Spare room?

karenn1957

I have a spare room in my bungalow which i am thinking of renting out for an intital period of 6 months.
I have had a lady who has recently come over from India to work who is interested, i would like to know what information i would have to ask her for to enable me to consider her as a prospective lodger. i.e. I.D etc etc. and would i be fair in asking for a deposit and guarantor etc etc and how would i be covered legally if it didnt work out and she had to leave.ie.what steps would i need to take.
Thanks in advance.

MoneySavingSpender

If you have met this person and are happy with her, understands how you will run your home etc, your gut instinct has no problem etc. I don't see why you can't get her to sign a periodic tenancy.

She might be lacking in previous landlord references, but a work one sounds like it won't be a problem?

Ensure she understands she will be a lodger, her reduced rights as a lodger instead of a tenant and type up an inventory etc.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/TaxOnPropertyAndRentalIncome/DG_4017804

karenn1957

MoneySavingSpender wrote: »

If you have met this person and are happy with her, understands how you will run your home etc, your gut instinct has no problem etc. I don't see why you can't get her to sign a periodic tenancy.

She might be lacking in previous landlord references, but a work one sounds like it won't be a problem?

Ensure she understands she will be a lodger, her reduced rights as a lodger instead of a tenant and type up an inventory etc.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/TaxOnPropertyAndRentalIncome/DG_4017804

Thanks for that, by inventory do you mean just of her room? is there a website you could recommend for me to check out how to write out an agreement for a lodger
Thanks

Andy_Hamilton

If your happy to accept someone into your home then that's a good starting point. If your doing it because your on the bread line is not the best move (normally) as it can come across that you don't want someone in your home.

Are you ok with making space in the fridge, cupboards, bathroom space?
Are you happy for someone to be sitting on your sofa watching your TV when you get back from work?

3 things to make sure of:
You get a deposit in cleared funds before they move in.
You do not fit or allow to have a lock fitted onto the lodgers bedroom, it instantly puts you into a big grey area.
If you kick the person out, could you cope at work?

Lodgers have very little rights in law as they are guests in your home and say if they did something to creep you out seriously then you could ask them to leave instantly (classified as reasonable time) If they refuse to leave you ring the police for an intruder in your home.

I have had a lodger for 6 months and had no real trouble, since interviewing for my next loder there have been some weired people visit.

I have a contract if you PM me your email address.