Its been a long time since i've had one of these dedicated to me being forever negative! I work away for the week and return on weekends to visit my girlfriend and friends. So heres the deal, I moved into a family home around 7 months ago to live from monday to friday. Parents work away a lot, teenage daughter around and son at university but returning during off time. I've been away for christmas from the 17th of December until the 3rd January (tonight) They knew i was going to be away for that period because i decided to leave them a small chocolate gift for christmas and write 'I'll see you in the new year' or some shite on the tag. I keep the room clean and i'm an extremely quiet and well mannered tenant (if i do say so myself!) So i return, something seems off..... The room appears different. I notice a pair of clearly broken cheap earphones and a water bottle on the top of my fridge (These are not my property) On leaving in December the bed had no bottom sheet having forgotten to bring one back, I returned and somehow i have a bottom sheet that doesn't belong to me. I brought two additional pillows with me and suddenly ones missing i just have two shitty pillows they provided and one of mine. Long hairs are on the desk and being a short haired male they certainly didn't come from me! My landlord and his family are all of caribbean origin and also don't possess that sort of hair on their heads either. The desk was thoroughly cleaned before leaving so its happened since i've been away. Theres also unusual red marks i can't tell if its paint or makeup or even blood. I bring this up with my landlord as he's away via text and ask what could have occurred since i've been away and was he aware of the unexpected visitor. he claimed 'As far as i'm aware the room was cleaned on New years day by ______' It looks clean i'll give you that so i'm sure thats entirely the case to some extent it appears dusted around the tv and the carpet seems clean. However who forgets to take their items out of the room on leaving and how vigorous can you clean to break your headphones? Why would you remake my bed and put on a bottom sheet when you know i take responsibility for my bedding? WHY WOULD YOU STEAL MY PILLOW!? My theory is with a history of house parties for their younger children and being aware i was away for the period it would be fine to have someone crash in a proper bed around NYE, The room would be cleaned on new years day so any changes visible could be taken as the cleaning process. This probably might have been done to the knowledge of the parents depending if they were local for NYE or not. During the clean the random items would not be removed because his wife cleaning would assume they're my property and not left from the guest of the son/daughter. the fact the sheet was not present before and the pillow is missing (probably stolen by another friend to crash in another room) is not consistent with someone just vacuuming or dusting and remaking the bed despite me leaving it pristine leads me to think someones trying to pull a fast one. I've not had a reply from my landlord since i've text him stating my confusion about the hairs and the pillow so either a) he's thinking of ways he can talk himself out of it or b) he didn't realise himself I know he's contacted his wife because the loud mouth son sarcastically made the 'OMG HE'S LOST HIS PILLOW' in-between shouting at his xbox and being a ****ing pleb. The missing pillow which was clearly not the predicament more that someone is trying to pull a fast one on me. My landlord also had the cheek to contact me on the 31st asking where my rent payment was despite me transferring it 3 hours previous! I've paid for someone to stay in my own room. All signs point to someone staying in my bed invading my personal space and potentially touching or fiddling with my possessions. Ultimately i'm leaving, whether it be in the next four weeks or not. I don't like being taken for a fool and having my privacy invaded when i was assured everything would be kept secure. Anyone else has any experience like this before?
Small update, i pulled back my duvet to replace the rouge bottom sheet to notice it had hairs on it. A sheet not belonging to me, covered in hairs. It just gets worse! I don't think anyone can talk their way out of this The top two rooms are rented out and i'm pretty sure the other tenant hasn't returned from his christmas break, I'm starting to wonder if my pillow could be in his room (all the better if it is!) which would clarify maybe both rooms were invaded during the holidays by uninvited guests. I've looked around to see if anything else looks different and the only other thing i've noticed is one of my best Famous stars and straps hoodies is missing. I don't remember taking it home with me because its not been cold enough. Its thick and with an embroided logo so when washed it always looks new I'm trying not to jump to conclusions but going back to their previous house party when i overheard my landlords wife say 'Nobody allowed upstairs, people steal remember?' leads me to think some skanky hoe MIGHT! (again i might have taken it back on a whim) have taken it for a laugh.
There's nothing you can do. You should accept that, find a new place and move on. You may need the landlord as a reference so any sort of retribution is just shooting yourself in the foot. Although I would get them to replace the pillow and hoodie.
Can you put a lock on your door, or are you not allowed for fire-code/other reasons? I'd invest in a discreet motion detect camera at the very least. If you're out more than ~£50 in lost items/damage then I'd push the issue, but otherwise it may not be worth being at odds with the landlord. Personally, I can think of far worse uses for an unoccupied room at a house party, so maybe finding just one colour of hair is actually a blessing in disguise.
I completely agree, It was very difficult for me not to blow my lid and my texts are very calm and just searching for some kind of explanation. I'm currently searching for a new place to live and will give my current landlord the courtesy of 1 months notice before leaving, I however will make no effort to find him a new tenant as i initially intended. I won't mention the hoodie (although I'm convinced its been pinched) I can however claim that my possessions had been moved/ruffled through and contained documents extremely personal to myself. No lock on my door, I didn't think i needed one. I appreciate this is their family home and where they respect my privacy its still their family home. i have no problems them entering the room while I'm away for legitimate reasons (check for damages, general investigation etc) but i pay to use it solely and not as a mon-fri let I feel the evidence i have against him is pretty solid, It could be perfectly reasonable that a drunk friend decided to use the room knowing i was away but they should have been aware of that risk and made it clear the upper rooms were off limits. The fact they didn't even hide any of the evidence is absolutely laughable He didn't respond before i left for work so I'll have to wait til i return to see how he could possibly explain this situation, Again after hearing their hushed discussions last night it suggests he might not have known and his son has probably lost him a long term tenant.
I would have called my LL and stated it is clear that someone has stayed in my room/bed while I was away as the bed has been made and it is covered in hair. If his response is not reasonable then look elsewhere for digs.
I'm not sure why you would bring up documents. That's not something he is going to compensate you for nor is telling him going to make much difference to the outcome. Have a look for your hoodie or ask around to see if anyone has seen it (parents, friends, etc) let your land lord know you think it may be missing from the room. If you find it in the mean time, tell him so and apologise. Hoodies are expensive. Keep in mind that if you lost or damaged any of your landlords property during your tenancy you can bet your bottom dollar you would be compensating him for it.
I would be majorly pissed off too but I would never, ever, move into somewhere without a lock on the door!
I questioned if he was aware of anyone staying (even if he said yes i pay for the room to remain private) and he denied any knowledge. to be honest if he asked me and maybe provided me with a smaller rent bill the following month (i mean like knock of a tenner or something!) i could accept someone use my bed respectfully for a few nights. Still no work back yet, I assume he is working so i'll let it go and expect something early evening. I've found a new house share so i need this initial mess resolved this week so i can arrange to move into the new one. Hopefully he might acknowledge after discussion with his kids/wife someone may have used the room without permission and he offer me at least an apology considering i specifically asked if the room would remain vacant when i was away. Then at least i can leave on somewhat good terms acknowledging this isn't a suitable place for me to live anymore I returned from work to his wife and son looking rather sheepish at me. They're being extra nice to me despite hearing the son sarcastically acknowledge the message had basically gone through. They're clearly not aware the walls and floor have absolutely no sound proofing. I think they're worried the 'Oh yes i have no intention of leaving for a few years' silent tenant is packing his bags to leave and they're going to get the wraith of a cash strapped landlord working away to keep his house afloat.
Seems a bit unfair to me. Personally I have no idea why you haven't a lock on the door? It would be like me leaving my house unlocked when I'm not there. The fact they said 'someone' cleaned the room seems strange, why would they clean the room you pay rent for? I rent out a couple of houses and the only time I clean them is when I tenant leaves and doesn't tidy up after themselves.
Pack up and leave politely (as you cannot firmly prove anything) but definitely. A landlord has no right using the room you are paying rent for, for personal matters.
I've just sent a polite text confirming my notice period, along the lines of. 'I appreciate you work away.... you may not have been aware.... my property has been tampered with..... i appreciate how lovely your family have been and you..... happy to help find a tenant while still renting...... accept this as my months notice i'm gone by january bitch!' I've passed the text to about 8 people to get their take on it, The happy to help find a tenant bit is complete ******** i just don't want to come off as the bad guy. Its kind of sad because he was pretty sound while i knew him, His family were ok besides being quite loud and keeping me up at night. they turned the boiler off at 6pm and when their stupid egotistical son came back he would run the hot water out in seconds so cold showers ahoy!! I think it will be good to shake things up a bit, i've found a houseshare with a live out landlord so being on an even playing field may make things easier Hopefully i get a lock!!
so a room your paying for is used without your knowledge, items missing and no reasonable response from the LL..... and you still give a month and dont want to be the bad guy? Stuff finding him a replacement, stuff his 1 month notice, pack your stuff up and leave in 7 days or earlier if it suits you. If its his son that has caused all this, as that is what I am reading from your tone, let them sort the crap out. TLDR: Stop being nice and move asap now that you have another place.
House shares with strangers aren't easy, but I think its a hell of a step up from your current digs situation.
