Rental dispute with Landlord I live with

Powerfairy

Hi Guys

Ok so I do not post to boards very often, but desperate times call for desperate measures,

I Have been renting in a house in Dublin for a year and 1 month, My Landlord recently increased my rent, and I am a trainee accountant so I have to move. Its too expensive for my budget and I really struggled to pay that rent on my very low salary.

I found a property 155 euro cheaper than what I currently pay, so I paid the deposit Friday, and gave my notice to my Landlord last night in my current place where I live ( I actually share with my landlord she lives with me and another girl) I only gave a weeks notice as I have to move into the other property as soon as possible.

My rent is paid in arrears, so I pay on the 25th of each month (PAYDAY)

I Moved into the property in December 2013, my landlord never made me sign a lease however she made me pay €300 of a maintenance fee for the year to pay for the upkeep of the grounds as to where we live. She took this out of my deposit of 550 so I have 250 of a deposit left. So My rent at that time was 550, along with the 300 so in total per month including that charge 575.

The rent has increased to 625 (Including that maintenance fee which she wants paid in 3 drops so she wanted 75 euro this month and 75 in Feb & March this was the nail in the coffin for me) so I told her I had to move. I Know I am giving her a weeks notice only, but she has acted in my opinion quite out of order. I have agreed to advertise the property for her in my place of work which I have done on the internal internet site, I told her she can keep my 250 euro deposit, & I told her I will be out of the property this Thursday,

She is demanding that I pay the Feb rent also, so 1250, I don't have it. At all. & I am in no contract whatsoever, signed nothing with her, ever, but I don't want to leave on bad terms so I feel serious pressure to pay it even though its almost my entire wages.

The only reason I am moving is purely because I have not got the money to pay that rent anymore. I am on a very bad salary as in my rent and then bills is almost half my salary net.

She is getting very aggressive about it. Emailing my work, advising that the sooner I get the room rented the better etc, and that its my problem.

I need any advice at all as to what to do as this is a really bad situation I am in. I would like to also point out that my dad has pancreatic cancer he is very ill, I have to commute home regularly and stay in the rented Dublin house Max 3 nights a week, As I am at home in my part of the country the majority of the time.

What I want to do is pay her the rent on Friday for January and any bills I owe so ESB UPC & Bins, so estimated 600 or 650 euro, and let her keep the 250 so she has money until she finds another tenant. What she wants to do is for me to pay 600 + the difference in the rent for Feb, so 300 (550-250 = 300) & 650 so she wants 950 off me on Friday.

Legally do I have to pay this. I have been a super tenant, very clean, tidy, quiet, and even let her use my gym membership whenever she wanted. I want an easy life I do not want anyone bullying me for money, I am afraid if I see her again after I move out she could be aggressive so I feel serious pressure to go to the credit union and get a small loan to cover the Feb rent.

Sorry this is a huge post. Legally can the Landlord follow me for the Feb rent?

Thanks a mill for any advice at all. Its all appreciated.

xxxxx

foggy_lad

because you live with the owner you are not a tenant but a licensee(like a house guest) and have no rights as such but it also means that you only have to give minimal notice when you want to leave!

You can move out with only 24hours notice if you need to but the normal would be to give a month or a week or two depending on whether you paid rent weekly or monthly.

As for paying her rent you can pay for all of January if you want to but I would only be paying up to the end of whatever notice was given. she has no right to chase you for rent for February or other made up charges.

Michael D Not Higgins

You're living with the landlord? Then there's no obligation on notice periods, etc. You've given notice and are prepared to pay for the rent you owe, don't pay a penny more.

draiochtanois

This post has been deleted.

Mrs OBumble

Powerfairy wrote: »

What I want to do is pay her the rent on Friday for January and any bills I owe so ESB UPC & Bins, so estimated 600 or 650 euro, and let her keep the 250 so she has money until she finds another tenant.

Do that, and tell her that if she continues to harass you, you will be filing a complaint with the guards.

She has no right to any rent for February, and frankly the whole "maintenance fee" thing sounds dodgy as ***

You sound like you're a very polite person. Unfortunately when dealing with this type, you something have to be very blunt and direct. Don't be rude, but don't stand for any nonsense either. (Think of it as practise for dealing with the difficult clients you will have to deal with later in your career.)

Jasper79

Yeah move out and don't worry about he Feb Rent, you're not liable for it. A week's notice fine when a licensee

Arbiter of Good Taste

I think you can tell her to take her demand for February rent and shove it up her a$$ (though maybe not so bluntly).

I would give her a gentle reminder that you are under no obligation to find a replacement tenant and that you are only doing so to be helpful.

I don't see any entitlement for her to keep your deposit, so if she keeps harassing you and contacting you at work I would be threatening to call the gardai

MarkAnthony

I take it you've done €250 damage to the room?

Tell her here's the rent minus the deposit - c.€400. Absolute cheek of the person. You're a glorified house guest. If she keeps on as above contact the guards.

Where the hell are you living Clontarf or Ballsbridge? That rent+all the other stuff is just pure greed, there's no ways she's paying tax (or very little tax) on it.

I'm actually angry reading the OP.

drumswan

Give her the rent owed until today minus your deposit and move out. You do not owe her any notice, nor do you have any obligation to replace yourself as a tenant.

Powerfairy

Hi guys I suppose I am a lodger if I live with the landlord? She is very intimidating and is quite a bit older than me and she knows where i work so for an easy life i am tempted to just pay her off. She could be a manager of mine some day as she was once a manager in pwc and dublin is a small pond, if I were to pay her January rent on Friday and the bills i owe and then the deposit she can keep basically she can not follow me for the remainder February rent! Is what I am hearing?
thanks for all the advice. I told her I was moving out last night and today I got four emails to my work advising I need to find a tenant in my own best interests so I don't owe her further money, what makes ME angry is she knows my financial situation and my personal one also with my dad very very Sick and this does not phase her, it's all money. I lived with her in dublin 3 (I will keep location to myself but gorgeous area) for a year and it was fine as I study and keep in my room when there mostly as I have no life until I qualify (other trainees will understand) so I do think on a personal level she is being very unfair also, I would not pay her the rent minus the remaining deposit as I understand I have inconvenienced her and now she has to find a new person which is a hassle but where I have issue is her following me for feb, when I am not there, and demanding it. And being genuinely scary

Thanks for all the help guys I feel better prepared for facing up to her this evening, x wish me luck

MarkAnthony

PWC, grant thornton etc all have their heads screwed on. Any pissing about by a manager to an employee would be swiftly dealt with. She's a bully plain and simple. Figurative swift kick to the balls is always the best way with bullies.

2/3 more stops up the DART line and you'll have much cheaper rents in very nice areas.

spaceHopper

OP Sorry about your Dad it can’t be an easy time for you.

You are not responsible for the up keep you are paying rent to live there that should also cover the upkeep, she is really taking advantage. Move as soon as possible. Also take down the ad in work it would reflect badly if anybody you know moved in with her, it’s her house it’s her problem. I’d pay the rent and tell her to keep the deposit to cover the bill. Do it after you’ve moved you stuff and stand your ground.

OP she will never be your manager you'd be mad to work for her. She must have more than her fair share of enemies I wouldn't work about here. Is she still working in one of the big companies? There must be a reason why she still doesn't work for PWC.

groovyg

Powerfairy wrote: »

Hi guys I suppose I am a lodger if I live with the landlord? She is very intimidating and is quite a bit older than me and she knows where i work so for an easy life i am tempted to just pay her off. She could be a manager of mine some day as she was once a manager in pwc and dublin is a small pond, if I were to pay her January rent on Friday and the bills i owe and then the deposit she can keep basically she can not follow me for the remainder February rent! Is what I am hearing?
thanks for all the advice. I told her I was moving out last night and today I got four emails to my work advising I need to find a tenant in my own best interests so I don't owe her further money, what makes ME angry is she knows my financial situation and my personal one also with my dad very very Sick and this does not phase her, it's all money. I lived with her in dublin 3 (I will keep location to myself but gorgeous area) for a year and it was fine as I study and keep in my room when there mostly as I have no life until I qualify (other trainees will understand) so I do think on a personal level she is being very unfair also, I would not pay her the rent minus the remaining deposit as I understand I have inconvenienced her and now she has to find a new person which is a hassle but where I have issue is her following me for feb, when I am not there, and demanding it. And being genuinely scary

Thanks for all the help guys I feel better prepared for facing up to her this evening, x wish me luck

She's taking you for an expensive ride and knows full well she can bully you into getting the money as you seem to just to give in to her demands.
If it was the other way around and she wanted you out she could get rid of you pretty quickly.
You are going to meet clients and people in your work like her? What are you going to do? just let them walk all over you!!

Does the other girl who lives there pay rent as well? It all sounds a bit dodge especially that €300 of a maintenance fee for the year to pay for the upkeep of the grounds. Let her ring your workplace and send you emails, but do not pay rent for Feb as you are not living, its up to her to find a new tenant. If she continues to harass you report her to the guards. What a nightmare.

foggy_lad

OP have a read of the information in this link

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/renting_a_home/sharing_accommodation_with_your_landlord.html

It will tell you all you need to know about your current living arrangement.

OP - I'd take down the ad you posted.
You won't have any more contact with her after you move out but you could be working with the person who moves in for years to come.

karlmarker

she was dumb letting you pay in arrears

The_Morrigan

OP if both tenants are paying 575 a month she is well in excess of the limit for the rent a room scheme before you even consider bills. I'd be paying her rent only on Friday getting out asap and dropping revenue a line.

usernamegoes

Powerfairy wrote: »

Hi guys I suppose I am a lodger if I live with the landlord? She is very intimidating and is quite a bit older than me and she knows where i work so for an easy life i am tempted to just pay her off. She could be a manager of mine some day as she was once a manager in pwc and dublin is a small pond, if I were to pay her January rent on Friday and the bills i owe and then the deposit she can keep basically she can not follow me for the remainder February rent! Is what I am hearing?
thanks for all the advice. I told her I was moving out last night and today I got four emails to my work advising I need to find a tenant in my own best interests so I don't owe her further money, what makes ME angry is she knows my financial situation and my personal one also with my dad very very Sick and this does not phase her, it's all money. I lived with her in dublin 3 (I will keep location to myself but gorgeous area) for a year and it was fine as I study and keep in my room when there mostly as I have no life until I qualify (other trainees will understand) so I do think on a personal level she is being very unfair also, I would not pay her the rent minus the remaining deposit as I understand I have inconvenienced her and now she has to find a new person which is a hassle but where I have issue is her following me for feb, when I am not there, and demanding it. And being genuinely scary

Thanks for all the help guys I feel better prepared for facing up to her this evening, x wish me luck

Please don't let her keep the deposit for no reason other than the easy life!

MarkAnthony

The_Morrigan wrote: »

OP if both tenants are paying 575 a month she is well in excess of the limit for the rent a room scheme before you even consider bills. I'd be paying her rent only on Friday getting out asap and dropping revenue a line.

Or at least threaten this. If she's an accountant this might be enough to get her to cop on.

Th3B1tcH

Sorry about your Dad hope things workout you dont need this crap now
Your just a licensee as others posters have said so just move out settle all bills owned -250 (unless you have done 250 wroth of damage).
As for her being maybe being your future boss dont pay that any heed lots can change
If she gives you a hard time or any hassle report to guards or if concerns work talk to HR.
Also like The_Morrigan says over the limit with rent a room so even a threat from you to report her to revenue will probally stop her bullying you. (warn the other girl she may try do same.)
Some good advice posted here try follow it and you be ok but legally you only own bills and up to time you hand back the keys as licensee.
GL

allibastor

Hi OP,

Please dont pay this lady, if she was a manager in PWC she knows she is full of rubbish.

As others have said you need to toughen up, but if you need someone to speak on your behalf i would ask your HR in work, or drop me a PM. I love fighting with fools like your ll

moc moc a moc

Powerfairy wrote: »

She is very intimidating and is quite a bit older than me and she knows where i work so for an easy life i am tempted to just pay her off.

This kind of attitude is why people like her continue to get away with bullying people. Grow a spine and look after yourself. If I were in your situation, if anything, I'd be going after her for this "maintenance" money she took from the deposit.

And when you do move out, block her number, block her email and tell your workplace not to accept calls from her.

Terrlock

Your Landlord sounds like a complete chancer.

Trying too rob you of as much money as she can scam out of you while making you feel guilty about it....pure con artist.

Whats more she probably has herself convinced she is actually entitled to it and doing you a favour.

She sounds like nothing more then a bully.

If she is being scary it's just she knows that it works to get money out of you.

Stand up to her...you have nothing too loose and I bet she backs down quite quickly.

Move out, keep you deposit, just give her what you really owe her.

Powerfairy

Look I understand some people think I need to "grow a spine" I get that, but all I want is to end on good terms as I quite like the other girl I live with she is moving out in May with her boyfriend, so I wanted to make the situation as bearable as possible, my landlord is currently unemployed and collects social welfare as she left her job to return to education and finish her masters, so I think she has all her tax credits correct in terms of rent a room reliefs as the social welfare would have looked into this I would hope. I really would hate to rat someone out to revenue I would be afraid karma would kick ME in the arse, the only thing I personally think is fair on her is to pay January as I stayed in January pay the bills let her keep the deposit and if she tries to chase Me with a further 300 euros for the feb rent I will pull out the revenue card only if it goes that far big believer in its nice to be nice

drumswan

What are you letting her keep the deposit for? You are an adult now, you need to learn to stand up for yourself.

MarkAnthony

Powerfairy wrote: »

big believer in its nice to be nice

It is but business is business and people should be treated as they treat people.

Best of luck with it. I hope you're looking for as room if I'm renting one out!

foggy_lad

Powerfairy wrote: »

Look I understand some people think I need to "grow a spine" I get that, but all I want is to end on good terms as I quite like the other girl I live with she is moving out in May with her boyfriend, so I wanted to make the situation as bearable as possible, my landlord is currently unemployed and collects social welfare as she left her job to return to education and finish her masters, so I think she has all her tax credits correct in terms of rent a room reliefs as the social welfare would have looked into this I would hope. I really would hate to rat someone out to revenue I would be afraid karma would kick ME in the arse, the only thing I personally think is fair on her is to pay January as I stayed in January pay the bills let her keep the deposit and if she tries to chase Me with a further 300 euros for the feb rent I will pull out the revenue card only if it goes that far big believer in its nice to be nice

Tell her you want the deposit back or you will be reporting her to Revenue as well as the Social Welfare

Hollister11

Pay what you owe up to the day you leave the house. Don't pay for the rest of the month, she is defiantly chancing her arm "asking" for February's rent.

The_Morrigan

Her tax credits are not in order.

The maximum you can earn up to 31st Dec 2014 was €10k per annum, that has now increased to €12k.
If you earn over that amount you must pay tax on the entire amount and you are not entitled to DSP payments. I lost my entitlement to JSA because my lodger was paying me 5k a year, there isn't a hope she is unemployed, declaring all this income and receiving DSP payments.

You need to toughen up, you have said from the start this is all stemming from not having enough cash, she is fleecing you amd you are letting her. If you are training to be an accountant you have to be able to take a hard line, report potential issues and shop people to revenue if needs be, otherwise you will end up being a scapegoat to someone who can and will walk over you.

In this instance you have no recourse through the PRTB like a tenant does, you have to take control of this situation and just do what is right and legal and not be bullied into paying her bills and mortgage because you don't want to deal with the hassle.

She has no right to anything other than the rent for January and any outstanding bills. Nothing else should be paid.

Powerfairy

Thank you to the morrigan for your very infomed reply,
Ok so the plan of action is as follows:

1. Grow a back bone
2. I have to do a deep clean of the room tomorrow and ensuite which my LL will inspect to ensure its up to standard. She's advised that she will request 30 euro for a cleaner if not done to her standard
3. Move out Wednesday after big clean Tuesday, latest day to move out Thursday
4. Bank transfer on Friday when I get paid transferring rent and bills (as advised by the moderators and various other lovely helpful people deduct the deposit which makes me extremely nervous) transfer in total 550 + 100 bills - 250 deposit so 400 euro

5. Friday send a text advising what I have paid to her advise her that keeping my deposit is Unfair the room is perfect I have no lease agreement i signed nothing I can leave when I want and she can't charge ME for feb as I won't be there.

6. She will retaliate threaten revenue.

7. She could contact my place of employment. Main concern is this,

Thanks all. Let's hope this works....

scrimshanker

Powerfairy wrote: »

7. She could contact my place of employment. Main concern is this,

Thanks all. Let's hope this works....

She won't, on 2 counts.

1. She knows her own tax affairs aren't in order, she won't go screaming to a big 4 company about one of their employees doing what? Following the law?

2. You say she could possibly be your boss one day. That implies she's also an accountant/cfa or something. Might want a job with them some day. Hardly going to ****e all over her chances of that by complaining to them that their law abiding employee isn't giving in to her extortion demands (and when they follow up with you find out that she wasn't tax compliant either).

The_Morrigan

Powerfairy wrote: »

Thank you to the morrigan for your very infomed reply,
Ok so the plan of action is as follows:

1. Grow a back bone
2. I have to do a deep clean of the room tomorrow and ensuite which my LL will inspect to ensure its up to standard. She's advised that she will request 30 euro for a cleaner if not done to her standard
3. Move out Wednesday after big clean Tuesday, latest day to move out Thursday
4. Bank transfer on Friday when I get paid transferring rent and bills (as advised by the moderators and various other lovely helpful people deduct the deposit which makes me extremely nervous) transfer in total 550 + 100 bills - 250 deposit so 400 euro

5. Friday send a text advising what I have paid to her advise her that keeping my deposit is Unfair the room is perfect I have no lease agreement i signed nothing I can leave when I want and she can't charge ME for feb as I won't be there.

6. She will retaliate threaten revenue.

7. She could contact my place of employment. Main concern is this,

Thanks all. Let's hope this works....

She isn't entitled to charge you for cleaning unless she can can provide a receipt from a cleaning company.
Don't bother explaining anything in a text, she doesn't deserve the explanation. As an owner occupier I think her behaviour is appalling.

Tell your HR dept/manager about her antics. Block her email from your work email.
Do not take calls from her during working hours.

This isn't even about you having to grow a spine, this is a serious life lesson. You're going into a profession that comes across all manner of people, you have to be able to put your foot down and stand by your principles. I know this as I've been there. Try dealing with celtic tiger 'do you not know who I am' types while they are trying to get you to break all your procedures so they can move masses of money and property around. Just because someone is older/more senior/influential etc does not mean they are honest or trustworthy. You have to make a decision that protects you, whether that be personal or professional.

Kristopherus

Powerfairy wrote: »

Thank you to the morrigan for your very infomed reply,
Ok so the plan of action is as follows:

1. Grow a back bone
2. I have to do a deep clean of the room tomorrow and ensuite which my LL will inspect to ensure its up to standard. She's advised that she will request 30 euro for a cleaner if not done to her standard
3. Move out Wednesday after big clean Tuesday, latest day to move out Thursday
4. Bank transfer on Friday when I get paid transferring rent and bills (as advised by the moderators and various other lovely helpful people deduct the deposit which makes me extremely nervous) transfer in total 550 + 100 bills - 250 deposit so 400 euro

5. Friday send a text advising what I have paid to her advise her that keeping my deposit is Unfair the room is perfect I have no lease agreement i signed nothing I can leave when I want and she can't charge ME for feb as I won't be there.

6. She will retaliate threaten revenue.

7. She could contact my place of employment. Main concern is this,

Thanks all. Let's hope this works....

If she does anything under 6 and 7 report her to Revenue and DSP. She will have to answer to both.

foggy_lad

Powerfairy wrote: »

Thank you to the morrigan for your very infomed reply,
Ok so the plan of action is as follows:

1. Grow a back bone
2. I have to do a deep clean of the room tomorrow and ensuite which my LL will inspect to ensure its up to standard. She's advised that she will request 30 euro for a cleaner if not done to her standard
3. Move out Wednesday after big clean Tuesday, latest day to move out Thursday
4. Bank transfer on Friday when I get paid transferring rent and bills (as advised by the moderators and various other lovely helpful people deduct the deposit which makes me extremely nervous) transfer in total 550 + 100 bills - 250 deposit so 400 euro

5. Friday send a text advising what I have paid to her advise her that keeping my deposit is Unfair the room is perfect I have no lease agreement i signed nothing I can leave when I want and she can't charge ME for feb as I won't be there.

6. She will retaliate threaten revenue.

7. She could contact my place of employment. Main concern is this,

Thanks all. Let's hope this works....

She can threaten to charge you for all the cleaners in the world but as a licensee you were basically a guest and as long as you leave the room clean and tidy there is nothing she can do.

Your friend who still lives there is a big girl and can look after herself so don't allow this bully to use that threat against you.

I would be contacting revenue and the social welfare anyway but best wait till you move out, that will also give her something else to be doing instead of trying to contact your place of work.

As for her contacting your place of work, just tell them that she is unhinged and that is the main reason you have moved out. They should not entertain her and neither should you. Have you notified HR of your change of address?

BreadnBuddha

Kristopherus wrote: »

If she does anything under 6 and 7 report her to Revenue and DSP. She will have to answer to both.

Report her anyway.

Bambaata

BreadnBuddha wrote: »

Report her anyway.

Exactly! I'm sick of hearing about people and their self awarded "entitlements"!!

Powerfairy

Ok thanks Everyone, I am doing the big clean tonight, and moving out tomorrow, Then paying her Friday,
She is currently following me around the house any time I am there, this morning when I got up for work she was in the kitchen & starts to talk rent again (Abnormal behaviour this woman is unemployed and does not get up before 11)
Last night when I Got in from college at 10 she came down to the kitchen again, so she's trying to intimidate me big style. She has reiterated that what I am doing as consequences, the no notice etc, and she has no choice but to keep my deposit etc,. She has herself convinced I am completely out of order. which is the worst as in my nature I am very honest and was willing to let her keep the deposit I even offered like a COMPLETE FOOL To give her an additional 100 euro when she was freaking out yesterday that she would be tenantless and said I owed to 19th of Feb ,(A month as of yesterday as that's when she started to advertise) and the 250 deposit wouldn't cover it and leaves her exposed so she could of got 350 out of me ( I am embarrassed that I even offered that)
so life lesson learned. Cop the hell on, Move out asap & pay rent minus the deposit.

Thanks a mill to everyone.

The_Morrigan

Powerfairy I'm appalled at her behaviour and the sheer audacity of her actions. She is receiving 1150 euro before bills from the two of you (I'm assuming the rent is the same), you are paying her management fees and a portion of the bills.
To put this in perspective, I rent out the spare room in my apartment to a girl, she pays me 450 euro a month (fixed amount inclusive of bills). That doesn't include the property tax, the water charges, my management fees, tv licence or any of my insurance for the property as they are not the responsibility of the lodger.

I really hope revenue audit her when you report her antics.

RasTa

I live in D3, could give ye a hand moving if needed, she probably won't cause any scenes if someone else is there.

El_Duderino 09

Is there a site that shows the legal difference between a lisencee and a tenant? If you can find something to print out and give to her, it might soften her cough or at least distract her from harassing you around the apt.

Stick to the plan OP. You have right on your side.

MarkAnthony

Unfortunately the only thing people like that understand is being told where to get off in no uncertain terms.

Actually OP I'm going to admonish you a bit; if you say you're going to do something, do it; if you're not going to do it don't say it. It's one thing to agree to something patently unreasonable take advice and tell her you've reconsidered but don't promise an extra hundred then not follow through, that's not fair to anyone.

It's difficult learning to be assertive (and a real skill to do it politely) but well worth the effort.

Powerfairy

RasTa wrote: »

I live in D3, could give ye a hand moving if needed, she probably won't cause any scenes if someone else is there.

Thanks Rasta totally appreciate the kind offer, I have my friend coming tomorrow to dismantle the desk and he is a man so thankfully he will be able for her if she freaks out, which I don't think she will do. She told me not to leave until Saturday which is a ploy to try and get more money from me. & Tackle me as I will have paid Friday,

Because I pay in arrears I felt I owed her something hence my soft approach.

Thanks Guys, The_morrigan I really appreciate your advice as you are a owner occupier, so understand completely the other side of the fence, From your point of view being the "landlord" you can see she is being unfair and your knowledge esp in relation to the rent a room relief has been so beneficial. I cant thank you enough.

The_Morrigan

powerfairy, that is what we are here for. The regulars here have a vast array of knowledge.

good luck and do not take any crap from her.

Powerfairy

MarkAnthony wrote: »

Unfortunately the only thing people like that understand is being told where to get off in no uncertain terms.

Actually OP I'm going to admonish you a bit; if you say you're going to do something, do it; if you're not going to do it don't say it. It's one thing to agree to something patently unreasonable take advice and tell her you've reconsidered but don't promise an extra hundred then not follow through, that's not fair to anyone.

It's difficult learning to be assertive (and a real skill to do it politely) but well worth the effort.

Thanks Mark Anthony, I completely understand your opinion of me. I Am a soft touch, and I agree 100% as to what you are saying, It is a skill I should have learned by now at the age of 27. Stick to your word essentially.

witchgirl26

OP been reading this and can sympathise because it is tough when you're dealing with someone who seems to be as strong a personality as this person & as convinced in her own head as to what she is entitled to from you.

I can't see her ringing your place of work so don't worry about this too much. Although if you are on good terms with your manager, might be worth sharing this concern with them. Having trained with one of the other big four accountancy firms, they do not give a damn what you do in your personal life, as long as it doesn't result in a court action (& they get dragged into it) & you pass your exams! Oh & you don't get completely hammered on a work night out.

I do think it's a good idea to have someone with you when you move out. And also take pictures of your room as you're going so that should she try to pull anything, you have photographic evidence. If she threatens revenue, threaten it back & send her the information on licensees versus tenants.

Considering the stress she's causing you when you have so much else going on, I wouldn't bother trying to help her find another licensee. That's her issue, not yours at all. Mark her emails as spam when they start coming in & they'll automatically end up in that folder. Don't even reply to them.

Good luck and I hope that things with your dad go ok.

groovyg

Powerfairy wrote: »

I will pull out the revenue card only if it goes that far big believer in its nice to be nice

I know you are only starting out in the profession and still have to pass your exams and all, but thats incredibly naive view to take. Op you need to toughen up, if you want to be a successful accountant and survive working in that profession, yes its nice to be nice and have a pleasant manner but you also need to assertive, confident, and be able stand your ground on issues otherwise people will walk all over you. Get out of there as soon as possible and don't advertise the room in your place of work because then somebody else could get shafted by her. Its up to her to sort out the next tenant.

scrimshanker

groovyg wrote: »

I know you are only starting out in the profession and still have to pass your exams and all, but thats incredibly naive view to take. Op you need to toughen up, if you want to be a successful accountant and survive working in that profession, yes its nice to be nice and have a pleasant manner but you also need to assertive, confident, and be able stand your ground on issues otherwise people will walk all over you. Get out of there as soon as possible and don't advertise the room in your place of work because then somebody else could get shafted by her. Its up to her to sort out the next tenant.

OP I agree with this entirely. Plus, on the revenue front, you're kind of in a position where you HAVE to report her to Revenue. You're a trainee accountant working for a big 4 firm for crying out loud. You can't just let that slide.

Move out, take pictures, then transfer rent minus deposit and send her an email outlining the legal obligations with regards rent-a-room notice periods, attach the photos, note that no damage has been done and the room has been left as you found it and as such, you're forwarding on the rent and any bills for January (for which you ARE liable) minus what remains of the deposit (as there is no cause for its retention). Say that you're revoking your gesture of goodwill of offering to pay an extra sum. You offered that in goodwill because you wanted to maintain a good relationship, but her behaviour of harrassing you since you made that offer means that all goodwill is gone and you're under no obligation to pay her anything more than you owe, which has been transferred to her bank account.

When that's done...

Shop her to revenue.

Move on and forget her, don't help her replace you. If anyone asks if your room is now free say "well, yeah, but honestly it's free for a reason..." Don't screw a colleague over by linking them up with her!

Powerfairy

scrimshanker wrote: »

OP I agree with this entirely. Plus, on the revenue front, you're kind of in a position where you HAVE to report her to Revenue. You're a trainee accountant working for a big 4 firm for crying out loud. You can't just let that slide.

Move out, take pictures, then transfer rent minus deposit and send her an email outlining the legal obligations with regards rent-a-room notice periods, attach the photos, note that no damage has been done and the room has been left as you found it and as such, you're forwarding on the rent and any bills for January (for which you ARE liable) minus what remains of the deposit (as there is no cause for its retention). Say that you're revoking your gesture of goodwill of offering to pay an extra sum. You offered that in goodwill because you wanted to maintain a good relationship, but her behaviour of harrassing you since you made that offer means that all goodwill is gone and you're under no obligation to pay her anything more than you owe, which has been transferred to her bank account.

When that's done...

Shop her to revenue.

Move on and forget her, don't help her replace you. If anyone asks if your room is now free say "well, yeah, but honestly it's free for a reason..." Don't screw a colleague over by linking them up with her!

Thanks scrimshanker super advice right there. I will follow It most definitely ESP Re the photographs.

Also I don't think I was clear in my initial posts. I am not in a Big 4, I am a CPA Trainee, so Big 4 Was not an option for me, I came to the party late deciding to pursue accountancy, I work for a small but excellent little firm well its 400+ employees so Medium firm in Dublin 3 in a business park close to where I live eek...

It is the Landlord who works for the BIG 4 (Not anymore she left a 70k+ salary to return to education to upskill further) She is very focused, driven, & educated so when I moved in I admired her, but now I see she takes no prisoners. My fear was if I ever was to get that far and work for PWC Then she would in some way be over me, or be an influential character in that organisation. I know they were sad to lose her last April when she left to return to Uni.

I have taken the notice off the internal intranet in work for the room, I need to print off all the information on the rent a room relief and how she should be paying tax on it as income & notice periods for licensees to have ready when she challenges me, No agreement No Feb rent. & I am keeping the deposit the room is immaculate

Okay I will let you all know on Thursday how It has unfolded. FINGERS CROSSED. XX

_Kaiser_

OP, in terms of the advice given I can't really add to it except to reiterate that you shouldn't give a cent more than is actually owed to your landlord, and you should be looking for your deposit back in full if you've kept the room in good order.

But I'd echo the other advice you've been given as well - "it's nice to be nice" is all well and good, but there are times when you need to stand your ground and not take crap like your landlord has been dishing out either - especially in the career you're training for. You say she takes no prisoners, and from what you've posted it was working too until you asked for advice here... well in a way that's exactly what you'll need to do at times as well (albeit without the complete chancing and bullying/harassment she's been at).

Renting is (or should be) a professional business transaction where you pay for a service and expect a certain standard of accommodation AND behavior/responsibility from a landlord. In return for this you pay the rent on time, keep the place in order but that's it. It's a business and should be treated as such. While I accept that your landlord seems to be extremely hard to deal with, remember that you are PAYING her good money for your room too. Look at how you've been feeling the last few days.. you've been paying to be abused and stressed out!

If it were me, I'd tell her clearly when you're moving out and what she will be paid (with a breakdown if necessary). I'd also give her a copy of the laws around the rent-a-room scheme, her obligations and the taxation implications. I'd then refuse to discuss it any further with her and tell her she's more than welcome to take it up with the Authorities if she wishes - I certainly wouldn't be accepting calls and emails from her at work ... but from reading your last post it seems you're gonna do pretty much all this now anyway

Best of luck with the move, but do learn from this experience would be my advice and don't let yourself be walked on like this in the future.. either in renting, or in your career/life in general!

El_Duderino 09

If you're prepared to be bullied by her now because she might be your manager some day, what do you think will happen when she is your boss? You have already set the precedent that you will accept being bullied by her!

George McFly needs to lay Biff out!

eezipc

I had a similar situation a few years ago. I gave 2 weeks notice but the landlord (who lived in the same house) demanded I pay extra months rent and tried to keep the deposit. I threatened to call the guards and eventually got it sorted.
Turns out he was up to his ears in debt and could barely afford to pay the mortgage. He has since apologised to me for the way he acted.