Hello there
I privately rent a 2 bedroom flat and after a bit of a change in circumstance I had to rent one of the rooms out (to a couple). Not particularly relevant to this post, but the couple were horrible to live with - tortured my cats, took over the flat, etc.
After 3 months (on the 2nd of July) I served them notice (the rental period of 1 month - so to 2 August) to leave as I had enough when I came home after a weekend away to find the flat a tip and my cats' timed food bowl had been actively blocked for days.
I emailed the tenants with this information, they replied acknowledging it.
I replied that they owed me money for bills (21 June - 21 July) which they reiterated that they'd paid (they hadn't).
On the 12th of July one half of the couple cornered me to tell me they were moving out that day and he would send me the financial breakdown of what I owed them.
It detailed pro-rated rent to run until the 12th of July (not to the 2nd of August) and no bills for June/July.
I replied that I would not be pro-rating the rent as their choice to move out early was their choice and we had agreed a month's notice period.
Whilst I know there is a very gray area with subletting / lodgers, and ultimately it's a civil / gentleman's agreement (there was no contract signed, etc) can anyone advise my position?
I don't feel it's appropriate to give same day notice on vacating the property and expecting not to pay for the remaining time, and no solicitors will speak to me because it is a gray area.
Communication from the tenants has been threatening and aggressive since I questioned the amounts, but I also don't want to be out of pocket for the 3 weeks. They are threatening to go to small claims, and the C.A.B. have indicated I have a pretty good case if I've served them fair-term notice (1 month) but if anyone can help with the next step or the best way to deal with this.
The pair are constantly calling, texting, emailing and harassing me all day and all evening which is disrupting my work and home life.
Thanks in advance.
I privately rent a 2 bedroom flat and after a bit of a change in circumstance I had to rent one of the rooms out (to a couple). Not particularly relevant to this post, but the couple were horrible to live with - tortured my cats, took over the flat, etc.
After 3 months (on the 2nd of July) I served them notice (the rental period of 1 month - so to 2 August) to leave as I had enough when I came home after a weekend away to find the flat a tip and my cats' timed food bowl had been actively blocked for days.
I emailed the tenants with this information, they replied acknowledging it.
I replied that they owed me money for bills (21 June - 21 July) which they reiterated that they'd paid (they hadn't).
On the 12th of July one half of the couple cornered me to tell me they were moving out that day and he would send me the financial breakdown of what I owed them.
It detailed pro-rated rent to run until the 12th of July (not to the 2nd of August) and no bills for June/July.
I replied that I would not be pro-rating the rent as their choice to move out early was their choice and we had agreed a month's notice period.
Whilst I know there is a very gray area with subletting / lodgers, and ultimately it's a civil / gentleman's agreement (there was no contract signed, etc) can anyone advise my position?
I don't feel it's appropriate to give same day notice on vacating the property and expecting not to pay for the remaining time, and no solicitors will speak to me because it is a gray area.
Communication from the tenants has been threatening and aggressive since I questioned the amounts, but I also don't want to be out of pocket for the 3 weeks. They are threatening to go to small claims, and the C.A.B. have indicated I have a pretty good case if I've served them fair-term notice (1 month) but if anyone can help with the next step or the best way to deal with this.
The pair are constantly calling, texting, emailing and harassing me all day and all evening which is disrupting my work and home life.
Thanks in advance.