Housemate - Taking the P!ss??

DryBalls

Hi all,

I am just looking for some advice around my situation. About 5 months ago I finally found a room to rent in Dublin through an acquaintance who was moving out, I could take his room. I would be moving in with a man about 8 years older than me who had lived there for about 2 years already. The apartment has 2 rooms and the rent was split equally with the old housemate and this man. There was no lease, just simply paying the person moving out the deposit and the man who had lived there for 2 years dealt with rent and the landlord.

When I moved in, I was told I would be paying 100 more per month than the other man.So rent was split 450 to 650. He said it was because I have the en suite bathroom and he should have charged the last tenant that too but he was a friend so rent was split equally. That sounds fair enough but he has the main bathroom to himself with a bath and shower. It is double the size of my en suite (which has no bath) and he has stated that this is his bathroom that I am not to use it. His bedroom is also bigger with a double door leading on to the balcony. I didnt argue at the time as I was desperate.

He asked almost as soon as I moved in that he was going to get a dog and was that ok. I said it was fine as I loved animals so he got a puppy. I know it was my fault for saying yes but I didn't think this was how the situation would work out: Apartment stinks, the 2 sofas in the sitting room are destroyed with dog hair as the dog is on them constantly, the floors are covered in chewed up papers and toys. The dog is constantly barking and jumping all over you looking for attention which his owner just ignores. he also locks his dog in the bedroom for 10 hours or so while he works. He comes home, brings it outside for a 20 - 30 minute walk and then spends the night in front of the tv giving no attention to the dog. Its a puppy being locked in an apartment near 24/7

Another issue is use of the common areas. He has put his television and playstation in the living room and it is his to use only. We tend to work the same hours and every time I get home: He is sprawled in the living room. The kitchen and living area are the one room so I cook my dinner and go to my bedroom because I cannot use the space ever. He uses the living room to sleep in, to skype his girlfriend, to watch tv... never using headphones. And when I say constantly there, I mean constantly.To give an example, Once we were off on the same day and I had to study for an exam so I was forced to sit at the living room table to study ( no desk in my room). He was already in lying on the sofa watching tv before 11am. He knew I was studying and ignored his dog barking and jumping on me, had tv volume up on full and skyped nhs girlfriend and family with no headphones. I went to bed at 11pm that night and the only time he left the room was to pee. He was still in there when I went to sleep. The problem is worse now because for the last month he is only working 3 day weeks due to time owed so basically he is living in the living room forcing me to stay in my bedroom as I can hardly just sit there and watch his tv shows and skype sessions in a foreign language.

I am just looking for advice on this situation, I know I need to stand up for myself but I am so bad at that, I can hardly ask him to use the living room less, he lives there and I can hardly say we need to take turns with the tv as he owns it. I really dont know what to do and I am absolutely hating the living situation being stuck in my room all the time.

IsMiseMyself

Does the other fella own the flat? If not I'd be looking into the legality of it. No lease and an agreement that just changed because he felt like it is weird. Rent should be split evenly. Seems you both have nice rooms with bathrooms of your own. So that's a start.

As for the living room, he can hardly expect you to stay out of it because the telly is his. Whatever about the rent, you need to have a chat with him about that. The living room, in every house, should be a shared space. If the flat is his, it makes it more complicated, but he's just renting as well, then you've as many rights as he does!

El_Duderino 09

Like you said you just need to put your big girl panties on and stand up for yourself.

One thing I would say is that the TV belongs to him and it's not for you to use which might be fair enough (in a mean kind of way). But he needs to keep it in his room. There is no communal TV so if you bought a TV for your own use, where would you put it? Obviously you would be confined to your room unless you are prepared to share the TV and so should he be.

It's not a communal TV so it should not be taking up space in the communal area.

Besides that you need to be assertive or deal with being a second class citizen in your own house.

It's quite natural for the one who's been there for 2 years to assume more ownership of the house. You need to remind him that you both have exactly as much right to peaceful habitation of the house and I would have a serious word about how he treats the dog and how the dog impacts on your life in terms of smell and noise.

I hope it works out

qwerty1991

n/a ... my sister was logged in and used her a/c by mistake!

El_Duderino 09

Have a serious think about how the dog will affect your deposit. Passing on the deposit is a terrible way to do business. You have no idea of the condition in which the LL left the place so you could have accepted liability for all sorts of things that you don't even know about.

He might not want to give you the number of the LL but that has no bearing on whether you can have the number or not. Does that LL know hes subletting?

IsMiseMyself

qwerty1991 wrote: »

thanks for the reply, just to clarify he is just a tenant but he is the only one who has signed the lease and is basically subletting. He doesn't want to give me the landlords number or to contact the landlord over anything broken in the apartment as he doesn't want the landlord to put up the rent .

If you intend to stay in your flat, I'd have a proper look into that. I'd feel weird about someone (who's just a tenant) having so much of the power.

bjork

qwerty1991 wrote: »

thanks for the reply, just to clarify he is just a tenant but he is the only one who has signed the lease and is basically subletting. He doesn't want to give me the landlords number or to contact the landlord over anything broken in the apartment as he doesn't want the landlord to put up the rent .

Sounds more like he doesn't want the landlord to find out he is subletting

HeidiHeidi

bjork wrote: »

Sounds more like he doesn't want the landlord to find out he is subletting

Or has a dog. I'd be amazed if any apartment landlord would be ok with having a dog in his/her property. Never mind the management company.

I'd be getting the hell out of there, and reporting him to the DSPCA (for the dog's sake, not getting at yer man - who sounds like a right bundle of unpleasantness with whom I would most definitely not want to share an apartment!).

Endthescam

I'd get the landlord details. Tell him the situation, say he hit the dog without consultation and its destroying the house. Get him moved on.

fieldsmedal23

If you don't like living there op, I guess you could always leave. This is not North Korea.

IsMiseMyself

HeidiHeidi wrote: »

Or has a dog. I'd be amazed if any apartment landlord would be ok with having a dog in his/her property. Never mind the management company.

I'd be getting the hell out of there, and reporting him to the DSPCA (for the dog's sake, not getting at yer man - who sounds like a right bundle of unpleasantness with whom I would most definitely not want to share an apartment!).

Yeah I rent a house with three others and we're not allowed have a dog even though we have a big garden.

fieldsmedal23

IsMiseMyself wrote: »

Yeah I rent a house with three others and we're not allowed have a dog even though we have a big garden.

Good for you.

HeidiHeidi

Endthescam wrote: »

I'd get the landlord details. Tell him the situation, say he hit got the dog without consultation and its destroying the house. Get him moved on.

I'm hoping you meant this :eek:

Help!!!!

The main bathroom is then communal if you have en-suite & you are paying extra. Otherwise he needs to pay more as he also has a private bathroom

Tell him to remove his tv & playstation if you are not allowed to use them

The lounge is communal if he doesn't want to share then it shouldn't be there


Tell him if he doesn't comply to your demands you will look for legal advice or at the very least speak to the LL

beyondbelief67

Would the person you found the apartment of ( friend/acquaintance) know the landlords name and contact details ?

bur

You are living with an asshole. Find other accommodation, it's not worth the grief.

the_syco

bur wrote: »

You are living with an asshole. Find other accommodation, it's not worth the grief.

This.

Endthescam

the_syco wrote: »

This.

I'd tend to agree but part of me would take delight in messing up his cozy little situation. The OP might come out on top here if he plays his cards right.

MouseTail

Endthescam wrote: »

I'd tend to agree but part of me would take delight in messing up his cozy little situation. The OP might come out on top here if he plays his cards right.

How? By agreeing to the dog, they are both at fault here, and the deposit is likely gone.

El_Duderino 09

El_Duderino 09 wrote: »

Have a serious think about how the dog will affect your deposit. Passing on the deposit is a terrible way to do business.

Maybe, but it's fairly standard practice in houseshares especially if there is a fairly regular turnover of tenants. The op will most likely be doing the same (i.e. Getting deposit from the next tenant). It probably won't be until the apartment is handed back totally the LL will get involved.

Endthescam

MouseTail wrote: »

How? By agreeing to the dog, they are both at fault here, and the deposit is likely gone.

Don't tell the landlord that. The guy is being an asshole so best not to play fair.

Squatman

yea op you really need to stick up for yourself. First things first. Rent is to go back to 550 each - i would be inclined to look for receipts here too as he could be ovecharging you. 2ndly get his tv outta the living room, or demand equal use of it. Thirdly, if he is causing upset when skyping ask him to do it in his room (he may be blissfully unaware hes being a nuisance) 4thly demand he clean up after his dog, keep him quiet and looked after, otherwise the dog will have to go, as its #"just not working out". he may just need to have the line drawn for him - or just a kick in the hole. dont leave the apt without discussing where you stand

El_Duderino 09

MouseTail wrote: »

How? By agreeing to the dog, they are both at fault here, and the deposit is likely gone.

The OP didn't get a dog. It's totally normal to expect that the housemate cleared it with LL before getting the dog.

I'd want to be sure of the rent the LL is charging. For all OP knows, the housemate might be charging extra.

I'd get the number from the last housemate and call the LL to introduce myself and establish whether you are renting from them or from the housemate and how much the rent is in total. Don't mention the dog.
LL almost certainly doesn't know about the dog so I'd tell him exactly how things need to change or I'd speak to LL about how the dog is adding extra wear and tear. If he doesn't want LL to know about the dog then he'll have to cop on.

Sligo1

Seriously... WHY are you still living here?? You have no lease and have not signed anything. OP get the hell out. you owe him nothing. And you owe the landlord nothing if you have not signed a lease. Get someone else in. Or just leave and don't pay the last months rent. As you have not signed a lease he is not entitled to chase you for any further rent. Also to add... Obviously using deposit as last months rent advice is not permitted on this forum... However... For all you know, the last tenant who you gave your deposit to has your money. The landlord certainly hasn't... You didn't give it to him....

IsMiseMyself

Even then, for all you know there could be a rule about sub-letting and the landlord may not even know there is another tenant. Could be a major can of worms opened here, OP.

Doolittle51

DryBalls wrote: »

When I moved in, I was told I would be paying 100 more per month than the other man.So rent was split 450 to 650.
(

650-450 = 200. You're getting ripped off massively. €200 extra a month for an en-suite room, when he has exclusive use of the main bathroom, is insane. Start looking for a new place to live now. No good will come of this situation.

the_syco

Squatman wrote: »

Rent is to go back to 550 each

Why? Seriously now. Why? The OP is renting at 650.

OP; get a new house. How much of a deposit did you pay? Can't see anyone moving into the house with the dog there. The person you live with nor the landlord has your deposit, so unless you get someone to swap, you lose your deposit.

If you do move out, and can't get another tenant to replace you (and thus get the deposit) because of the dog, ensure you screw over the other tenant and let the landlord know that you're moving out due to the dog.

MouseTail

I agree, you wont come out on top here. The LL has a tenant who has been living there 2 years with the accumulated rights. You, being there less than 6 months, have very little rights. You agreed to the unfair rent allocation, you agreed to the dog. Cut your losses and find somewhere else.

El_Duderino 09

Doolittle51 wrote: »

650-450 = 200. You're getting ripped off massively. €200 extra a month for an en-suite room, when he has exclusive use of the main bathroom, is insane. Start looking for a new place to live now. No good will come of this situation.

You're probably right but it would be mad to just move without even trying to sort it out. The lad might be a pussy cat. One sign that the OP isn't willing to be taken advantage of might be all it takes too get an even split... or it might end up with the OP moving. Worth a shot at least

El_Duderino 09

MouseTail wrote: »

I agree, you wont come out on top here. The LL has a tenant who has been living there 2 years with the accumulated rights. You, being there less than 6 months, have very little rights. You agreed to the unfair rent allocation, you agreed to the dog. Cut your losses and find somewhere else.

If the other housemate has broken the lease by getting a dog then the op has leverage if he wants to use it. Either with the housemate or the LL

James 007

Buy a TV and put your TV beside his TV, make sure it has decent volume. Turn it on (of course put it onto a different channel to the one he is watching). Sit down beside him and offer him a cup of good Irish Barrys tea.

Victor

fieldsmedal23 wrote: »

Good for you.

Welcome to boards.ie

Whatever your intention, that sounds like a very snide remark. Such remarks aren't welcome

Moderator

Squatman

the_syco wrote: »

Why? Seriously now. Why? The OP is renting at 650.

OP; get a new house. How much of a deposit did you pay? Can't see anyone moving into the house with the dog there. The person you live with nor the landlord has your deposit, so unless you get someone to swap, you lose your deposit.

If you do move out, and can't get another tenant to replace you (and thus get the deposit) because of the dog, ensure you screw over the other tenant and let the landlord know that you're moving out due to the dog.

The reason this should happen, is the op has come to an agreement with the housemate, which is unfair as I see it, and if anyone else sees this as being fair please get back to me, but they both have exclusive rights to a bathroom under this agreement and therefor neither party has it better.

Regards the advice in your second paragraph i would advise that the op stand his ground and not run from his/her problems. that is just childish. (as is telling tales on the housemate behind his back). Whilst i would often agree to cut losses, in this case, the op has not confronted the housemate in any way, shape, or form, and it would be erroneous of him to leave, without trying to alter the living agreement.

Michael D Not Higgins

OP, I'm inferring from your post that you haven't even raised an issue with the roommate. He doesn't even know what's bothering you as you've agreed to everything thus far. You have two options, move out, or try to work it out.

Kelly06

DryBalls wrote: »

There was no lease, just simply paying the person moving out the deposit and the man who had lived there for 2 years dealt with rent and the landlord..

Looks like the op is a licencee of the tenant. If you have no lease and you are paying your rent to this chap then effectively he is acting as your landlord. You can assert yourself but if he asks you to leave you have no rights or recourse really. You could contact the landlord alright about subletting and the dog but you can't be sure that the landlord doesn't already know about this already?

ABajaninCork

Kelly06 wrote: »

Looks like the op is a licencee of the tenant. If you have no lease and you are paying your rent to this chap then effectively he is acting as your landlord. You can assert yourself but if he asks you to leave you have no rights or recourse really. You could contact the landlord alright about subletting and the dog but you can't be sure that the landlord doesn't already know about this already?

I'd lay money neither the LL nor the Management Co know about the dog...

Kelly06

ABajaninCork wrote: »

I'd lay money neither the LL nor the Management Co know about the dog...

Possibly not but op has no relationship with the landlord so how would you locate them? If he / she is lucky the PRTB might have details if the landlord is registered.

DryBalls

Hi all, thanks for your replies. Just in relation to some people saying that maybe my housemate isn't aware of these issues as I haven't said anything... he is in his early thirties and has house shared with people for years... i am sure he is aware, it's not like he is 18 and living out of home for the first time. I have made the point in the last few days of running to get on to the sofa first when i finish work (childish I know) and putting on tv on my laptop thinking maybe seeming I was here first I could relax in the sitting room and watch some tv, albeit on my laptop, for the evening. Maybe if I did this two or 3 times a week he may get the point. Only to have him come in, sit on the other sofa and turn up the volume on the television until I couldnt hear my laptop.

Also I didnt realise that I could be liable for the dog. I simply said I didn't mind if he got a dog. The dog is nothing to do with me, my name isn't on the lease just my housemates so how could I be liable? I know legally if both our names were on the lease, we would be jointly liable and I would have to privately go after him for the cost although most decent housemates would pay solely for damage caused by them. I just assumed that any damage caused by my housemate would be his problem especially seeing as it is his name on the lease and I am just subletting. So does this mean that if the dog chews through a wire the housemate may ask me for 50% of the costs to fix it? That doesn't seem fair.

And I asked him last night for the landlord's number, just to have in case of an issue and he said he would give it to me later. He basically fobbed me off. He again restated that he did not want to contact the landlord about anything as the rent is a good deal below market value due to the absentee landlord and he is afraid by contacting the landlord to get something fixed, the landlord may decide to raise the rent. There has recently been issues with the water. The pump is not working correctly and the water is going intermittently... it is only a matter of time until it breaks completely but he is refusing to contact the landlord saying that he will shower at work etc if that does happen.

Does anyone know how I could contact the landlord? The previous tenant doesn't have the number either. I have tried to check the PRTB to see if the house is registered but it keeps asking for my pps number etc. which I do not want to give, especially if it turns out the apartment is not registered. I have no idea who the management company is either, I dont know is there a website containing big management companies so I could ring around a few and see if they manage my apartment block.

I am looking for a new place. This tenant has decided that this is his apartment and is only renting out that room to make it cheaper for himself. He has no concept of sharing The apartment is falling to rack and ruin due to his tightness. He is very selfish to live with and I can see why he goes through housemates every 6 months or so. I am sure the landlord would be very unhappy at the state the apartment is in, the dog etc. and also the way this tenant is acting as if he owns the apartment causing reasonable tenants to move out.

Joolzie

beyondbelief67 wrote: »

Would the person you found the apartment of ( friend/acquaintance) know the landlords name and contact details ?

Threshold will give you the LL's phone number

Whatever way you look at this, unfortunately it's not going to work out.
Find somewhere else.
This whole situation is a disgrace, the LL will have a fit when he hears about the dog.
Have a look at the Threshold website, they are there to help you.
Best of luck!

Michael D Not Higgins

DryBalls wrote: »

Hi all, thanks for your replies. Just in relation to some people saying that maybe my housemate isn't aware of these issues as I haven't said anything... he is in his early thirties and has house shared with people for years... i am sure he is aware, it's not like he is 18 and living out of home for the first time.

Whatever about the common areas, you agreed to the rent, you agreed to the dog. These are two of your main complaints in the original post. If you have a problem you need to voice it.

By the way, the landlord isn't going to care about the amount of rent you pay or the issue of the common areas. The dog might be another issue but it's hardly worth your time trying to chase it up.

I am looking for a new place. This tenant has decided that this is his apartment and is only renting out that room to make it cheaper for himself. He has no concept of sharing The apartment is falling to rack and ruin due to his tightness. He is very selfish to live with and I can see why he goes through housemates every 6 months or so. I am sure the landlord would be very unhappy at the state the apartment is in, the dog etc. and also the way this tenant is acting as if he owns the apartment causing reasonable tenants to move out.

Technically it is his apartment. You are subletting from him. He is the de facto landlord in this situation. Just move as soon as the opportunity arises.

Squatman

DryBalls wrote: »

Hi all, thanks for your replies. Just in relation to some people saying that maybe my housemate isn't aware of these issues as I haven't said anything... he is in his early thirties and has house shared with people for years... i am sure he is aware, it's not like he is 18 and living out of home for the first time. I have made the point in the last few days of running to get on to the sofa first when i finish work (childish I know) and putting on tv on my laptop thinking maybe seeming I was here first I could relax in the sitting room and watch some tv, albeit on my laptop, for the evening. Maybe if I did this two or 3 times a week he may get the point. Only to have him come in, sit on the other sofa and turn up the volume on the television until I couldnt hear my laptop.

Also I didnt realise that I could be liable for the dog. I simply said I didn't mind if he got a dog. The dog is nothing to do with me, my name isn't on the lease just my housemates so how could I be liable? I know legally if both our names were on the lease, we would be jointly liable and I would have to privately go after him for the cost although most decent housemates would pay solely for damage caused by them. I just assumed that any damage caused by my housemate would be his problem especially seeing as it is his name on the lease and I am just subletting. So does this mean that if the dog chews through a wire the housemate may ask me for 50% of the costs to fix it? That doesn't seem fair.

And you think he is the childish one? Grow a pair, and stick up for yourself, you cant hide from confrontation all your life. Just dont get into a row.
Say something like this "I need you to remove your telly from the communal area, if you are not going to share it" Most people are not telepathic, but it sounds like you are both passive aggressive

Michael D Not Higgins

Joolzie wrote: »

Threshold will give you the LL's phone number

Whatever way you look at this, unfortunately it's not going to work out.
Find somewhere else.
This whole situation is a disgrace, the LL will have a fit when he hears about the dog.
Have a look at the Threshold website, they are there to help you.
Best of luck!

Where are Threshold going to get the landlord's number from?

Joolzie

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

Where are Threshold going to get the landlord's number from?

They have a copy of all lets from the PRTB.

Michael D Not Higgins

Joolzie wrote: »

They have a copy of all lets from the PRTB.

Not that I know of. They are a housing charity, why would the PRTB give them their database?

Edit: even if they had the information, how can they verify who they're giving it out to?

Joolzie

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

Not that I know of. They are a housing charity, why would the PRTB give them their database?

Edit: even if they had the information, how can they verify who they're giving it out to?

Because Threshold is there to sort out tennant/Landlord issues, for the tennants. How could they possibly do this without being able to speak to both parties to sort out issues?,

DryBalls

Squatman wrote: »

And you think he is the childish one? Grow a pair, and stick up for yourself, you cant hide from confrontation all your life. Just dont get into a row.
Say something like this "I need you to remove your telly from the communal area, if you are not going to share it" Most people are not telepathic, but it sounds like you are both passive aggressive

Hi, Yes I am aware that this living situation is turning me crazy, and am looking for a new place.

But tbh I think it is my housemate is being the passive aggressive one. After months of living there, I am in the living room watching tv on my laptop (for the first time while he is at home) which I am perfectly entitled to do and isn't passive aggressive at all I dont think.

He came into the living room and saw me there, said hello and then sat down and turned on his television on and turned up the volume until I couldnt hear my laptop. I think that is him behaving in a passive aggressive manner, not me. I just left which is exactly what he wanted me to do.

Yes I should have said something but my show was almost over and I was heading out so i did not want to cause an argument over ten minutes more of my tv show. But I think he was in some weird way asserting his dominance over the communal space.

Tbh I am moving out, this man is too selfish to live with but I am struggling to find out ho to contact the landlord/management company as I do not have the number. i really want to report my housemate to my landlord as he is allowing the apartment to fall into disrepair, is breaking the lease (i assume) by having the dog and I just want to let the landlord know.

I am telling my housemate this evening when I finish work that I am staying in tonight watching a movie on his tv with some friends in the living room and if he is unhappy to move the television into his bedroom and we can watch it on a laptop instead. I am done trying to be nice and cannot wait to leave!

Michael D Not Higgins

Joolzie wrote: »

Because Threshold is there to sort out tennant/Landlord issues, for the tennants. How could they possibly do this without being able to speak to both parties to sort out issues?,

How this normally works is that the tenant contacts Threshold already knowing the landlord's contact details.

Joolzie

Michael D Not Higgins wrote: »

How this normally works is that the tenant contacts Threshold already knowing the landlord's contact details.

My flatmate got LL mobile from Threshold!

foggy_lad

@DryBalls As it stands at the moment you appear to be subletting from this pig that you pay rent to. as you are living with your "landlord" you are no longer classed as a tenant and have no recourse to the PRTB. You appear to be a licensee which leaves you with no real rights. You are this other persons paying guest and as such he can throw you and your belongings out the door any time he wants! To me it sounds like he might even be the owner of the property.

You need to find a new place to live quickly and If I was in your position I wouldn't be bothering to find out who a landlord is but I would be thinking about how I was going to get my deposit back!

This is how this guy gets new tenants so often! when people find out what he is like they want to leave but they have given their deposit to a previous tenant so the only option for those leaving is to find a new tenant victim who will pay them back their deposit.

5rtytry56

DryBalls wrote: »

I am telling my housemate this evening when I finish work that I am staying in tonight watching a movie on his tv with some friends in the living room and if he is unhappy to move the television into his bedroom and we can watch it on a laptop instead. I am done trying to be nice and cannot wait to leave!

he does'nt do nice.
Watch movie on your laptop from the beginning of the movie.
Ask him to move tv into his own bedroom - he'll switch it on in the living room and try to watch it.
Then he'll put the volume on too loud.
Then tell him to move with his telly to his bedroom.
let your friends know beforehand about how the drama will unfold.

Michael D Not Higgins

Joolzie wrote: »

My flatmate got LL mobile from Threshold!

The only way I can imagine this worked is if Threshold had dealt with the landlord before and had details on file.