I shouldn't discourage him from bathing but...

sparrer

my young lodger baths twice a day and it's costing me a fortune! Ideally I'd have a shower put in but can't afford one. When he moved in two months ago he asked when the water was on and I told him it's never off. I heat it using gas as I think this is cheaper than elec. He's taken advantage of the constant hot water every day, usually twice a day, to bathe, leaving little for the evening meal prep/wash-up/kitchen cleaning, and I have to pick my times to bath. Lately I've just had a strip wash as there's not enough water, not ideal but don't know how to go about sorting this out. Do I turn the water on only at certain times (perhaps overnight as I have Econ7 elec) and risk running out completely, which I think will be more costly as it would have to keep heating up from cold, or do I just put up with it? Any advice gratefully received, ta

mandi

Hya , Id just tell him that fuel costs are so high, that youd apprieciate if he had a bath once a day

Tell him you understand why he would like one twice a day , and that will be fine, but you reluctantly have to increase his rent to cover the costs

Magentasue

Don't understand. You have the hot water on all the time but there isn't enough water for three baths a day?

Forget electric - much more expensive. Set your water to come on for two forty minute periods. Time it so you can both have one bath a day e.g. enough for one of you in the morning and one in the evening or two evening periods.

Tell him, bill has come in and you are making cutbacks as mandi suggests.

Fran

I used to have a shower head that you attach to the taps (water pressure needs to be strong enough so won't work in every bathroom). They were about £15 from B&Q and could be the answer until you can afford to get a shower fitted (best option as lodger wouldn't clog up bathroom for so long and loads cheaper).

Magentasue

Juat reread this and see you have Econ7. There have been lots of threads about immersion heaters being on all day and night - it is often compared to having a kettle on all day.

Absolutely turn off during the day!. An hour overnight should heat up a tank full - enough for two baths? If not, then half an hour or so top up max before you want a bath should do it.

I'd do some meter reading with everything turned off for an hour. Then with the immersion on for half hour, or an hour. If you do this several times, you should be able to work out an average cost and decide what is reasonable for you to pay and to factor in for rent.

Soot2006

My lodger leaves everything on - computer, two screens, kettle, light, etc ...

Bill came in and I almost passed out in shock. The shock gave me the strength to talk to him frankly and ask for future contributions (when initially should have been included in rent). I didn't ask for contribution to current bill but made clear that would need so for future or our arrangement would not work. Luckily he's a lovely man and so he gave me what he could that month and has also been making an effort meaning we area a serene household once more. Sometimes it's just a question of communication!

Premier_2

You know, it wasn't that long ago before before the term 'political correctness' had even been invented, that LLs would openly advertise stipulating no females because they had a tendancy to wash their hear everyday.

Now the worlds turned full circle, why don't you just increase your lodgers rent to cover the increased fuel costs you have to endure?

sparrer

Thanks everyone for your replies. I see the sense it only having the hot water on for certain periods, it's just that when it was only me here I did 2x12 month checks and it was fractionally less expensive to keep it on all of the time. Now of course it's getting used a lot more so takes more fuel to reheat.

I'll try the overnight way first. I'm not able to approach him re increase of rent as his Mum pays it - long story cut short he doesn't get on with someone in the family home. He's 17, only here for a year before joning the forces, been through a lot and is a lovely lad so I don't want to upset the applecart but obviously not being out of pocket is my priority. Took a lodger as I'm now retired and it was intended to help keep the car on the road.

Thanks again, hope this will sort it out. Now, how can I stop him going through 3/4 loo rolls a week?!!! Ah well, at least he's clean :rotfl:

Magentasue

sparrer wrote: »

Now, how can I stop him going through 3/4 loo rolls a week?!!! Ah well, at least he's clean :rotfl:

Wish I knew the answer to this one.

sammyjammy

Buy the cheap stuff! If you've got a home bargains nearby they sell recycled nouvelle for 1.99 (12 rolls).

PasturesNew

Have you tried calculating the actual cost of heating the water. The fuel and the water cost. So you know how much you are really talking about per bath taken. It might help you to either get it in perspective, or point out to him how much each costs and therefore ask for a further contribution based on the extra baths he has.

If I were the lodger I'd rather know the cost and stump up some extra to have a bath when I want.

I had a lodger once (he didn't last long). He was taking one hour long showers... he wasn't showering, he'd started surfing and decided to shower in his wetsuit and wash that out at the same time as showering after surfing... every day.