Renting out spare room - noise issues tenant

Fiona · 31-10-2022 9:39am #1

We have been renting out our spare room for the last 2 months. We have had to ask the tenant numerous times to use headphones when on the phone.

He is constantly speaking to his girlfriend and he has her on speaker phone early in the morning (before 11am my partner works shift so he does nights) The television we have provided in the room is also up full blast some mornings and we have offered to buy him headphones.

Can I provide written warnings in this situation, my first time renting out a room so I am a bit clueless. I did a tenancy agreement and I have the following in it:

'The Tenant agrees to control and minimise any noise in the house (including TV, radio and such instruments) after 10.00pm'

Is it possible to amend it? We did verbally say to him 11am / 11pm was the noise limits after the first time we had to ask him to turn down the tele at midnight one night and when he woke us up on the phone one morning.

He is a nice lad but my god the phone is getting unbearable, I just don't see how he doesn't see having his phone up full blast at 9am in the morning is not a problem when he knows another person living in the house has been working nights!

31-10-2022 9:43am

You’re not cut out for this

berocca2016 · 31-10-2022 9:47am

Is it your house that you own or you are the sole person on the lease with the landlord? If so the person is not a tenant, they are a licensee and have little to no actual rights in comparison to a tenancy agreement.

If so, the contract that you made him sign has little to no legal validity regardless so what you say literally goes. You would be legally within your rights to make any stipulations.

moceri · 31-10-2022 9:49am

Sharing your home always includes compromises

KaneToad · 31-10-2022 9:52am

This is a licensee arrangement. You can ask occupant to leave with minimal notice. He can also leave with minimal notice.

https://threshold.ie/faq/i-am-a-tenant/

His behaviour isn't outlandish but it is incompatible with what you require. He is better off in a scenario that is not as restricted as yours.

You could mention it to him that you don't think arrangement is working out and outline the reasons why. He may modify behaviour but he may decide to seek alternative arrangements.

The other option is to end arrangement and get a more suitable licensee who is aware of the restrictions from the start.

You should also consider whether your situation is compatible, at all, with a licensee.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 10:02am

Just for some context on this

Saturday morning we were woken up by him having a full scale row with his girlfriend on the phone. I had to knock on the door and ask him to stop.

Yesterday morning woken again at 8.30am with the tele up full blast

This morning, the girlfriend on the speaker phone again at 9am I had to text him to turn it down.

Myself and my partner use headphones all the time on our phones, we tip toe around the house in the morning as we get up before him.

There is no respect returned by way of noise control and it's draining at this stage, there is no limits on times of showers or cooking that's free reign in the house and the sitting room is his to use just no phones on speaker phone and keep the tele down low is the only thing we are asking for here.

road_high · 31-10-2022 10:03am

Kick them out

Fiona · 31-10-2022 10:04am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814689#Comment_119814689

Yeah it's our house.

My partner's daughters (12 & 13) stay withs us every second weekend and they even tip toe around in the morning and use their headphones so as not to wake others so I mean if a child can understand the logic of being quiet when somebody gets home from work at 4am.......

callaway92 · 31-10-2022 10:05am

As a previous poster said, you’re not cut out for it

Cut your ties with him now and remove him from the house. No matter what, anything he does now will annoy you, even if he makes minor adjustments

I’d worry (just by the time of your posts here) that you may struggle to remove him though

Fiona · 31-10-2022 10:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814712#Comment_119814712

Yeah I thought we were being nice not imposing resrictions on shower and cooking times as I have heard some horror stories of people not being allowed to shower after a certain time but getting woken up on a Saturday morning by people having a fight is not cool.

I WFH and I won't take calls until 11am when he is on his day off - starting to get really annoyed that respect is not being reciprocated back ya know?

berocca2016 · 31-10-2022 10:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814743#Comment_119814743

I think that maybe regardless of the legality, that maybe it would be hard to find a licensee who will stay quiet. Like using the phone at 9 am is completely reasonable in a normal situation.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 10:08am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814703#Comment_119814703

Fully agree but the respect we are giving him to have a comfortable and relaxing home environment is not being reciprocated back so now I just need to learn about my options.

Tonesjones · 31-10-2022 10:10am

The noise he is making is during "normal " hours. Daytime hours.

A)

You need to get a tenant who works shift work also

B)

Get a different shift hours

C)

Stop trying to be a landlord and leave the room empty

Furze99 · 31-10-2022 10:10am

One final warning and make it clear.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 10:11am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814748#Comment_119814748

So just so I know is it acceptable for people to be using their phones like that in a rental situation?

As I said he is a nice lad, he is clean and tidy the phone is the only issue so I wouldn't say I am not cut out for it just because of one issue.

I could easily just start waking him up at 5.30am in the morning and be petty and have my Mam on speaker when I am in the shower and then we would all be even ya know.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 10:15am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814765#Comment_119814765

But what are considered day time hours at the weekend? Would it not be a little bit later in the day?

The weekend is where we have the problems x

Tonesjones · 31-10-2022 10:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814781#Comment_119814781

8 in the morning most of the world is up and active.

callaway92 · 31-10-2022 10:17am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814768#Comment_119814768

I would say it is acceptable. To be brutal about it, the hours he’s on the phone aren’t unreasonable - It’s just unlucky that your husband works shift - but that’s not the tenant’s fault. That’s an awkward term for any tenant to deal with, having to tiptoe at a reasonable hour

Fiona · 31-10-2022 10:19am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814766#Comment_119814766

Yeah I will have to have a proper chat with him.

I have said it before if the bedroom door is closed somebody is sleeping so just keep it down and if it's open you can scream shout as loud as you want and I won't care.

Once everybody is awake I don't care how much noise ya make!

Caranica · 31-10-2022 10:22am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814768#Comment_119814768

Once again it's not a rental system. He is a lodger. You shouldn't need rules about phone use or TV volume. He either respects you and your home or he finds somewhere else to live. You have the power here, use it.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 10:26am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814787#Comment_119814787

If he just didn't have her on speaker phone up full blast it would be grand, if somebody is speaking a bit low on the phone nobody is going to bat an eye lid at that.

Maybe I am just too nice in that he is paying to live here and when my partner is out the door at 5am and I am starting work across the landing from him I am quiet as a mouse so as not to wake him cos I know how hard it is for people these days and we all just want somewhere nice to call home.

I helped him out he had to leave his girlfriends house at short notice, he is very young as well. This is what happens when you do a good deed lol

Giblet · 31-10-2022 10:42am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814811#Comment_119814811

A good deed? He pays you.

cuttingtimber22 · 31-10-2022 10:44am

Some tough love needed. He is not compatible. And no not unreasonable for you to be annoyed that someone uses the speaker for phone calls and keeps in mind the noise of the tv/music. As you say no excuse with headphones offered. I have rented out rooms and it is always give and take but within established rules.

SteM · 31-10-2022 10:48am

You're kidding yourself OP. You say it's just the phone you have issues with but it's not, it's the TV too so it's really a noise issue.

The real problem is your partner's shift work, you're asking someone to pay you to rent a room but they're not allowed to make noise between 8am and 11am when most people are up and about. You need someone that works the same hours as your partner or you need to stop renting a room in your house. The kids being quiet means nothing, they're not paying rent like the lodger.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 11:01am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814854#Comment_119814854

Yes, the room was not available until a certain date as we didn't have it finished yet and we gave him a bed for two weeks in my step daughters room as he was badly stuck at a reduced rate as he was desperate for a bed.

I know he pays, but you would think when somebody helps you out that you could give just a little bit back but lesson learnt.

Still stihl waters 3 · 31-10-2022 11:10am

Its not normal hours if the owner and other resident has laid out the rule that the hours are 11 to 11 for keeping the noise down due to 1 person doing shift work, the majority of the rest of the world may operate from I in the morning but the rules in this situation are 11 to 11 which the licencee knows about, it's just lack of respect if he carries on ignoring what is not a very unusual rule with someone working night shifts

Fiona · 31-10-2022 11:12am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814878#Comment_119814878

If the television was a bit lower it wouldn't be a problem, the room is small, he has it up at about 20, there is just no need. I have offered to buy bluetooth headphones. I could be a right hag and take the tele off the wall lol.

I would certainly be a lot clearer on rules around morning noise next time around, pointless me being quiet in the morning for the benefits of others. My partner does not work nights all the time, I have the shift on view for the tenant to see along with the kids schedule so he knows when his girfriend can come over to stay without asking.

I have been too nice from the start with not enough clear rules lesson learnt!

gameoverdude · 31-10-2022 11:14am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814917#Comment_119814917

Put the foot down, or ask them leave.

You've asked them to keep it quiet, you should have told them.

If you really need the dosh then get somebody else and outline the rules.

As somebody else mentioned, it's not a favour. You're getting money. Stop with the mammy attitude in future

rainbowtrout · 31-10-2022 11:14am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814917#Comment_119814917

There's a pair of ye in it. Being up and about and living your life normally after 8am is a reasonable expectation in any house. Now he isn't playing ball by having the girlfriend on speakerphone, but you also can't expect him to tiptoe around the house until 11am each day. Having said that its your house, so your rules, if it's not working out ask him to leave.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 11:18am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814951#Comment_119814951

Is now a bad time to say I do his washing too 🙈

Fiona · 31-10-2022 11:20am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814954#Comment_119814954

He doesn't have to tip toe, he can shower cook etc but we are in the room next door there is no need to have the phone up full blast on speaker phone.

Or else take up the offer of a pair of decent headphones to be bought for you and use them for 1 or two hours in the morning.

bucketybuck · 31-10-2022 11:37am

I don't get why you keep going on about headphones, aren't there two people involved in a phone call? I get that tinny voices from a speaker are annoying but you will still hear his voice even if he is wearing headphones...

Anyway, changing the rules isn't going to solve your problem, people on shift work simply don't go well with lodgers, and especially not young lodgers. There is always going to be a conflict between what you want in your house and what he wants in his life.

Henry Ford III · 31-10-2022 11:38am

Stop pussy footing around the issue OP.

Address it head on. Tell him if he makes excessive noise again he'll be out of the house.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 11:52am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815039#Comment_119815039

I swear to god he whispers on the phone to her, I can't even hear him (unless they are having a full on fight like the other morning)

Why whisper into the phone to somebody while they speak back to you at full blast, baffling lol

Fiona · 31-10-2022 11:54am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815046#Comment_119815046

I will be chatting with him today.

gameoverdude · 31-10-2022 12:05pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814961#Comment_119814961

Come on!

You need another child!

What age is this person? Don't get me wrong. I can be a mammy with my own family and can be a soft touch.

You don't iron their stuff too! Please say no!

Mrs OBumble · 31-10-2022 12:32pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814743#Comment_119814743

You have teenage girls staying in the house regularly, and you have taken a young adult male lodger?

You should be very thankful that noise is the only problem. And move him out ASAP.

If you need to rent the room, take a female only, and be up-front about quiet hours in the house.

31-10-2022 12:54pm

Has he perhaps got a hearing issue? If he didn’t start off with one he probably has an amount of deafness by now or he will in the future. Maybe his perception of loudness is totally different to normal. I wonder was noise an issue that got him out of girlfriend’s home.

gameoverdude · 31-10-2022 12:59pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815255#Comment_119815255

Cop on to yourself.

That is a disgusting comment.

gameoverdude · 31-10-2022 1:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815334#Comment_119815334

Doesn't matter.

Their house, their rules.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 1:29pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815147#Comment_119815147

They are 23.

My logic for the washing was simple, if I put on the wash and hang it out, everybody will have dry clothes when they need them, there won't be any fighting for the washing machine or fighting for the limited drying space. I do myself and my partners clothes so what's another person throwing their clothes in on top.

My friend rents to students and she does their laundry and she just said better to take ownership so you are not waiting for somebody to finish before you can get your own bit and pieces done.

And I don't iron lol barely do that for myself!

Fiona · 31-10-2022 1:31pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815255#Comment_119815255

It's not an issue, the girls are never on their own in the house when they come up to stay.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 1:33pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815334#Comment_119815334

Possibly, or else their constant fighting!!! She seems like a bit of a melt to be honest.

Ah he is a good kid, I will sit down and have a good chat with him, we all need somebody to look out for us. I don't want to kick him out.

(I mean hard not to take sides when you can hear the full fight!!!)

gameoverdude · 31-10-2022 1:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815465#Comment_119815465

Mammy mode!

Does he just stick them in with yours? He has expectations now. Wait until he needs some item and it's not dry...

Fiona · 31-10-2022 1:36pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815349#Comment_119815349

To be fair, we did discuss it if should be male or female.

Females can take over and then you have the risk of them walking around in shorts up their hole. Me and my partner are into boxing / F1 / Cars so I have more in common with men than women so we decided males would be best.

My step daughter has a fine jab and hook on her, fair play to him if tried something he would be knocked out!

Fiona · 31-10-2022 1:39pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815496#Comment_119815496

Yeah I have the wash baskets on the landing when it's full I just bang a wash on, I am wfh 4 days a week so it's nothing to do really.

If you want express service you can either produce a bottle of wine and ask nicely or do it yourself hahahah

gameoverdude · 31-10-2022 1:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815499#Comment_119815499

No. That wasn't the point. It's not fair.

I'm male. Should I be considered a rapist?

Boxing/f1...who cares?

gameoverdude · 31-10-2022 1:40pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815506#Comment_119815506

Nicely put.

walterking · 31-10-2022 1:46pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119814754#Comment_119814754

Using a phone on full volume speaker is normal?

Seriously?

This person was Mollie coddled by his snowflake mammy with no respect for others or having personal responsibility.

Give him 7 days notice to be out as there are thousands of decent people looking for rooms that will have basic level of respect.

Fiona · 31-10-2022 1:51pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815514#Comment_119815514

No I hear ya bro - some people are just so distrusting of people and it's not nice.

Still stihl waters 3 · 31-10-2022 2:00pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119815255#Comment_119815255

Ah come on, the vast majority of young men only rape if given the opportunity, if op keeps the teenage girls under close watch they should be fine, oh and op should make sure they cover up and not dress suggestively in case that gets him all rapey as well

Renting out spare room - noise issues tenant

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