giving up my bedroom for quick cash!!!

temba

I am moving into my box room and renting out my lovely bedroom to a complete stranger. I am so reluctant about it, but it is £350 a month, ie over £4k a year. I only advertised the room a couple of days ago, and I certainly never imagined to get anyone this quick. I'm going to have to put all my stuff in the loft, my spare room is TINY!!! (I tried to rent my small room but noone wanted it-it's too small!)

Has anyone else done this? I remember on the pay off your mortgage prog that couple moved into their garden shed to rent out their house. That's what inspired me. I hope the stranger is nice :think:

GirlRacer_2

Congrats in realising the potential here to pay off your debts. It wont be forever. Good luck

moxie_2

I've thought about doing this but decided against as I value my privacy too much. Have you not met the person who is moving in?? I think I'd have to meet them first, they might be a bit scary/odd/just not very nice! (but I hope yours is OK!)

clarab_3

that's so brave!

Just remember - its not irreversible, and make sure they split the bills too!

(No stealing their food though )

GirlRacer_2

My lodger would have to look like Brad Pitt and spend all his wages on Cadbury Creme Eggs........ HEAVEN

Frugal_Fox

GirlRacer wrote:

My lodger would have to look like Brad Pitt and spend all his wages on Cadbury Creme Eggs........ HEAVEN

Oooooo I'd give up my bed for Creme Eggs on demand.....

temba

moxie wrote:

I've thought about doing this but decided against as I value my privacy too much. Have you not met the person who is moving in?? I think I'd have to meet them first, they might be a bit scary/odd/just not very nice! (but I hope yours is OK!)

Well I've not definitely agreed to the lodger in question yet, though she is keen to take it. I've not met her because she currently lives in France. I agree with you, I'd feel better if I had. I found her through a lodger website, though I guess that doesn't guarantee anything. I have had a lodger before, but she was a friend of a friend, and she lived in my little room for only 3 months.

Yikes. i've got heebyjeebies now. Maybe I'll say no to this one and try and get one I can meet first. She seemed nice in her emails though......

yellowmoon

When I was on my own with 2 young children I took lodgers regularly. Almost full time for several years. It ment we could manage OK even though I only worked part time. All of my lodgers were fine. Some were very nice and one even came back to logde a second time. People often remember the bad stories not the good ones. Having lodgers was certainly a good experience for me. I intend having lodgers again later when my curcumstances change.

Good luck!

postingalwaysposting

well done on taking this huge step... but remember its not infinate at the end of the day she/he is in your home... as long as you give them notice (is that the word?) then you can get your personal space back... i must say if it will pay your debt back quicker well don you... but me myself i dont know how you will cope... but then i have only ever lived at home :rotfl:

Crazychik

Wow! Well done you, you are brave

I think I could only do this if I know the person, or they've come with a recomendation from someone you know. Not sure about strangers though. I would like to have met them first. Even go to there current address, just to see how they live (i.e tidy,clean,etc)

Have you set some ground rules, ie bills (gas,lecky,water,council tax) food, people they can/cant bring back, what does this £350 per month incl? is it just the room their renting, or does any of the above come into the money?

Have you set a bond?

Its a big step and a lot to consider.
I think I would consider this when my kids leave home, but like a previous poster said, I like my privacy too much.

Would you allow them to have a lock on their door? And would they be prepared for a room inspection?

Are they smokers?

Gosh all these things to consider! Its scary
Good luck though

seven-day-weekend

We've had lodgers on and off throughout our married life until we moved to Spain. We (or our son) have always met them first. Some came from recommendations, some came vis advertising at the Uni, or more recently, our son has two lodgers, one was already a friend and one he got from https://www.easyroommate.com.

It really helped us when our son was small and my husband was training to be a teacher. We had a mortgage to pay and the lodger's money enabled me to be able to stay at home to look after our son so that my husband could concentrate on his studies.

We have always had rent inclusive of bills. We have a list of house 'rules'.

We still see or are in touch with several of our ex-lodgers. Two of them married each other and I am now their eldest child's godmother.

Don't forget, they are in your home, you cn get rid of them with a few day's notice if necessary.

A good MS way to earn extra cash and maybe make some friends!