A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:Hey guys. Never been in this situation before and could really use a second opinion or two. I moved into a houseshare with a live-in landlady at the beginning of last month. I started off renting a single room, for which my landlady had stipulated no overnight guests were allowed. A couple of weeks later my new boyfriend came up in conversation, and a few days after that my landlady said if I wanted to I could move to a double room in the house (for a slightly higher rent), so my boyfriend could stay over sometimes. She then said that each night he stayed over would come with a charge of £10.At the time I thought nothing of it, but literally everyone to whom I've mentioned the situation thinks it's ridiculous and unfair of my landlady to charge me extra rent for my boyfriend's visits, especially since it's only one night per week. Admittedly the extra £40-50 per month is becoming a bit of a strain on my finances, relative to what I earn. But I don't know what's normal for a landlord/lady with regards to this issue.Another thing which kind of bothers me is that she will only accept my rent in cash. Also, the contract she said she would give me never arrived, so I've never actually signed a tenancy agreement.Any thoughts as to what I should say/do, if anything? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (6 November 2016): Hi
Just bear in mind for now and the future that renting without a written agreement or rent book means that you have absolutely no rights as a tenant. You could get home one day and find your stuff on the lawn and she wants you out! You would not have a leg to stand on because you have no tenancy agreement. I would never pay rent in this way. In your next place make a tenancy agreement a priority. And written proof of the payments you make. If you have no proof, your next landlady/lord could accuse you of falling behind on the rent, evict you with no notice or increase your rent outside of reason. You have to protect yourself in your next place and get out of this one if I were you.
A
female
reader, Barnes66  +, writes (5 November 2016):
 After reading your update..It's best to move on .I wouldn't be happy living under those conditions too...That's too much.Good luckin your future endeavors OP
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A
female
reader, Honeypie  + ♥, writes (5 November 2016):
 I would look for another place to live.
I get why she charges the extra 10 a stay, but... I doubt it adds up to 10 per night in water/heat etc. I think it's ridiculous. She is already charging you extra for a bigger room.
Not a place I want to live, add on the CCTV thing? Fraking creepy!
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (5 November 2016): Hi everyone, I'm the OP.Thank you so much for your input. Your ideas and opinions have given me a lot to think about. I'll be seeing my boyfriend later today and will bring up the subject then. I think the most likely option is for me to stay here until the end of next month, splitting the cost of the guest nights with my boyfriend (I'm sure he'd be happy to chip in - he did offer once before, but I felt bad about him being charged as well so I refused at the time), and find new accommodation for January. I have my doubts about the whole situation beyond the overnight charges, to be honest... because of how my landlady has installed CCTV out the front and back, how she leaves little passive-aggressive notes around the house when someone does something she doesn't like, how she's put posters in the laundry room and bathroom stating 'the rules.' Stuff like that all feels a bit much, to me anyway. So moving on is probably the best option for all concerned!Thanks again, guys. I'm very grateful and have rated all yours answers accordingly :)
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A
female
reader, CindyCares  +, writes (5 November 2016):
 I don't think it is unfair. Not very generous,yes. But not unfair nor illogical.
You pay slightly more for the double bedroom because of the bigger dimensions and greater comfort, BUT for a single occupancy, as agreed initially. It's not having a bigger room that gives you the right to bring in a person every night , if so you were inclined :)- but it is the stipulated agreement for single or double occupancy. Now,of course, she could let you have your overnight guest once a week out of kindness and friendliness - she COULD; but she does not have to. Her house, her rules. If you don't like what you are offered, you are free to look for better solutions.
I'd do that anyway, if you want a more commercial / professional landlord/tennant relationship. The fact that she only wants to be paid cash means that she wants to be paid off the books and evade taxes, so I am pretty sure that you'll never get the written contract you asked for and everything will remain a bit vague and depending from moods, and mutual ( and variable ) good will.
In the meantime- just have your bf pay the 40 or 50 £! ( I am a bit surprised he did not volunteer ). Or, if you want to be more "contemporary " and PC , split the sleepovers'monthly cost between you .
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A
female
reader, Youcannotbeserious + ♥, writes (5 November 2016):
 Why are YOU paying for your boyfriend to stay over? Can't he put his hand in his pocket and pay the £10 on the night he stops over? He can't expect to have lodgings for free. After all, he may be YOUR boyfriend but he is nothing to your landlady except an extra person in her house, which she is obviously using to make money.
Re the tenancy agreement and the cash-only payments, it sounds like she is trying to keep the money she earns to herself rather than sharing with the tax man. You should at the very least ask for a receipt for the money. You could insist on a written agreement but you run the risk of being asked to leave. Would you be able to find alternative accommodation?
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A
female
reader, Ivyblue  +, writes (5 November 2016):
 Hmmm...I kinda think she is a bit cheeky asking extra money if you are already paying extra for the double room but the thing is it is her house so she is free to charge that way just as you are free not to stay and find somewhere else. I would think that the cash is under the table if you have no contract agreement or get a receipt for money paid. Perhaps staying at his house would be the way to go especially if you are limited in options to rent elsewhere. You don't want to find yourself having to find a new house because of a new bf
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (5 November 2016): Here are the links. One is for the US so not applicable for you, but perhaps you could get legal advice regarding the same. The consensus seems to be that it could be legal. However like I said, make sure you get the agreement and sign it otherwise it'll be very murky.
https://www.theguardian.com/money/2016/jan/23/hidden-costs-facing-generation-rent
http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/archive/index.php/t-50692.html
http://discuss.settlement.org/topic40635-can-landlord-charge-extra-for-a-visiting-guest.aspx
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A
female
reader, Anonymous 123 +, writes (5 November 2016):
 Your landlady made it clear to you that there would be guests allowed overnight and if your boyfriend were to visit you then you have to pay the £10 extra. I think she was pretty clear and this leaves no room for any confusion.
If you think she's over-charging you then insist on a written agreement but be prepared to pay extra because if you work the numbers out, it's likely to be more than £10 a night for an extra person. Lets assume you pay a £100 a week, that comes up to a little more than £14 a day, so you're still saving £4 each time he stays over!
No one does anything for free these days and you cant and shouldn't expect your landlady to do you any favours, even if its for a day a week. If for you it means losing £40 a week, then for her its gaining £40 a week. Its not a small amount either way. Why should she part with it just because you think its unfair?
Maybe your boyfriend can pay or you can go to his place? That could be the other option.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (5 November 2016): It's a bit fishy that you haven't signed an agreement. It's not right for her to be collecting money from you without you officially being a tenant. Make sure she gets the papers ready or contact a lawyer to discuss your situation. As to your boyfriend I suggest going to his place if he doesn't have this extra rent issue. I'm not sure about the legality of your situation but did find some links online (having a bit of trouble pasting them; will try resending)
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A
female
reader, Aunty BimBim +, writes (5 November 2016):
 Look on the bright side, 10 pound a night is cheaper than a hotel ....
Currently there is a verbal agreement, because when she suggested you move to a larger room to accommodate your boyfriend's sleepovers you did not demur or say no.
You have a choice now to insist on a written rental agreement, with the extra rent calculated in or to continue as you are. Weigh up your options, what is the rent likely to be if you are charged properly for two people? Are you willing to cover that cost? If your landlady refuses to discuss or put your agreement in writing, or if you are unhappy with the charge would another rental be easy to find?
Or you could ask your boyfriend to cover the extra charges incurred when he stays over, or share the cost, that way neither of you could be accused of paying for sex to happen.
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