Setting House Rules when renting a room out

superfran_uk

Jowo wrote: »

There is no ban on TV after 10 (but a request to use headphones), nor a dinner guests, they just require permission in advance, so 2 out of 3 of your observations are incorrect.

I could re-write the clause to remove the requirements to use headphones and hope that they are sensible about volume and provide headphones as a courtesy.

Remember this is a short-term let aimed at foreign nationals or those seeking more permanent accommodation. If the arrangement is working well, I would be happy to extend the contract and revise rules.

The rules that restrict overnight stays that you enjoyed with your long-term partner are present on my rules to prevent them from thinking that they can invite their friends and family to come from overseas and stay for lengthy periods and have a cheap holiday at the expense of crowded bathrooms and the property full of strangers. I would consider amending it to occasional guests of 1 or 2 nights with permission in advance.

People in serious relationships generally don't want to live with live-in landlords anyhow.

It depends on their circumstances. I lodged for 6 months, I was in a 'long distance' relationship at the time. Obviously my relationship was more important than my tenancy as it was just a short term measure until i moved in with my OH, but luckily I am a decent and considerate person, and my landlord did not have 7 A4 pages of rules for me to sign - and it all worked out well for all concerned.

Anyway I wish you luck in your hunt for a single, non-smoking, early-to-bed person with no friends who only likes to cook and bath at set times! :rotfl: Seriously though, the 'no smoking in the garden' clause...Maybe you should be more specific and say 'no smoking within xx yards of the house' just to be sure

Jowo_2

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

And as for not smoking in the garden, I think that's much too harsh. ...

Websites that advertise accommodation often have check boxes to indicate that smoking is either permitted, not permitted or permitted outside. Or more simply they will stipulate smokers or non-smokers. It's quite a normal selection criteria - I don't want any lodgers who smoke.

It's a waste of time eliminating smoking inside the property when its going to drift back through the bedroom windows above the garden, or when they bring their stinky clothes and stinky breath inside or if they leave their butts in the garden.

BitterAndTwisted

If you don't want any lodgers who smoke, then say so.

Jowo_2

superfran_uk wrote: »

Anyway I wish you luck in your hunt for a single, non-smoking, early-to-bed person with no friends who only likes to cook and bath at set times! :rotfl: Seriously though, the 'no smoking in the garden' clause...Maybe you should be more specific and say 'no smoking within xx yards of the house' just to be sure

Thanks, my lodgers will be non-smokers who don't take long baths at peak times and invite their boyfriends to move in so they can watch TV in their bedroom at 2am with the volume on maximum - glad you agree with some basic ground rules to prevent misunderstandings of this type.

Flower08

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

And admit it, you're planning on printing this crap up and pinning notices on the backs of the bedroom doors, aren't you?

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl:

My god i hope i am never in a position where i need to get a room with a live in landlord!!! By the sounds of it, it would like being back at boarding school!!

Are you planning on making your lodgers feel like naughty school children if they step out of line??

calmspirit

bubblesmoney wrote: »

.
with males ...............dont forget to avoid the ones who prefer to run around naked on their way back from the bathroom.

ooo can I have one of those please???

:j

BexInLondon

My own nightmare lodger moved out after I told her she couldn't smoke on the balcony. Though for some people allowing smoking outside would be fine, I hate smoke, thought she was a non-smoker when she moved in, and would rather have no spare money than fag butts in my clematis and a sense of impending doom as I walk through my own front door (smoking was the least of the issues to be honest). Anyway, my remaining lodger doesn't really need any rules! There is definitely a lot of give and take required if you have lodgers - there are times when I want the house to myself and have to put up with random guests, but on the other hand having a few non-negotiables is fine.

Blackpool_Saver

make it very clear that they are not allowed to underpay by 31p

sazza42

All of these 'rules' seem a bit one way for me.... I spent a few years lodging and had a landlady who was a complete slob, leaving rotting food in the kitchen, not clearing anything up etc and another landlady who would take all my food out of the fridge when she had done a big shop and leave it on the counter. She would also have her drunk friends round all the time and keep me awake partying until the small hours.

I've always found flatshares rather than lodging easier as you're all equal. It's pretty hard to kick your landlady out if she's being unreasonable... My second landlady was so bad it gave me the push I needed to buy my first flat though!

Being considerate on both sides is the key, whether you're sharing with friends, a partner, landlord or a lodger.

Jowo_2

sazza42 wrote: »

All of these 'rules' seem a bit one way for me.... I spent a few years lodging and had a landlady who was a complete slob, leaving rotting food in the kitchen, not clearing anything up etc and another landlady who would take all my food out of the fridge when she had done a big shop and leave it on the counter. She would also have her drunk friends round all the time and keep me awake partying until the small hours.

Not one way as these are house rules for the entire household but its a good observation of yours so I can make it clear that these apply to all residents, landlord included, and are two way.