Advertisement
If you have a new account but are having problems posting or verifying your account, please email us on hello@boards.ie for help. Thanks :)
Hello all! Please ensure that you are posting a new thread or question in the appropriate forum. The Feedback forum is overwhelmed with questions that are having to be moved elsewhere. If you need help to verify your account contact hello@boards.ie
Hi there,
There is an issue with role permissions that is being worked on at the moment.
If you are having trouble with access or permissions on regional forums please post here to get access: https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058365403/you-do-not-have-permission-for-that#latest

My lodger won't pay her last month's rent and her room smells vile

  • 03-03-2011 2:46pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37


    Ok so there are some similar posts but I still can't find one that answers my two questions.

    My lodger gave her months notice 1st of March, which is when her rent falls due. She asked if she could use her deposit, which is 1 month's rent. I said no. She has been difficult and unforthcoming about bills in the past and as she is leaving the country I really think she will stiff me for them.

    Besides that was not the agreement we had - the deposit is supposed to protect me from damage to the apartment etc. How do I get her to pay the rent or can I ask her to leave earlier.

    This girl spends all her time in her room, nothing to do with me, I tried very hard to make her feel welcome, and her room started to smell. It is now so bad that I can smell from the living room with the door closed when she opens her door. She only seems to shower once every few days and she also eats all her meals in her room.

    When she gave her notice I asked her to leave her door unlocked so I could show it to people and she said that was fine. I started opening the window wide after she left in the morning and closing it again before she got home - but it's made no difference the room still stinks.

    What I did next was kind of bad and I realise that I have probably violated her privacy but I thought it must be coming from something in particular... so I opened her wardrobe door and had a look.

    The girl keeps her rubbish in her room?!!! There are about 5 brown paper bags filled with rubbish in the wardrobe all open and full of yogurt cartons and philadelphia cartons and everything. I can't even begin to understand why she would do this - we don't pay bin charges, as it's my apartment I pay the service charges so bin collection is free for her.

    So my second question; if she pays her rent, is it reasonable for me to deduct the cost of hiring a steam cleaner from her deposit - I really think it will take something like that to get the smell out of the mattress and carpet.

    Honest answers please - I can take them :)


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,559 ✭✭✭ricman


    Its reasonable to deduct any charges ,re cleaning ,you should get black bags take the rubbish out of the closet.shes causing a health hazard to you and herself ,open the windows while doing the cleaning.I know a landlord who had the exact same problem, she was in her fortys, her rooms was full of old cloths and rubbish.
    her behaviour was the same as in your post , she never threw anything out.
    it took 5 hours to clean the room.everything had to be replaced ,carpet etc
    the purpose of a deposit is to cover extra charges, damage caused by the tenant.
    i think you,ll have to buy a new mattress and carpet.
    i could nt describe the room, it was a health hazard .


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    As said, the purpose of the deposit is to pay for damage and any exceptional costs arising out of the person's rental. Costs arising out of normal wear and tear cannot be deducted from the deposit.

    Having to steam clean the carpet would be reasonable wear and tear if the tenant had been there 3 years, but not if they've only been there a year or so.

    As she is a lodger in your home, she effectively has no rights in regard to minimum notice period. I would advise you to ask her to pay the rent or leave this weekend. You are entitled to do this. Don't stiff her on the deposit; get any damage or exceptional dirt sorted out, then return what's left to her.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,559 ✭✭✭ricman


    She wont pay the last months rent, so will there be anything left from the deposit to pay for cleaning costs,you could give her black bags and say remove all the rubbish ,your room is a health hazard.That room needs to be cleaned in the next few days, do it yourself ,or ask her to do it.
    you have no privacy ,when it gets to the point where the you are hoarding rubbish.
    she has no right to hold onto rubbish inside the room.
    Her behavior is dangerous and unreasonable.some people have a compulsion to hoard everything,regardless of any health risk to themselves or others.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    Hmm - ricman's post is definitely food for thought - she's not that bad yet but I think it's the direction she's headed.

    Thanks seamus that's a fair point about steam cleaning being reasonable wear and tear after a few years - this girl has been here only 5 months.

    I have no intention of stiffing her on her deposit even though the current stink makes it impossible for me to line up a new lodger. I want to deduct the bills due and hopefully get the mattress clean. That will cost about €60 for the cleaner and my labour will be free.

    I think legally I would be within my rights to change the locks this weekend - but the girl is 23 and moving out of the country on 30th March, it will be very hard to find new accomodation. So is there any method of persuasion I could use to get her to pay the rent and avoid any guilty consience?

    Also if she pays her rent how bold can I get? If I take out the rubbish from her wardrobe - she'll know I've been in there? My mum said to say I just followed the smell cause it was so bad.

    I was also going to change her bedsheets because they haven't been changed for the last 4 months and are adding to the smell - then maybe with some air freshner and an open window I would have a lodger lined up for when she leaves, she has somewhere to stay and everyone's happy.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    If she doesn't pay rent then I think around the 15th of March her deposit will cease to cover the costs of her rent, the bills and a little cleaning.

    So I suppose I could tell her she has until then to pay the rent or I will be changing the locks.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    blackboots wrote: »
    I think legally I would be within my rights to change the locks this weekend - but the girl is 23 and moving out of the country on Friday, it will be very hard to find new accomodation. So is there any method of persuasion I could use to get her to pay the rent and avoid any guilty consience?
    Not really. All you can really do is say to her tonight to pay you the rent due for this month (or up until she's leaving) or be gone by Sunday evening. I'm sure she has friends; if she's that hard up she can stay with them until she goes home.
    Remember that this is your home. She's showing disrespect for you in your own home by not paying her rent, so don't for a second feel guilty about throwing her out "on the streets". You're giving her the option - if she chooses not to pay the rent, then she has chosen to leave, it's not your fault that she may be homeless.
    If she decides to leave on Sunday instead of paying rent, then deduct whatever costs you reckon it will take, as well as five days' rent before handing the rest of her deposit back to her. The sooner you're rid of, the better. The last thing you want is her back on your doorstep wondering where her deposit is.

    If it does come down to evicting her, remember to have someone else there to back you up - preferably someone who can keep a cool head.
    Also if she pays her rent how bold can I get? If I take out the rubbish from her wardrobe - she'll know I've been in there? My mum said to say I just followed the smell cause it was so bad.
    If she pays her rent, I'd be inclined to leave her at it tbh, don't go through the hassle of trying to sneak into her room and clean up or wash her sheets. Put up with it till she's gone, then get a mask and some rubber gloves and fumigate the room.

    Although it stinks, a weekend of steam cleaning, open windows and febreeze and it'll be ready for renting again.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    Thanks again guys,

    I just got home and again leaving her window open all day has made no difference. Perhaps I should clarify that the room is not a tip, she doesn't have much stuff and if I took a picture of the room it looks fine, it's just the smell, which of course will be left on any fabric like carpets and especially the bedding, I will most probably have to bin the duvet and pillows if not the mattress as well. That and the fact that the wardrobe is full of rubbish.

    She gets home around 6.30, so I'm going to ask her about the rent again. If she says she won't pay it then I'll tell her she has to move out. Guess I'll be getting a locksmith on Monday while she's at work?

    Kind of nervous - wish me luck


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 987 ✭✭✭Kosseegan


    You shouldn't need a locksmith. Changing locks is simple. Remember change the front door lock as well as the lock of her room. Put all her stuff in black bags and drop them off at her workplace.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,462 ✭✭✭HardyEustace


    blackboots wrote: »
    Thanks again guys,

    it's just the smell, which of course will be left on any fabric like carpets and especially the bedding, I will most probably have to bin the duvet and pillows if not the mattress as well. That and the fact that the wardrobe is full of rubbish.

    It's very unusual to supply a duvet and pillows to a tenant. I'd just have a mattress cover on the mattress and leave it at that.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Raskolnikov


    blackboots wrote: »
    I will most probably have to bin the duvet and pillows if not the mattress as well. That and the fact that the wardrobe is full of rubbish.
    A mattress is one thing, but you supplied a duvet and bedding too? It's probably too late for the bed clothes at this stage, but never, ever supply a lodger with anything more than a bed, a wardrobe and perhaps a bedside stand.
    blackboots wrote: »
    She gets home around 6.30, so I'm going to ask her about the rent again. If she says she won't pay it then I'll tell her she has to move out. Guess I'll be getting a locksmith on Monday while she's at work?
    :eek: :eek: :eek:

    If you illegally evict her without serving her a proper period of notice, she can haul you infront of the PRTB. If that happens, she could win thousands of Euro off you in hardship and expenses that you inflicted on her as a result of an illegal eviction.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    Thanks Hardy, I realise that now but not much point in closing the proverbial stable door after the the duvet needs to be burned :) A valid point to make though. I also supplied her with bedsheets because she didn't have any, which she doesn't use properly and has been sleeping on the bare mattress which also makes matters worse. You live, you learn.

    The lock doesn't look that easy to change - maybe I'll call my dad.

    Also I hope this doesn't put anyone off getting a lodger. The girl I had stay before this one was lovely and we got on great and as soon as I'm rid of this one I will be looking for a new one - perhaps a little more cautiously.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Raskolnikov


    Kosseegan wrote: »
    You shouldn't need a locksmith. Changing locks is simple. Remember change the front door lock as well as the lock of her room. Put all her stuff in black bags and drop them off at her workplace.
    WHAT EVER YOU DO, DO NOT DO THIS. If you do this, and the girl is any big savvy, you will lose thousands of Euro in covering her expenses. This is an illegal eviction and in the case of a judgment, the PRTB will come down heavily in favour of the tenant. To get an idea of some of the settlement sums that landlords have had to pay, see here http://public.prtb.ie/disputes.htm


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    @Rasko
    As she is a lodger staying in my home she does not have the same rights as a tenant.
    There is much more legislation in place to protect you in your own home. And although a period of notice is advised it is not required and would certainly be less than 1 month for a 5 month stay. There's lots of stuff about it on citizens information website.

    It's all a grey area with advice about what you should do and not much about what you must do. That's also why I was asking - what exactly are my obligations?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Raskolnikov


    Reasonable notice is certainly not entering her room, rifling through her private belongings, bagging them, and then leaving her to find that she is locked out of her room when she comes home from work. Grey area or not, it's a disgusting thing to do to someone who certainly is in the wrong, but not grievously so.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Raskolnikov


    blackboots wrote: »
    I was wrong to state that you come under the PRTB - what I do find hard to believe is that you can simply take the law into your own hands on this matter. Have you tried talking to the girl, explaining the predicament that you're in? Have you asked her specifically to address the smell, or to not keep rubbish in her closet?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    @ Seamas

    You said that if she decides to leave on Sunday I should take 5 days rent from her deposit. Can I really do that? Would that be her leaving without reasonable notice?

    What if she refuses to leave and I change the locks - I couldn't do that then?

    I'm pretty sure it's not something I would do anyway but the legal maze is quite interesting.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    Rasko - I'm really hoping it doesn't actually come to that. I'm not sure how it's going to go.

    I'm going to talk to her tonight and hopefully we can sort it out amicably.

    What is certain though is that I am not willing to let her stay until 30th March without paying her months rent and thus opening myself to the risk that she will leave me with her share of the bills. Especially since as I have said nobody will agree to rent a room that smells like hers does. I am not going to try and chase her for loss of rent between her and the next tenant, I would have no right to do that, but since there will definitely be a gap I cannot risk that she will leave me to pay her bills and endure the cost of steam cleaning the upholstery.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,789 ✭✭✭slavetothegrind


    it's your house, can you not inspect the room in her presence to ascertain the source of the godawful smell. find the rubbish and evict her on heath grounds.
    Rediculous to put up with that.
    She should at least be apologetic and offer to clean up after herself if she has any self respect at all.
    Anyway goodluck, hope you get your rent and have minimum hassle with the crazy rubbish lady.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 370 ✭✭bath handle


    This lodger is not a tenant. Once she breaks the rules under which she has been allowed on the premises she becomes a trespasser. Trespassers who don't leave when they are requested to do so can be frog-marched out the door. Happens in pubs and discos every night of the week. Locking her out and delivering her belongings neatly bagged up is too good for her imo.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,310 ✭✭✭Pkiernan


    WHAT EVER YOU DO, DO NOT DO THIS. If you do this, and the girl is any big savvy, you will lose thousands of Euro in covering her expenses. This is an illegal eviction and in the case of a judgment, the PRTB will come down heavily in favour of the tenant. To get an idea of some of the settlement sums that landlords have had to pay, see here http://public.prtb.ie/disputes.htm

    More mis-information here, as usual. :rolleyes:

    OP, your lodger is just a roommate, not covered by the PRTB and with no right to tenure.

    You can take all of her crap, bag it up and leave it outside the door if you wish.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,255 ✭✭✭Yawns


    Even if she were a tennant you don't need 1 months notice if they have been there less than 6 months. Normal PRTB rules do not apply her as she is renting a room.

    Today is the 3rd. She is overdue her rent by 2 days yes?
    She is trying to make you use the deposit to cover rent and when she moves she will not care about unpaid bills.

    Be nice and polite and have a witness. Give her 1 week to pay or she will be asked to leave. Should she not leave in 1 week, you will have the locks changed.

    DO NOT go through her stuff. Put up with the smell. She has given you permission to show the room but not invade her privacy. You will get the place clean again, don't worry. She doesn't have tenancy rights but it's just not right to do it.

    After 1 week deduct bills and whatever rent is due up to that date, return what's left of deposit and show her the door. Again have a witness. Not some hot head tho. A nice and cool conversation will do.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 78,580 ✭✭✭✭Victor


    The only thing unreasonable that you have done here is go through her wardrobe.

    Talk to her tonight, preferably with someone present on your side.

    Raise the issues of:
    Rent - if it isn't paid, she is to leave by X date (Sunday?).
    Cleaning - ask if you can all inspect the room together, tonight.
    Bills - these will need to be paid up to date.
    Deposit - she can get this back, subject to any deductions for the above.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 9,339 ✭✭✭convert


    Victor wrote: »
    The only thing unreasonable that you have done here is go through her wardrobe.

    Talk to her tonight, preferably with someone present on your side.

    Raise the issues of:
    Rent - if it isn't paid, she is to leave by X date (Sunday?).
    Cleaning - ask if you can all inspect the room together, tonight.
    Bills - these will need to be paid up to date.
    Deposit - she can get this back, subject to any deductions for the above.

    What Victor said.
    As well as having somebody present, I'd also put everything in writing, keeping a copy (and photo) of the document(s) for yourself.

    Having lived with some really 'problem' tenants (in house shares) who left without paying bills, I would definitely insist on the tenant paying rent for the last month. That way, if they decide to up and leave you have the deposit to cover any bills and rent they haven't paid.

    Hope the 'chat' goes well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37,316 ✭✭✭✭the_syco


    If you illegally evict her without serving her a proper period of notice
    She's a lodger. 24 hours can be enough notice. Sounds like she deserves no more, either.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Raskolnikov


    Pkiernan wrote: »
    More mis-information here, as usual. :rolleyes:

    OP, your lodger is just a roommate, not covered by the PRTB and with no right to tenure.

    You can take all of her crap, bag it up and leave it outside the door if you wish.
    Are you just trying to get the original poster in trouble for kicks?

    http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/owning_a_home/home_owners/rent_a_room_scheme.html
    This also means that private tenants living in your home are living under alicensee agreement not a tenancy agreement and are really only entitled to reasonable notice if you choose to terminate the agreement. Tenants are, however, entitled to refer disputes regarding periods of reasonable notice, retention of deposits, and disputes regarding deductions from rent for damage to property that is over and above normal wear and tear to the Small Claims Court.
    A reasonable period of notice suggests that you need to provide notice. When you simply can't bag a tenants things, and throw them out the door, that clearly is not a reasonable period of notice. If the original poster does this, they can be brought infront of a small claims court where the maximum payout awarded against them could be €2,000.

    Serious guys, the next time we have a thread like this, can we remove this nonsense about chucking people out from their home without a period of notice?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Raskolnikov


    the_syco wrote: »
    She's a lodger. 24 hours can be enough notice. Sounds like she deserves no more, either.
    It sounds like "reasonable period of notice" is something that is down to the interpretation of a judge. To me, 24 hours notice does not sound reasonable to me - I mean, have you tried finding a place to live in 24 hours? What if you were foreign (as I suspect this person might be) and you were working a crummy job, had no friends and didn't have a lot of money?

    I think would would want to give a week, at least.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 370 ✭✭bath handle


    The citizens information cannot be taken literally. In any case it refers to a situation where the lodger is carrying out their side of the deal. In this case there is a fundamental breach of contract by the lodger. She is being given an adequate opportunity to remedy it. If she does not take it she is liable to being dumped out. The small claims court will have no sympathy. In any case this lodger is leaving the country so won't be able to pursue a claim.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    This is obviously something which people have very strong opinions on. Let me assure you, just chucking someone out with nowhere to stay is not my first preference - please read my earlier posts. Having said that I don't want to be a walkover.

    So we had a "chat" and I'm no further to a resolution, I probably could have been a little more assertive.

    I asked her about the rent again, said I still hadn't got it, she said she had made the transfer yesterday. I'm not sure I believe her since we are both with the same bank so usually when she transfers money it shows up straight away. Anyway then she said she had to go on a trip with her work tomorrow (she works for the tourism industry) and she would be gone from 5.30am tomorrow and back on Sunday evening. She said she would ring the bank about the rent.

    I told her that there may be people coming to see the room this weekend (lies) so she would have to leave it open.

    Maybe I'm a soft touch but I thought maybe I should wait to see if the transfer goes through then if it doesn't; on Monday I tell her either she pays the rent or she's out by Friday the 11th. I still would not be out of pocket by then.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Raskolnikov


    The citizens information cannot be taken literally.
    Why not?
    In any case it refers to a situation where the lodger is carrying out their side of the deal.
    Where does it say that?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,148 ✭✭✭✭Raskolnikov


    blackboots wrote: »
    Maybe I'm a soft touch but I thought maybe I should wait to see if the transfer goes through then if it doesn't; on Monday I tell her either she pays the rent or she's out by Friday the 11th. I still would not be out of pocket by then.
    I think that's the fairest thing to do in this circumstance.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    Yeah it probably is, I'd rather this just ended with me not being screwed, not overcharging her on her deposit and just to have her gone and out of my life.

    I'll let you know how it goes.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,571 ✭✭✭newmug


    blackboots wrote: »
    So we had a "chat" and I'm no further to a resolution, I probably could have been a little more assertive.

    I asked her about the rent again, said I still hadn't got it, she said she had made the transfer yesterday. I'm not sure I believe her since we are both with the same bank so usually when she transfers money it shows up straight away. Anyway then she said she had to go on a trip with her work tomorrow (she works for the tourism industry) and she would be gone from 5.30am tomorrow and back on Sunday evening. She said she would ring the bank about the rent.

    Is she doing any packing? Cos that sounds to me like you'll never see her again!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    newmug is on the ball!!

    Yes she seems to be doing a little more packing than is necessary for a weekend away!!

    I thought it was just wishful thinking though as her original deposit would leave me with more than enough to cover her rent to this point, the bills, cleaning and some change for her.

    I'll let you know what happens.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 370 ✭✭bath handle


    Why not?

    Where does it say that?

    It is a very general statement of the law which cannot take into account specific situations. It is implicit in it that notice periods are by reference to three being no breach of contract. Take the situation someone trashing a hotel bedroom. The management would be entitled to throw them physically out on the street immediately. If someone was thrown out on the spot for no good reason there would be a breach of contract by the hotel and compensation would be payable.


  • Advertisement
  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    It was just wishful thinking - she hasn't taken all her belongings and the rent went through this morning. I nearly fell over, serves me right for thinking the worst.

    So I guess I'll be puting up with her...ahem..."aroma" and counting the days until the 30th March, 26 to go.

    Since she's away this weekend I just might not be able to stop myself from boil washing her sheets and trying to get some of the smell out I could show the room then and line someone up to rent it - every little helps at the moment.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 88 ✭✭mydearwatson


    blackboots wrote: »
    Since she's away this weekend I just might not be able to stop myself from boil washing her sheets and trying to get some of the smell out I could show the room then and line someone up to rent it - every little helps at the moment.

    OK, I get that she's in the wrong here.

    But as someone who has lived in rented rooms in owner-occupied houses in the past ... the idea of the owner coming into my room when I'm away, and even going as far as to wash my sheets! :eek::eek::eek: Yuck, it's so wrong, even in your circumstances! This is the sort of thing that puts people off living in owner-occupied places.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    I take your point watson and I'd certainly be annoyed if anyone went into my room without permission. I try to act as much as a flatmate as possible and house rules are set up that way - I don't have any extra rights to common spaces

    In the four months she was here before giving her notice I never set foot inside her room and never thought I would be even considering this. However it was agreed when she moved in that I would have access to her room for viewings during the last month of her stay. The condition she keeps her room in is now interfering with my being able to let it. Her sheets are visibly manky and they reek like you wouldn't believe.

    To be honest I actually don't think she would be annoyed if I washed them. And if it does I'll just say very nicely that I was trying to freshen up the room to make it more attractive blah blah blah without saying anything nasty about her questionable hygiene.

    Am I really that out of line?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    "the idea of the owner coming into my room when I'm away"..."yuck"

    She has already given me permission to go into her room. Admittedly for viewings but.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 88 ✭✭mydearwatson


    blackboots wrote: »
    I take your point watson and I'd certainly be annoyed if anyone went into my room without permission. I try to act as much as a flatmate as possible and house rules are set up that way - I don't have any extra rights to common spaces

    In the four months she was here before giving her notice I never set foot inside her room and never thought I would be even considering this. However it was agreed when she moved in that I would have access to her room for viewings during the last month of her stay. The condition she keeps her room in is now interfering with my being able to let it. Her sheets are visibly manky and they reek like you wouldn't believe.

    To be honest I actually don't think she would be annoyed if I washed them. And if it does I'll just say very nicely that I was trying to freshen up the room to make it more attractive blah blah blah without saying anything nasty about her questionable hygiene.

    Am I really that out of line?

    Yes, I think that you are.

    There's a difference between making her room available for viewing, and having the owner actually wash her sheets without her prior knowledge. I would feel utterly mortified and humiliated if someone did that to me! And very angry about it.

    Why can't you just nicely ask her to do it? And if she refuses, then offer to do it yourself.

    How would you feel if you were away for a weekend, and she washed your sheets? Honestly? Just because you don't "think" she'd be annoyed about it, it doesn't make it true!


  • Advertisement
  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,255 ✭✭✭Yawns


    There is a line tho with privacy. Some people won't care if you washed the sheets and made the bed for a viewing but others would. I understand you are trying to line up future tennants and this is very off putting.

    Maybe next time you see her have a chat and explain that some people are coming to view the room over the next week. Ask would it be ok for you to to a spring clean on the room as well as the house. Try to make it seem as if you are giving the whole house a cleaning as you arn't directing that her room in particular needs cleaning.

    If she agrees, then go ahead and throw the rubbish etc out. Once she says ok then go for it. If she asks, just say during the cleaning you noticed the smell, threw the rubbish out and did not touch her personal belongings. Even call her or send her a text to try get to is asap.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,065 ✭✭✭Miaireland


    Text her and say that you have noticed a smell coming out of her room and would it be ok to see if there is something causing. You can say that it would be unpleasant for her to face home to on Sunday.

    I would then go in and remove the rubbish. Put it in a bag and leave the bag outside until she returns home (just on the off chance that she would claim you are throwing out her things).


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    ooh that's a good idea mia


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 68,317 ✭✭✭✭seamus


    I wouldn't do any washing or otherwise go into her room without her knowing. You're not running a hotel or B&B, she has a right (especially now that her rent is paid up! :D) to privacy in her bedroom.

    Even if you are arranging viewings, it's only courtesy to text her and tell her when you have someone coming over to take a look. At least then she will know that someone will be/has been in her room.

    You could even use that as an excuse - "I have someone coming over take a look at the room tonight, would you mind if I just straightened up the room a bit? I won't throw anything out or move anything", etc.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 37 blackboots


    Ok ok, I'll go with the general consensus - will leave her to wallow in her own filth for the moment and then try to ask her if I could possibly spring clean her room. Icky!

    She has paid the rent and is leaving soon so..........good riddance to bad rubbish. hee hee :P


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,255 ✭✭✭Yawns


    :D

    GL with new tennant, just try to grin and bear it. explain you can quickly show the room but someone is still there atm. Make sure to show off the rest of the house etc. Let the future tennants know you respect the privacy of all tennants in your home.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,462 ✭✭✭HardyEustace


    bb, I posted here about problems I've had previously with people vacating rooms and leaving them in a horrible state. Picking someone's toenails off the bathroom floor is fairly heave inducing.

    One good suggestion that was mooted was to sit down with the tenant about two weeks or a week before they leave, tell them EXACTLY the standard that you expect the room to be left in (here you could mention the smell) and say that if the room is not left in that state you would be prepared to withhold part of the deposit in order to pay for professional cleaners/buy new curtains etc..

    I do not under any circumstances think you start stripping beds, washing sheets or clearing rubbish. While you've had problems with the tenant, this is a grave violation of their right to privacy.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,545 ✭✭✭SteoL


    I hope she doesn't read Boards....... :P


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,559 ✭✭✭ricman


    she gave up her right to privacy, she has a closet full of rubbish,give her black bags, say i,m giving you 4 days to clean your room, remove all rubbish,and food.i,ll inspect it in 5days.
    if you dont clean it ,i will.She is causing a health hazard to you,and costing you money.There s a time to be polite,and a time to be blunt.this is not the time for great politeness,shes already ripping you off, her deposit is not gonna cover the cost of cleaning,new sheets or a new carpet ,or matress.
    .You should have a tenancy agreement ,rooms must be kept clean,all rubbish must be left in the bin, any extra cleaning costs will be taken from the deposit, the deposit should be at least 6 weeks rent.
    regardless of privacy i,ll remove all rubbish from the press , if you dont do it.
    Shes a health hazard ,by acting this way ,shes giving up the right to privacy.


  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 4,255 ✭✭✭Yawns


    ricman, that has probably got to be the most useless post I've ever read on boards. Did you even read thru the thread?

    The lodger hasn't got much in the way of rights to begin with. She has paid rent up to date so far, it took some time to come thru the bank.

    6 weeks deposit? Guess you havn't rented much in Ireland as 1 month is the norm.

    New carpet? Even if you knew anything about tennancies, you'd know that you would lose a case for deducting costs of a new carpet over normal wear n tear. You'd want some polaroid pics with a newspaper showing proof for before and after tennancy. Even tho you'd be pushing it.


    4 days to clean her room? I know what I'd be telling you to do with your black bags if you said that to me. But then again a 6 week deposit up front would tell me far more about what kind of landlord you are to deal with...


    I'm just gonna end here thinking, hoping, praying that you are trolling....


  • Advertisement
Advertisement