Does Landlord Have The Right to Ban Friend Stay over?

Lgila24 on 11/11/2018 - 14:49
Last edited 17/11/2018 - 20:56 by 1 other user

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, any answer will be appreciated.

I live a granny flat in my landlady's backyard. Occasionally my friends will come and stay over for a night if we hang out around this area. This usually happens less than twice a month and on weekend only. We just stay inside playing video games or watching some stuff before going to bed. No party no loud noise at night.

Yesterday a friend came and stayed, and this morning I received a text message from my landlady asking me have I brought anyone home last night. I replied yes. She was grumpy and angry in her second text, asking me do not bring anyone home again for the safety of myself and her family and telling me that she feels uncomfortable if there are strangers in her backyard.

I have not yet replied to her second message, I'd like to know does she have the right to regulate my social life and privacy?
No agent involved in this case, it's a private renting agreement.

Thanks in advance.

Update:

Thanks to everyone for sharing. I took advice from some replies and had a very open conversation with the landlady.

In the conversation, I started with an apology for not letting her know that I'll have a guest in advance. Then I told her that I do have social needs like anybody else that I feel good when someone stays with me for a night or two. However, she's been slut-shaming me from her moral highland for bringing a boy home when I'm still single (I'm 29 btw). The conversation was intense in which I started to question my self-worth. Anyway, she insisted the 'no guest' policy and said she chose me to be the tenant cuz she thought being a single female I wouldn't bring anyone home.

So, after that conversation I decided to move out. Now I'm looking for a 2B apartment to move in, no private renting, agent only.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • DBBROS on 12/11/2018 - 20:17
    +1

    Maybe the landlord is worried about your friends using up the electricity and water if they are included in the rent

    • grrrr on 12/11/2018 - 21:57

      or the internet bandwith. Maybe netflix only streams at 720p while they are playing games? :P

  • Gauntlet on 12/11/2018 - 22:38

    What a nasty landlord - move out.

  • TheSmegger on 13/11/2018 - 03:03
    +2

    I'd be very careful who I listened to if I was you. There's a lot of good and bad advice here, so far.
    Personally, I like the idea of discussing the issue first, while giving a copy of your, and her, rights.
    However, that's up to you and your personality.
    I will say this though. If you let her, she will run your life. I've seen this exact thing before and weakness here, gives her control. She will use it.
    Next will be curfews for you.
    Keep us updated and good luck.

  • berger on 13/11/2018 - 08:25

    is the bungalow self contained? or are you going to the house for poops, laundry & other stuff?

  • Atazoth616 on 13/11/2018 - 13:22

    From memory tennants have the right to have guests over. If it is included in a contract than it is an unfair term hence the term is void.

    • congo on 13/11/2018 - 15:28

      Yes for one or two nights. But not for long periods.

      • Atazoth616 on 13/11/2018 - 16:21

        "But not for long periods."

        Obviously.

    • Akya on 13/11/2018 - 17:10

      It depends on the real estate and landlord. I had a friend stay with me for 5 weeks while she did university placement at a nearby hospital. I contacted the property manager and asked if I need to do anything and specified that my friend was not paying any rent while she stayed with me (which is true). They said for 6 weeks I would usually need to put her on the lease, but 5 weeks was fine.

  • Shissona on 13/11/2018 - 16:18

    Although she is saying that she is concerned about her safety, she could be using that as an excuse rather than admitting she doesn't want to pay extra utility costs associated with having another person in the flat (if bills are included in your rent as they often are with granny flats). In reality, the extra usage from one person would be insignificant - but she may see things differently and be a true tighta$$…

  • DEvok on 13/11/2018 - 18:01

    Is the landlord hot?

  • Hardlyworkin on 13/11/2018 - 18:58

    There seems to be certain landlords who only advertise their places to a attract a certain demographic, often targeting international students who work and study all the time and not much else. Maybe the landlord has had someone similar to this previously and isn't use to someone with a social life?

    I recommend showing some understanding though advisin of your rights. You are not staying there for free so you shouldn't be walking on eggshells. Your landlord needs to understand it's a 2 way street. You are paying and have entered into an arrangement which brings you rights as the occupier.

    I like the comment previously about your safety when she has people over. You have the same argument!

  • skidexa on 13/11/2018 - 22:06
    +1

    Get said friend to hook up with landlady = no longer stranger and free accomodation

  • idonotknowwhy on 14/11/2018 - 02:04

    Introduce the friend to the landlady and let her see that he's alright?

  • Jool Smuggla on 17/11/2018 - 19:40

    As a land lady myself, I will say no - we cannot tell our tenants who they can or can't have as a sleepover. Of course, this would be different if the visitor was there all the time, because I would require their name on the lease.

    We do have the right to terminate the lease, but we have to have a good reason and to give sufficient notice. I do not know all the clauses for an oral agreement, however, a contract can be made orally if both parties agree to the contract. That said, the contract is basic and both parties have to received some form of benefit - in your case she gets rent, you get to live in her granny flat. You really are better off if you get it in writing as it is easier to prove in court, if it comes to that.

    If the visitors of the tenants cause damage, then you will be responsible to pay for it.

    I haven't read all posts so apologies if this is out of context.

  • gila24 on 17/11/2018 - 20:55
    +3

    Update:

    Thanks to everyone for sharing. I took advice from some replies and had a very open conversation with the landlady.

    In the conversation, I started with an apology for not letting her know that I'll have a guest in advance. Then I told her that I do have social needs like anybody else that I feel good when someone stays with me for a night or two. However, she's been slut-shaming me from her moral highland for bringing a boy home when I'm still single (I'm 29 btw). The conversation was intense in which I started to question my self-worth. Anyway, she insisted the 'no guest' policy and said she chose me to be the tenant cuz she thought being a single female I wouldn't bring anyone home.

    So, after that conversation I decided to move out. Now I'm looking for a 2B apartment to move in, no private renting, agent only.

    • DonWilson on 17/11/2018 - 22:58

      Yeah, she's the kind of person that describing my opinion of her would get me a temporary suspension from this board.

      She's… no good. She's a bad person.

      You're fine. Even if after all this she reluctantly agreed, no-one deserves to live around/with such a… person. Rest assured the vast, vast majority of landlords aren't like this. You'll find a better place.

    • try2bhelpful on 18/11/2018 - 06:45

      Well handled on your part, all best wishes for finding your new home. If she thinks single females won’t bring people home, nowdays, she is naive.

  • fujay on 17/01/2019 - 07:39

    sorry to hijack the topic, I would like to hear some thoughts

    what is your opinion if a person is in a shared accommodation (renting a room in a 2B flat) inviting people staying over? especially when the agreement is clearly stating friends over ok, but no stayover?

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