Rented house, clutter being put in my bedroom

LegacyUser

So, I'm renting a room in a house. The couple that own the place live there too. I've been here since June and we all get on really well, I'd consider them to be very good friends by this stage.

Anyway, the room is furnished, with far more stuff than I need really, but up until now I haven't said anything. Ie, there are two big shelves, a chest of drawers, and a wardrobe already. I don't have that much stuff and only half of one of the shelves is filled. There's also a small couch in there that I could do without, but I haven't really been bothered with the confrontation so I just left it. There's also an old picture behind the couch which ideally I wouldn't normally have there, but whatever, I haven't bothered asking them to move it in favour of house harmony.

Anyway, today I come back from a weekend away, and they've put this massive old wooden shelf in my room as they're clearing out another room to make a study. They didn't ask me if this was cool at all, not a text or nothing, and basically just told me it was there when I got back. To be honest I don't really want it in there. The room felt cluttered as it was, and as I said, I already have TWO large shelf things which I barely use. I said I wasn't mad on it, but they were just like, well that's where it is. As if I don't have any say. Anyway you've probably gathered by now that I'm quite non confrontational, so I just let it go, saying that it will be ok for a while but I'd planned on getting a desk to study at and it will have to move when I get it.

Anyway, now I'm sitting here thinking, screw this, I don't want another shelf in my room. But non-confrontational me is telling me just to leave it. I know what you're all going to tell me, I suppose I just need a bit of encouragement! I HATE confrontation!

wasper

Cluttered wrote: »

So, I'm renting a room in a house. The couple that own the place live there too. I've been here since June and we all get on really well, I'd consider them to be very good friends by this stage.

Anyway, the room is furnished, with far more stuff than I need really, but up until now I haven't said anything. Ie, there are two big shelves, a chest of drawers, and a wardrobe already. I don't have that much stuff and only half of one of the shelves is filled. There's also a small couch in there that I could do without, but I haven't really been bothered with the confrontation so I just left it. There's also an old picture behind the couch which ideally I wouldn't normally have there, but whatever, I haven't bothered asking them to move it in favour of house harmony.

Anyway, today I come back from a weekend away, and they've put this massive old wooden shelf in my room as they're clearing out another room to make a study. They didn't ask me if this was cool at all, not a text or nothing, and basically just told me it was there when I got back. To be honest I don't really want it in there. The room felt cluttered as it was, and as I said, I already have TWO large shelf things which I barely use. I said I wasn't mad on it, but they were just like, well that's where it is. As if I don't have any say. Anyway you've probably gathered by now that I'm quite non confrontational, so I just let it go, saying that it will be ok for a while but I'd planned on getting a desk to study at and it will have to move when I get it.

Anyway, now I'm sitting here thinking, screw this, I don't want another shelf in my room. But non-confrontational me is telling me just to leave it. I know what you're all going to tell me, I suppose I just need a bit of encouragement! I HATE confrontation!

Give the minimum notice & find a new place to live in. If they argue tell them nicely that they gave you no choice in the matter. Tell them see if they can rent the room with all this clutter. There is no shortage of rented accommodation & you don't have to accept that nonsense.

Victor

Tell them its not on. You rented a bedroom, not a storage room. Ask them when will they are moving the shelves back. Surely they need shelves in a study.

Its also not on for them to be in your bedroom, when you weren't there. You don't go into their bedroom, when they aren't there. Sure its their home, but you are paying for the room.

If it doesn't work out only reasonable notice needs to be given, as it appears you are a lodger, not a tenant.

Firetrap

Well, either you're going to have to say something to them or move out. That's the bottom line. You're renting a room from people who don't have the manners to let you know that they've been going into your room.

I've lived in houses where the person who owned it lived there too and if there was ever a need for them to go into it, they would ask for my permission first. Secondly, you will need a desk to study and as you've pointed out, you won't be able to have one in there because of the shelf. Sooner or later that particular issue is going to come to a head so it's up to you whether you confront or run.

You say you don't like confrontation. I can understand that - I don't like confronation either. However, there is a line between being non confrontational and being treated like a doormat. I'm not going to go as far as to say grow a pair or get some backbone but this is one of those times where you need to stand up for yourself.

Grimebox

show them this thread

Miss Fluff

I'd have HUGE issues with them being in my room to be honest.....bloody hell! If you really don't feel able for a confrontation, maybe next time they are out, take everything out of your room that you don't want there and leave it in a communal living space and tell them when you get home that it's cluttering your room. If they don't like it I'd move out.

Cheap Thrills!

Just put it in the hall and tell them you dont want them going in your room again.

Its their problem what to do with the junk not yours.

They are only walking on you as you are being a bit of a doormat!

You dont need to be unfriendly just be straight with them.

This is why I would never live with an owner occupier again. So many seem to think that because it's their house, they can do what they like, including with the tenant's room. I posted here about my nightmare flatmate who was constantly going into my room to put stuff in or take stuff out. She genuinely couldn't understand what the problem was, she obviously thought it was HER house, so she could do what she wanted. I came in once day to find all my stuff moved off a shelf that she'd decided to put in her room, one day my lamp was gone and another I found a pile of old bedding in my bottom drawer. I felt like I had no privacy, as she obviously was walking in all the time and moving my stuff around. There's nothing worse than constantly feeling like a guest in your home and if you're paying your share of the rent, it's as much your home as it is theirs. But so many owner occupiers don't get this. Your room should be the way you viewed it. What was in there, furniture wise, should stay there unless otherwise mentioned, and nothing should be put there without your agreement.

LegacyUser

It's me again. After writing that post I kind of realised how pathetic I was being, and said to them that I'd thought about it, and I really didn't want the shelf in my room. They were cool and there were no dramas at all, so it's all sorted.

They had mentioned it to me last week and I'd said I'd think about it (fully intending to say no), so I reckon they were just chancing their arms the cheeky bastards. They are very decent people, always cooking dinner for me/ offering me glasses of wine, beer etc, and I've been here about 9 months without any hassles at all so far, so I'm just going to forget about it.

Thanks for the replies

Firetrap

That's good to hear. Bet you feel better now :cool: Just watch from now on (and not just in your current accommodation) that people don't walk all over you.