Updating post from Reddit.
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I asked my previous lodger numerous times to clean up after himself. He didn't so now he doesn't live here anymore.
This is what I do not understand, its literally someone else's home. Wouldn’t you do your level best to maintain a standard. My husband is now reminding me of the trolley scenario. We make the effort to return our trolleys. It’s the same principal.
My lodger is moving out at the end of the month. Same deal. He’s a friend. But it’s my house and we discussed this a few times. It’s gross and the smell hits you when you come in the front door. I just don’t get it.
This was exactly how it was for us. The straw that broke the camel's back was coming downstairs for breakfast after a week away and there were no clean dishes, not even cutlery. It was all piled up on the side.
Just tell him? 🤷🏻♂️
No, it’s easier to come to reddit and look for a way to destroy the person 🤣💀
They are quite literally asking for advice on HOW to go about telling him. The only one talking about destroying people is you
Perhaps you need to say that as the bathroom is communal and used for guests it is not possible for it to be never cleaned ..
Note to self .. your ensuite is private to you .. the main shared bathroom is a common area and needs to be kept clean ..
How does cleaning of the kitchen get done ?
I would just say. Please clean the bathroom
Tell him your increasing his rent by x a week and hiring a cleaner
Yeah. - this isn't even a particularly sarcy response either and I did it with my lodger.
It got to a point where the problem was bilateral. I was busy with work and struggled to give it as much cleaning as I wanted - if I was living alone this would be alright as I was never there anyway, so I felt a responsibility to her. But also I wasn't happy that she was doing as much as I wanted, and I didn't want to nag (or have to).
So I basically got a fortnightly cleaner, split the bill in half, and added it to the rent, and made it clear that it wasn't optional. It's the fairest way.
Um, you need to talk to him. Not just about this but in general. It seems very weird to be communicating with someone who lives in your house by text message!
Sometimes it's useful to have proof of any communications and what was said.
Tell him to find a new place to live.
Yeah, why bother with direct communication. Better to evict someone than have an actual conversation with them.
Good grief.
Yeah, as others have said, you need to be direct. Is it in your lodger agreement that the communal areas need to be cleaned? If not, I'd advise you add it in next time.
If he refuses, then you can give him notice according to your agreement.
Having lodgers means keeping boundaries firm but fair. People get comfortable and drop them, so it's your job to manage upholding respectful and fair boundaries.
Lodger so ask him to leave. People need to behave respectfully otherwise they face the consequences.
Especially if you have asked already
Get rid of him find someone cleaner and make it clear from the start what the expectations of bathroom and kitchen are !
He is a lodger not a tenant. Tell him to clean the bathroom now.
If no result. 2. Give an option: you'll hire a cleaner and the rent will increase to reflect it, or they can find somewhere else to live.
Tell him to clean it directly or ask him to leave. Quite simple really
Increase his rent to pay for a cleaner?
That’s why I hated my last place, four adults using one bathroom and no one cleaned, it’s a never ending battle
It is the tenants responsibility to ensure the place is clean and tidy. This should be stipulated in the agreement. If you have not stipulated that you will do periodic inspections, you are in breach of privacy especially inspecting without his knowledge.
I don't mean this to be mean. But if you have to come to reddit to ask how to have a conversation with someone you live with, to clean a bathroom. Being a lodger may not be the best decision for you.
I put in the contract must keep the bedroom clean and allow periodic inspection with notice but only for the bedroom. I didn't not mention the bathroom unfortunately. Lesson learned for the next person
I would assume that includes the bathroom if that's apart of his area and solely for him. having it in writing is better.
He should absolutely clean it and start by having a normal conversation. If it persists then you may need to look at other actions.
What does your contract say about their responsibilities for keeping communal areas clean? If nothing, looks like you have to clean your own bathroom.
Communication goes a long way. The longer you allow someone to get away with not doing something the harder it’s going to be to get them to start doing it. Ask him politely to start cleaning up after himself especially in areas like the bathroom and kitchen…
I hinted a few weeks back saying I've bought some cleaning products for all the bathrooms in the house and he can use them. I guess the message didn't get through
Yes but you need to be more direct. Maybe he doesn’t understand that you’re asking him to clean the bathroom..
He is a lodger he has very few rights, you can ask him to leave in 48 hours if you wish.
It’s a little harsh, but it’s good to know the law, you are a live in landlord so he is under a common licence not a common tenancy which he would be if you did not live in. The right to quiet enjoyment of the property lies with you at this point.
Personally, I would insist that he be cleaner if he wants to stay in the property and I would be very clear of my standard, if he doesn’t comply then I would ask him to find somewhere else as we aren’t compatible living wise. Be kind but firm.
>He is a lodger he has very few rights, you can ask him to leave in 48 hours if you wish.
Lodgers have few rights, but reasonable notice is one of them.
This normally means at least one month.
48 hours notice for not cleaning a bathroom would be highly unreasonable.
48 hours notice is for major safety risks - not a falling out over bathroom cleanliness.
Yup you are correct, not sure quite where I got that from
The simple answer is to be direct, and if you can't do that, I think you shouldn't be lodging because this isn't going to be the first time you have a problem like this.
Tldr - Tell them to clean the bathroom or find a new place to live.
I would say, if you struggle to clean your self , please hire someone who can do it for you for ££
But as you are using it its your responsbility to get it done, if need help finding a cleaner . let me know