Lodger worries

HarriettPotter

Dear all

In my quest to become debt free I am going to get a lodger. Thing is, I'm terrified! I don't know where to look, how to look, what to look for...!

Has anyone got any recommendations of websites/places to find someone. Also, what are peoples experiences - good? bad? I think I want a guy rather than a girl.

Love to hear peoples thoughts and experiences...

H

lynzpower

Ive had lodgers x2 so far, and another moving in in 3 weeks. However, they are all my freinds, so I didnt exaclty find them

Im quite used to living in houseshares ( one of my lodgers I'd lived with before)
Depends I guess on your age, interests, whether you'd want to cook together/ shop together? Or you want to keep it all quite seperate?

AndyR_3

I've always lived on my own, but last year my best friend was made homeless when the guy he lived with decided to sell the house.

I said he could move in with me for a while, until he found somewhere else. Five months later and he's still here, and I think asking him to move in was the best thing I've done for a long time. I've got more money because he's paying board. He's also paying half the broadband bill and we shop together so can save money by buying multi-packs (he pays for half the groceries). We take cooking/washing-up/cleaning in turns so there's less housework for me to do. I also think it's nice to have someone to cook for, so I'm cooking a lot more meals from fresh, where as before I couldn't be bothered and would just get a take away. I can cook for both of us from fresh at a lower cost than cooking just for myself using convenience foods.

I'm also saving money because before, when I was home alone, I'd go and meet my mate in the pub for a few pints. We were going to the pub together nearly every day and spending a fortune on drink and food. Now we go for a drink once a week and stay in most nights playing a game or watching a film.

It does help with my moneysaving that my housemate is also quite hard up, so he appreciates the need to cut back around the house.

HarriettPotter

Thats reassuring thank you.

I think it depends on the person! There is a guy at work who is very tentatively interest, and personally I think he would be perfect as we get on great but are both quite independent. With him I would imagine we would do some stuff together. However, if I was to get a stranger in I feel quite sure that I would want it more separate.

ms_london

Skintchick did the same - so it might be worth checking out some of her posts.

You could advertise your room on www.thegumtree.com

You should make it clear if they are renting the room or welcome to treat the whole house as yours - and have it clear in your mind about what you are looking for.

Well done though - you'll be rich in no time :0) xx

BlondeHeadOn

If you don't know the potential lodger at all/very well, it may be worth making clear that there is a trial period to make sure you both get on and it works okay - say 6 months. I used to rent a room, and I found this helped me be less stressed about getting someone new in - I knew that at worst I only had to suffer for 6 months if I didn't like the person!

As it happened I never had any problems, but it might help you feel more comfortable with offering a room. None of the lodgers minded the trial period either - I guess it works both ways.

Good luck with whatever you decide....

:cool:

beanielou

Remember to lay down ground rules in advance so you both know where you stand.
Trial period sounds great idea.
Hope this helps!

Willsnarf1983

anyone wanna let me rent a room!, i am getting kicked out in 4 weeks!!! lol



Will

lynzpower

lol where you living willsnarf? Surely someone might make room for a little un?

I just let mine, otherwise you could have had it! lol x

Browntoa

I found that my insurance company did'nt increase my contents insurance premium but would NOT cover my lodgers possesions, not sure if they will find anywhere to do cover if they need it. Just make them aware before they move in

lynzpower

Good point Browntoa - I purposely looked for buildings & contents that would accept a lodger, which luckily was also the cheapest - CIS. (23 a month I think for contents)