Problems in my house-share

pikachucheeks

Hi everyone,

Few issues here that I'd like help with resolving, if you'd be so kind:

Backstory :

- Moved in to the house a few months ago following finding it on Daft.ie

- I don't know my landlord and pay my rent via the key tenant who knows him. The key tenant lives in the house part-time, at weekends.

1) One of my house mates moved a dog in.

Because I don't know my landlord, I have no idea whether this is allowed or not. I'm not entirely happy with the dog being in the house, but I've said nothing to keep the peace and to avoid any fights.

2) I discovered my key tenant hasn't been paying our bills.

When I moved in, I was told that bills were divided equally between everyone in the house... and heard nothing since. Our key tenant said nothing. I saw bills arriving, but he never confronted me or anyone else in the house about them, so I assumed he was paying for them out of our rent or would come to us at a later stage to settle them.
I didn't confront him myself because he's barely home and it always slipped my mind.

I found an open letter last week stating that he owes 500 euro to the ESB, they're threatening legal action and / or to discontinue our service.

I'm unsure how to handle the situations.

I know that I want to meet with my landlord to have a contract drawn up and signed, but I don't know how to go about it.

Thanks for any advice you can give.

Coriolanus

Was a lease signed at all, or is it just that the lease you did sign didn't cover pets or the dispensation of the bills?
Reason I ask, is that if there's no lease, I'd be taking the opportunity to vacate the premises, once it's settled how much, if any of the bills you owe.
Sounds like a very ad-hoc situation in regard to the landlord etc, plus they dog is annoying you, right?

pikachucheeks

Nevore wrote: »

Was a lease signed at all, or is it just that the lease you did sign didn't cover pets or the dispensation of the bills?

I didn't sign a lease at all. This is the main reason I'd like to meet the landlord. I should have done it months ago, but I didn't think of it at the time, as the house seemed to be perfect and there was no hassle with dogs or unpaid bills.

Nevore wrote: »

Reason I ask, is that if there's no lease, I'd be taking the opportunity to vacate the premises, once it's settled how much, if any of the bills you owe.

I would leave, but the rent is really cheap (I'm a student! :P) and the key tenant is due to move out less than two months, which would make me the key tenant, in control of things.

helimachoptor

pikachucheeks wrote: »

I didn't sign a lease at all. This is the main reason I'd like to meet the landlord. I should have done it months ago, but I didn't think of it at the time, as the house seemed to be perfect and there was no hassle with dogs or unpaid bills.



I would leave, but the rent is really cheap (I'm a student! :P) and the key tenant is due to move out less than two months, which would make me the key tenant, in control of things.

and the massive ESB bill Pika...

pikachucheeks

helimachoptor wrote: »

and the massive ESB bill Pika...

The bill is in his name...

What I'll do is speak to his OH tonight (She's another tenant in the house), as he won't be home until the weekend.

If the bill isn't sorted in a week's time, I'll move out.

I've been stressed about this for the past week. Just feel totally miserable about things being so up in the air and unorganised

00sully

what name are the bills under?

obviously not yours right? When key tennant leaves, he will be responsible for the bill - get the ESB to set up a new account in your name and start from scratch with them - they will chase who ever name is currently on the bill leaving the premises wiht a service!

Coriolanus

Rent with bills inclusive would be the exception, rather than the rule, so without it being specified on day 1 that the rent would include contributions to the bills, common sense would dictate that it'd be a three way split (or four way or whatever).

That's just how I'd read the situation at least.

If their key tenant is moving out, I suggest you don't get yourself into a situation of being responsible for rent collection etc. It's always worked out as a hassle for me, both being a key, and having to hand over to a key. Much better if all the tenants have individual leases with the landlord, and zero crossover other than the bill split.

helimachoptor

pikachucheeks wrote: »

The bill is in his name...

What I'll do is speak to his OH tonight (She's another tenant in the house), as he won't be home until the weekend.

If the bill isn't sorted in a week's time, I'll move out.

I've been stressed about this for the past week. Just feel totally miserable about things being so up in the air and unorganised

Yes but you mentioned that you will become the key tenant when he leaves, ESB may not let you start a "new account" while the old debt is still there.

pikachucheeks

Nevore wrote: »

If their key tenant is moving out, I suggest you don't get yourself into a situation of being responsible for rent collection etc. It's always worked out as a hassle for me, both being a key, and having to hand over to a key. Much better if all the tenants have individual leases with the landlord, and zero crossover other than the bill split.

Good plan.
I've already discussed with the other tenant in the house that when they leave (the key tenant and his OH), I'll be in charge of bills (if the landlord won't do it) and we'll sign contracts ourselves stating that once bills arrive, they are paid immediately, within one or two days.

I don't mind having some responsibility, provided contracts are signed, stuck to and we have contact with our landlord.

helimachoptor wrote: »

Yes but you mentioned that you will become the key tenant when he leaves, ESB may not let you start a "new account" while the old debt is still there.

I suppose I'll have to discuss paying of the bill with the key tenant and work from there...

Coriolanus

Let us know how you get on.

stepbar

pikachucheeks wrote: »

Good plan.
I've already discussed with the other tenant in the house that when they leave (the key tenant and his OH), I'll be in charge of bills (if the landlord won't do it) and we'll sign contracts ourselves stating that once bills arrive, they are paid immediately, within one or two days.

I don't mind having some responsibility, provided contracts are signed, stuck to and we have contact with our landlord.



I suppose I'll have to discuss paying of the bill with the key tenant and work from there...

I'm not being funny, but you're at a point in time where you could move out with out much hassle. Imagine if this carries on into Apr / May when you're doing exams? I wouldn't want that hanging over me TBH. If he's not paying bills, how do you know he's forwarding on your rent? or even if the landlord knows you exist at all?

ztoical

stepbar wrote: »

I'm not being funny, but you're at a point in time where you could move out with out much hassle. Imagine if this carries on into Apr / May when you're doing exams? I wouldn't want that hanging over me TBH. If he's not paying bills, how do you know he's forwarding on your rent? or even if the landlord knows you exist at all?

+ 1 OP do you have any information on your landlord? Name, vague idea of where they live? Have you any proof you've paid any rent since moving in? Friend of mine in New York moved into a flat with 2 other people and was doing the same as yourself paying one guy to cover the rent and bills....6 months in comes home to find the landlord whom he'd never met raging cus the guy hadn't paid the rent in months nor any of the bills, had fecked off somewhere and the landlord didn't know there was anyone else living there.

Mary-Ellen

It might be worth your while not taking full responsibility for the bills either.
You could try get everyone to take one.
That way there's not as much money changing hands and you won't be left owed a lot of money in case someone leaves.
I tend to volenteer for esb for some reason but it mightn't be the best idea here

the_syco

ztoical wrote: »

6 months in comes home to find the landlord whom he'd never met raging cus the guy hadn't paid the rent in months nor any of the bills, had fecked off somewhere and the landlord didn't know there was anyone else living there.

OP, get the f**k out of there. One reason is the above. Another is the €500 bill, not caring about the dog moving in, etc, etc. In two months time, it'll be April, and you may be turfed out if the landlord doens't know you live there. Having to find and move, the month before the exams will be lots of unneeded stres, imo.

You say you're a student? How did you get the house? Through daft, or through the college? If the latter, they may have the landlords details.

pikachucheeks

stepbar wrote: »

If he's not paying bills, how do you know he's forwarding on your rent? or even if the landlord knows you exist at all

That exact thought went through my mind last night Especially because the key tenant and his OH are saving up for their wedding...

ztoical wrote: »

+ 1 OP do you have any information on your landlord? Name, vague idea of where they live? Have you any proof you've paid any rent since moving in?

I had a talk with the key tenant's OH last night, along with the other girl living in the house.
We just said we wanted to get in touch with the landlord ourselves and that we wanted to know how much we owed for the bills.

She said that was fine, we'd sort out the bills asap and that she'd give us the landlord's number.
His name is Charles and he's living in Templelogue. That's all I know.

If the bills haven't been sorted by the weekend, I'm going to move out. It'll be obvious by then whether they're trying to shaft me or not.

the_syco wrote: »

You say you're a student? How did you get the house? Through daft, or through the college? If the latter, they may have the landlords details.

I got the house through Daft. Took it because it was on a road I really wanted to live on ... nice location etc.

mylittlepony

That exact thought went through my mind last night Especially because the key tenant and his OH are saving up for their wedding...

read that :eek: whats stopping them pocketing your rent into their wedding savings.
You really should have the Landlord bank account for this for Direct debit.

I gota feeling that the couple are the main tenants and you and the other houseshare are the "extras" for them unknown to the landlord. For all he know he thinks he have a professional couple in his house. And they gonna scram in 2months time.
I think the whole situation is a con. Especially you have no legal lease/contract signed, etc.
The mess they gonna leave behind could be shift onto you, who knows what other skeleteons are in their closet.
I would get out ASAP. RUN -

I don't think the rent situation is all that alarming. I've shared about six houses in Dublin and never once signed a lease, and half the time paid the rent into another tenant's account. My ex found the same thing, a lot of places just tend to be very unofficial in that way. It's really only the bills which would have me panicking. The normal thing is to put the bill out on a table when it arrives and have everyone see it and pay their share. I guess there's still no guarantee that the key tenant won't pocket the money and run, but it's better than paying just a fixed amount or never being asked for any money.

jmayo

[quote=[Deleted User];64401611]I don't think the rent situation is all that alarming. I've shared about six houses in Dublin and never once signed a lease, and half the time paid the rent into another tenant's account. My ex found the same thing, a lot of places just tend to be very unofficial in that way. It's really only the bills which would have me panicking. The normal thing is to put the bill out on a table when it arrives and have everyone see it and pay their share. I guess there's still no guarantee that the key tenant won't pocket the money and run, but it's better than paying just a fixed amount or never being asked for any money.[/QUOTE]

Just because it happens a lot doesn't mean it is a good idea.
If they can't be bothered paying the ESB, then there is good chance they are rent collecting and not passing it on.
A €500 outstanding bill for hosue with 3.5 (one only there at weekends) people would work out at lets say €200 per bill.
Someone may be able to get better synopsis on this.
I would say the ESB bill hasn't been paid for good few months.

IMHO it looks like they are going to run up the bills and possibly anything else so they leave with a few quid.
Maybe I and others are wrong, but OP if we are right you and other tenance are going to be screwed.

As others have said you don't need this type of hassel coming up to end of term what with project deadlines and exams.

Get out now, before they do.

The_Conductor

Pikachucheeks- I don't think you really comprehend the potential implications of this. If I were you- I'd be packing my bags and leaving. There is a very good reason the rent was so reasonable- bills were not being paid- and god only knows whether you are officially even living in house. You have no rights there as a tenant- but also no obligations, I'd seriously suggest getting out in the next few days- before they do!!!

Do keep us updated as to whats happening- the folk here offer very good advice, but its up to you to take it onboard.

Best wishes,

Shane

pikachucheeks

[quote=[Deleted User];64401611]I don't think the rent situation is all that alarming. I've shared about six houses in Dublin and never once signed a lease, and half the time paid the rent into another tenant's account. My ex found the same thing, a lot of places just tend to be very unofficial in that way. It's really only the bills which would have me panicking. [/QUOTE]

A lot of places seem to operate on that basis and personally, I'm not comfortable with it anymore.
When I first moved in, everyone in the house seemed lovely, we all got on quite well and I was happy enough. Fast forward a few months, I'm panicking that the so called "lovely" people might be scamming me and trying to play me for a fool.

jmayo wrote: »

I would say the ESB bill hasn't been paid for good few months.

My thinking too. I found another bill that was from October - December (before the scary "you owe 500 euro" bill arrived) and it was 60 euro. Meaning, bills are about 20 euro a month... On that basis, he hasn't been paying for about two years! :eek:

[quote=[Deleted User];64401611]IMHO it looks like they are going to run up the bills and possibly anything else so they leave with a few quid.
Maybe I and others are wrong, but OP if we are right you and other tenance are going to be screwed.[/QUOTE]

I'm thinking the same

smccarrick wrote: »

Pikachucheeks- I don't think you really comprehend the potential implications of this. If I were you- I'd be packing my bags and leaving. There is a very good reason the rent was so reasonable- bills were not being paid- and god only knows whether you are officially even living in house. You have no rights there as a tenant- but also no obligations, I'd seriously suggest getting out in the next few days- before they do!!!

I'm considering that option, definitely.

Just to update people on the situation :

My housemate the other night said that we didn't have an official account with the ESB, in any tenants' name.
She said bills just came to the house ...

I was suspicious of this, as the bill I found had an account number on it and the key tenant's name (obviously! :rolleyes:)

I called up ESB to confirm he had an account this morning, which they confirmed for me.

So, she lied to us.

Following this, I text her this morning to ask her for the landlord's name, number and address. She hasn't replied as of yet (six hours later).

I managed to get my landlord's number by making contact with the landlord of the house next door. He passed me on the details and I have them in front of me now ...

I'm planning on talking to the other person in the house so we can decide together what to do.

I'm hoping that by tonight, we'll have made contact with the landlord together to enquire out whether our rent has been paid and to inform him of the situation with the bill.

I'd like to thank everyone for their help and advice so far. It's really appreciated

Fingers crossed by tonight, It'll be sorted or on the way to being sorted. If nothing's been changed by the weekend, I'll be moving out.

anucksunamun

Jeez Pika what an awful situation, excellent thinking with the neighbour what happened with the landlord?

db

I was in a situation the exact same as this the first time I lived in a house share. I saw the warning signs early and told the key tenant I would move out in 4 weeks and use my deposit as rent until then. I went away for a weekend just before I was due to move out and came back and the house had been emptied. Luckily my room hadn't been touched not that I had much worth taking.

When I came home from work the next day the landlord was there and he told me that the rent hadn't been paid for months. I was lucky that I had already found somewhere else to go so I just moved out there and then but I could have been left homeless.

OP, this is a bad situation for you so get out as quickly as you can. If there are bills to be paid, use your deposit to cover them and get back the rest if possible.

jmayo

pikachucheeks wrote: »

A lot of places seem to operate on that basis and personally, I'm not comfortable with it anymore.
When I first moved in, everyone in the house seemed lovely, we all got on quite well and I was happy enough. Fast forward a few months, I'm panicking that the so called "lovely" people might be scamming me and trying to play me for a fool.

My thinking too. I found another bill that was from October - December (before the scary "you owe 500 euro" bill arrived) and it was 60 euro. Meaning, bills are about 20 euro a month... On that basis, he hasn't been paying for about two years! :eek:

I'm thinking the same



I'm considering that option, definitely.

Just to update people on the situation :

My housemate the other night said that we didn't have an official account with the ESB, in any tenants' name.
She said bills just came to the house ...

I was suspicious of this, as the bill I found had an account number on it and the key tenant's name (obviously! :rolleyes:)

I called up ESB to confirm he had an account this morning, which they confirmed for me.

So, she lied to us.

Following this, I text her this morning to ask her for the landlord's name, number and address. She hasn't replied as of yet (six hours later).

I managed to get my landlord's number by making contact with the landlord of the house next door. He passed me on the details and I have them in front of me now ...

I'm planning on talking to the other person in the house so we can decide together what to do.

I'm hoping that by tonight, we'll have made contact with the landlord together to enquire out whether our rent has been paid and to inform him of the situation with the bill.

I'd like to thank everyone for their help and advice so far. It's really appreciated

Fingers crossed by tonight, It'll be sorted or on the way to being sorted. If nothing's been changed by the weekend, I'll be moving out.

GET OUT NOW, RIGHT NOW.

You have been played.

She lied about the ESB and she is stalling about the landlord.
BTW can't see an ESB bill being only €20 a month but she is still lying about account holder.
They probably will have the to cop on to realise you might check with ESB and because they know that you are trying to contact the landlord then I would say they are about to leg it right about now.

They are lying through their teeth and they know the game is almost up.
Thus I would say firstly make sure that your belonging are safe.
Anything of value you have get it out of there now.

Find somewhere else to live.

I would say forget the idea of landlord coming to save you and your colleague and sorting out this mess.
The landlord will firstly be looking for someone to cover the bills and when they leg it who is going to be the ones left in the house ?

Maybe you aren't even supposed to be there ?
How many rooms in house ?
Maybe he let the house to just the couple ?

It won't be sorted without some pain for the ones left, i.e. you the tenants and/or the landlord.

Life is too short, forget this is perfect house for you and all that mullarkey.

PopUp

jmayo wrote: »

The landlord will firstly be looking for someone to cover the bills and when they leg it who is going to be the ones left in the house ?

Seriously this is exactly what I thought.

Good luck Pika.

janet28

sounds like a nightmare situation. I would speak to the landlord & explain. But I would also pack my bags & look for a different place to live. When I started renting the lack of lease was normal in a houseshare. But the key person collected the rent & collected bill money when it was due. There was never any issue. When the house was sold & rebought, there was a new lease drawn up with exisiting tenants but I was able to move out as soon as I found another person to move in. Their deposit was then passed on to me. This situation sounds v bizarre & in my opinion u should leg it asap.

Magenta

jmayo wrote: »

GET OUT NOW, RIGHT NOW.

You have been played.

She lied about the ESB and she is stalling about the landlord.
BTW can't see an ESB bill being only €20 a month but she is still lying about account holder.
They probably will have the to cop on to realise you might check with ESB and because they know that you are trying to contact the landlord then I would say they are about to leg it right about now.

They are lying through their teeth and they know the game is almost up.
Thus I would say firstly make sure that your belonging are safe.
Anything of value you have get it out of there now.

Find somewhere else to live.

I would say forget the idea of landlord coming to save you and your colleague and sorting out this mess.
The landlord will firstly be looking for someone to cover the bills and when they leg it who is going to be the ones left in the house ?

Maybe you aren't even supposed to be there ?
How many rooms in house ?
Maybe he let the house to just the couple ?

It won't be sorted without some pain for the ones left, i.e. you the tenants and/or the landlord.

Life is too short, forget this is perfect house for you and all that mullarkey.

This is the best advice you are going to get.
I don't know why you're even bothering trying to contact the landlord. Just get the hell out of there.

the_syco

The landlord will like an honest tenant like yourself. And will pass the bill over to you, when they leave.

All five hundred of it.

And you'll have to pay it back by yourself, as you won't be able to charge any new tenants the amount.

Or you can get the f**k out whilst you can, without any notice. Your choice.

I'm thinking: you give notice, and they'll be gone before you.

mylittlepony

No update yet, hope she left.
Better safe than sorry.

pikachucheeks

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your help. Loads of updates for you!

The landlord came around the other night to meet with me and the other girl. We showed him the bill and he said he was going to sort it. He took details of the bill down etc.
The other tenant and myself also explained that unless the bills were sorted, we weren't taking any accounts up in our names, and we weren't going to sign leases.

He then called a house meeting on Sunday and asked us all to be there. Basically, he's outlined a lease for me and the other girl to read and sign, for us to be the key tenants in the house. He asked the key tenant about the bills which he said he was going to work out.
If they haven't been worked out, I'm just going to call the landlord to inform him they haven't kept the promise and refuse to sign anything or have accounts transferred to my name until they've been paid.

I would move out, as everyone's been suggesting but they're going to be gone in a few weeks, the landlord knows what's going on and they won't be getting away with it.

I know moving out would stop all this hassle, but I feel fine about it now because the landlord knows about the situation, he's sorting it himself, as agreed, and the bills are in the key tenants name.

The_Conductor

Hi Pikachucheeks-

Is there a good enough reason other than the rent for staying there?
How long do you intend to stay there (aka- are you willing to sign a lease which ties you into the property for a set period of time- which could include the summer months- when you might want to travelling or something).
Are you aware that a lease and any terms in it, are in addition to any rights or obligations under the Residential Tenancies Act- so- for example- you decide you only want to stay until June- but its a 1 year lease- you are legally obliged to pay the rent for the term of the lease- irrespective of how much notice you give.

Why do you or would you want to be a 'Key Tenant' (whatever this is- as it has no legal basis). It sounds like its a mechanism for the landlord to get a number of people to sign a formal lease- as this will safeguard his interests- however whats in it for you? Why should you sign it? Are you agreeing to recruit a number of other house occupants- and if so- what is your responsibility towards them? Are you putting household and utility bills in your name- and if so what are the implications of this? Have you had an ESB bill in your name previously? Are you aware of the deposit involved and the mechanisms for reclaiming this deposit after a year?

Ok- the place was cheap- but the long run cost could be a whole string of headaches for you.

To me it sounds like the landlord is accommodating the old 'Key tenant'- these new arrangements appear to allow him to exit from the property and any obligations he may have in a graceful manner.

If you are insistent on staying there- I would seriously suggest having someone who is very familiar with leases go over your proposed lease in detail- before you sign anything.

You need to ensure that you are safeguarding your own interests- becoming a 'Key-tenant' and signing a lease- are taking on a whole load of legal obligations- that for a student, simply don't make sense, cheap rent notwithstanding.

Don't sign anything until you have had it checked by someone familiar with leases and contract law. Even the accommodation officer in the SU would be helpful- but given the mess with bills ets- I'd be inclined to plead with someone familiar with leases for some urgent help.

Shane

Magenta

OP I have no idea why you are putting yourself through this. There is no shortage of cheap places to rent.

jmayo

pikachucheeks wrote: »

Hi everyone,

Thanks for all your help. Loads of updates for you!

The landlord came around the other night to meet with me and the other girl. We showed him the bill and he said he was going to sort it. He took details of the bill down etc.
The other tenant and myself also explained that unless the bills were sorted, we weren't taking any accounts up in our names, and we weren't going to sign leases.

He then called a house meeting on Sunday and asked us all to be there. Basically, he's outlined a lease for me and the other girl to read and sign, for us to be the key tenants in the house. He asked the key tenant about the bills which he said he was going to work out.
If they haven't been worked out, I'm just going to call the landlord to inform him they haven't kept the promise and refuse to sign anything or have accounts transferred to my name until they've been paid.

I would move out, as everyone's been suggesting but they're going to be gone in a few weeks, the landlord knows what's going on and they won't be getting away with it.

I know moving out would stop all this hassle, but I feel fine about it now because the landlord knows about the situation, he's sorting it himself, as agreed, and the bills are in the key tenants name.

Please listen to smccarrick's advise.
As smccarrick pointed out a lease means straight through the year and not case where you can disappear for three months without paying the rent.

What excuses did your key tenant give for not paying the ESB ?
Forgive me for being paranoid, but something still sounds a bit weird about this situation.

Please forget this cr** about being the "key tenant".
In my experience the "key tenant" as you call them ends up being the house minder for the landlord.
It has no standing in law, you have no extra rights, you could still be the one kicked out if all other tenants decide you are not wanted.
You get to handle the cr** for no extra unless of course you are getting a rent discount from landlord which I would say is unusual.

The best way to organise rent payment is straight to landlords bank account by all tenants.
If done otherwise it raises questions about the landlord, especially if they ask for cash.

The best way for bills is one person to take each bill and that way one person doesn't get screwed for all the bills.
All this laid down up front to any new arrivals.

Sorry have to ask this but why do you want to be this so called key tenant, do you just want to control the house or something ?

pikachucheeks

smccarrick wrote: »

Is there a good enough reason other than the rent for staying there?

I think so. My room is less than 300 euro a month for a double room with french doors out to a reasonable size garden. It's in a good location, very near a bus stop I use to get to college every day.
The house is on a quiet street as well, which is a big plus for me.

smccarrick wrote: »

How long do you intend to stay there (aka- are you willing to sign a lease which ties you into the property for a set period of time- which could include the summer months- when you might want to travelling or something)

I have another year (from September 2010) left in college, so I plan on renting until at least May 2011.

smccarrick wrote: »

Why do you or would you want to be a 'Key Tenant' (whatever this is- as it has no legal basis). It sounds like its a mechanism for the landlord to get a number of people to sign a formal lease- as this will safeguard his interests- however whats in it for you? Why should you sign it?

I want to sign it so I have a proper law-abiding lease with the landlord and so I'm in charge of deciding what housemates come in to the house. I don't want to get stuck living with people like I am now again!

I've said to my landlord that any rent from the house will be paid directly to his bank account from anyone living in the house, rather than through me (or the other tenant who's staying)

I'll definitely get my family's solicitor to look through the lease before I sign it. There's no way I'd sign any sort of contract without reading it.

Magenta wrote: »

OP I have no idea why you are putting yourself through this. There is no shortage of cheap places to rent.

If it weren't for the location, the price and the fact I like my bedroom so much, I'd be up and gone in a heartbeat.

jmayo wrote: »

What excuses did your key tenant give for not paying the ESB ?
Forgive me for being paranoid, but something still sounds a bit weird about this situation.

They said they'd got "stuck" cleaning the house on Sunday. Then they said they'd been busy with work :rolleyes:

Both of them will be home tonight so I'll just explain to them that if the bills aren't sorted over the weekend, I'm gone.

The reason I've been so patient is that there's still three weeks to go before they move out and the landlord says he's sorting things out. Maybe I'm too trusting with that.

But you all are right. I feel like a fool, posting here, because everyone's telling me to move out and I ... haven't

If the house wasn't so ideal (other than them and their failure to organise / pay bills) I'd definitely leave.

I'm sorry for frustrating you with my present decisions... I'm trying to be as patient as I can with my housemates, for the sake of us all having to live together for the next while... I hate awkward, hostile situations.

But at this point I know that I have to stand up to them, to avoid being shafted and to get the bills paid ... seeing as the landlord doesn't seem to be helping much.

I just have a sneaking suspicion that once I get more pro-active and show my annoyance, it'll start war in the house...

Magenta

OP I think you are being very naive and trusting.

The_Conductor

Magenta wrote: »

OP I think you are being very naive and trusting.

We're all naive and trusting at times- we want to believe the best of other people. Perhaps some of us are too cynical- personally I often think that if I prepare for the worst, and it doesn't happen- that its a pleasant bonus.

Pikachucheeks- definitely get your family solicitor to have a look at the lease. God only knows what'll be in it- the landlord sounds clueless to be honest. I wouldn't be a 'Key Tenant' for him- if you paid me- and I most certainly would not get any of the utilities in my name. Have you figured what you're going to do for the 3 summer months- whether you'd still be expected to pay rent, or how it would be handled?

Also- 300 for a room- even if it has nice French doors out to the garden- does not seem to be an incredible bargain to me- to be honest. It may be cheaper than student accommodation- but rents are a hell of a lot lower than they used be- and if you were renting out a whole house I'd not be too impressed...... When you factor bills into the equation- its at least 400 a month (prob 450) times 4 or 5- and you're up to or over 2k a month...... It really doesn't seem like an incredible bargain?

I think most posters have made their thoughts clear on this thread- its up to you to do whats right for you- but get a good opinion from your solicitor and make sure that any questions (such as what happens during the summer months) get answered before you sign anything.

S.

MistyCheese

pikachucheeks wrote: »

I want to sign it so I have a proper law-abiding lease with the landlord and so I'm in charge of deciding what housemates come in to the house. I don't want to get stuck living with people like I am now again!

So is that why you want to be the Key Tennant, so that you'll get a say in who moves in? If so, just make sure that you get something in writing confirming that you get a say. Just in case the landlord decides to rescind this privilege. Because, as people have already said, there are no legal rights or obligations to being a Key Tennant.

So make sure you get something in writing and signed by the landlord. I can see a sitaution arising where you don't like/trust a potential tennant and the landlord rents them a room anyway, because they need the money.

Magenta

MistyCheese wrote: »

So is that why you want to be the Key Tennant, so that you'll get a say in who moves in? If so, just make sure that you get something in writing confirming that you get a say. Just in case the landlord decides to rescind this privilege. Because, as people have already said, there are no legal rights or obligations to being a Key Tennant.

So make sure you get something in writing and signed by the landlord. I can see a sitaution arising where you don't like/trust a potential tennant and the landlord rents them a room anyway, because they need the money.

I would not wish being in charge of tenant-hunting on my worst enemy, it's unpaid torture, having to organise your time around meeting people who don't show up, or you rent someone the room and they seem really nice until they turn out to be a cokehead who enjoys loud sex at 4am on a Sunday night-Monday morning (happened to me).

MistyCheese

Magenta wrote: »

I would not wish being in charge of tenant-hunting on my worst enemy

True, I didn't even mean that, I just meant that if the landlord now says that Pikachucheeks will get a final say in who gets a room he may change his mind in the next few months as money talks.

But if you're in charge of replacing tennants, Pika, I would be even more cautious. As Magenta points out, it's a nightmare of a chore - for no rewards.

Magenta

MistyCheese wrote: »

But if you're in charge of replacing tennants, Pika, I would be even more cautious. As Magenta points out, it's a nightmare of a chore - for no rewards.

It's the biggest pain in the f...reaking ass.
I even made a thread about it in Ranting and Raving.
And no matter how nice someone seems, you just never know who you're dealing with.

pikachucheeks

Hi everyone,

I just thought I'd post to update you on what's been happening.

The guy in charge of bills sorted them out so he no longer owes anything and we've all paid our fair share, to get things settled.

The other tenant and I have taken over responsibility of the ESB and electricity bills between us, so neither of us have the sole responsibility. We discussed it, as we were both staying on in the house for a year plus and felt it was the fairest thing to do.

We found two lovely new housemates on Daft, who'll be moving in to the house very soon.
Both of them came to view the house and we all got on well, so we're looking forward to having a nicer atmosphere in the house.

I'm delighted that things have been sorted and that two nice girls have taken the rooms in the house. Everything seems to have worked out.

I know it's extra work for myself, having to manage bills, but the way I look at it, I trust myself to get bills paid, because I know I'm a reasonable and responsible person, where as other people can vary in their reliability.

I'd like to thank everyone to gave me advice in this thread. You were all a great help to me, when I was dealing with things.

Cheers

TirEoghain

So you no longer have a problem with living in the house with a dog?

I thought that was one of your main gripes in the OP?

pikachucheeks

TirEoghain wrote: »

So you no longer have a problem with living in the house with a dog?

I thought that was one of your main gripes in the OP?

The dog was moved out! I don't think I mentioned it in the thread, but I had a chat with my housemate about it and she brought the dog back home a good few weeks ago.

I just said to her that I would have liked if she'd asked me or at least informed me before moving the dog in ... and she felt so guilty, she moved her out altogether

So, things are all resolved and all's well, for the moment

--LOS--

Glad everything is worked out now OP, to me, this type of scenario is always a bad idea. But first thing you do when you move in anywhere is take all the readings (esb,gas..) and keep a check on them each bill to make sure theyre consistent.