent and her full contribution to the bills plus the money she left me short last month. I wont have to change the locks !
 
Reactions: Leo
Personally, I would change the locks anyway. If she has had the key copied, she could enter your home in say 6 months time and steal things. Or she could sell the key to burglar who could ransack your home and, though I stand to be corrected, your insurance company would dismiss any claim as there was no 'forced entry'.
 
God love your imagination.
 
Well I've told her I have a new lodger moving in, so she's not going to enter an apartment and a room where people might be. Secondly I really have nothing that she'd be interested in or could sell, bar a small flat screen TV and sure, they're worthless these days. Thirdly, I'm not afraid of her and she's not a 'bad' person in that sense, she can be rude and insulting and annoying and a lot of things, but she's not a thief! I've never had any worries on that score. She'd have no reason to come back and I know she wont. Once she's gone, she's gone. She's been packing for a few days, so that's it. It's been a learning curve because it was my first time to have a lodger. It's a shame that one person can turn you off a whole nation of people, but that's what happens. I will not be entertaining anyone else from that particular country.
 
you don't need to change the lock in its entirety, you could just change the barrel - work out a lot cheaper. A complete new yale lock is only €30 in woodies and there is hardly any trouble with them, a couple of screws and job done. Keep the door lock that you have and swop back when the next lodger moves out
 
Think we have had enough of the "you should change the lock" suggestions and "I don't need to" responses back and forth at this stage
 
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