Lodgings

[richfinch]

I live in lodgings, ie rent a room in a house, are there any rules about how i can protect my privacy / security of my belongings, ie, the landlords son( who is over 30) thinks its within his rights to enter my room, and even take things! Obviously difficult to bring this up with the landlord himself (as id be accusing his son of being a thief without any solid proof) , but do i have a right to not allow access top my room? and if so, how best to enforce it, eg could i put a lock on the door / install a room alarm etc
thanks
richard

[chelle7272]

I'm no expert but would say of douse you are entitled to your privacy and no landlord can enter premises you rent without notice.
Do you not have a tenancy / room rental agreement? Why not approach your landlord about it if not, it's a benefit to him aswell as yourself, this might be more subtle than a big lock appearing (you may aswell have just the accusation?).
Here's an example:
http://www.docstoc.co...eement-for-Residence/

[joko]

i had something similar at a b&b years ago...i woudl suggest you just move because this sounds like trouble but if thats not possible i woudl invest in some lockable things, such as a suitcase or a small safe, or even a proper large cabinet...because although they most certainly arent allowed to enter without permission and if youre not there...you also cannot have a lock fitted that they do not also have a key for too...that is a landlords right...so fitting a lock might be pointless

im afraid you will have to bring it up with them - threaten to leave
(the b&b i mentioned claimed they didnt have a key at all for my room and that itd be left unlocked all the time... i said i was leaving and miraculouslly a key appeared! i eventually left because they went into my room and actually binned some stuff because they felt it was rubbish !)

[Masked_Landlord_UK]

As a lodger, or 'excluded occupier' you have minimal rights (to go with minimal responsibilities). You would not be able to put a lock on the door as that would technically change the nature of your tenancy and have implications on both council tax and planning permission.

You could use a room-alarm, so long as it is not afixed to anything belonging to the landlord.

For valuables, it is possible to get lockabel steel A4 filing boxes (like an oversized shopping bag) for £14 from Argos (product 875/3830). That might be a worthwhile investment.

[bushbaby_de]

chelle, the provisions you refer to are for rented premises, not lodgers in a room of the landlords house. Richard, unfortunately you don't have the right to change anything about the room to make it more secure and if you aren't comfortable telling the landlord their son is a snooper you're probably better off finding different digs

[bozie69]

ive seen people like this before i lad i worked with few years back had no help from the land lord and was not allowed to put locks in also wanted to leave had to give a months notice but in that time he put a small cam in his room from the lights and it rec when he was not there ie work any way a week before he was leaving the landlords son came into his took money out ov a shoe box he kept in the draw ok it was only 30 he took but the lad went to the cops and they got the landlords son for theft not to sure what happened next has i left the work place but am sure it was all sorted out try this.