Renting out a room to my friend

BitterAndTwisted

Without a written lodger's agreement for them to show the HB people in their application it could take quite a long time to persuade them that the claim is legit. In any case it will probably take a couple of months for any money to come through. I wouldn't be happy for a pal to be living in my home for that length of time unable to make any contribution at all. Plus, as soon as this pal moves in the utility bills are likely to increase. Depends on how close this friendship is. I'd be happy to support a good pal but not indefinitely.

Under the govt Rent-A-Room scheme any rent received, as long as it's under £4250 per annum, does not have to be declared for tax purposes.

Oh dear, Rentergirl with her usual misleading and erroneous "advice" strikes again. *sigh*

rentergirl

Thanks for the fan mail everyone! They need the clarity of clear agreement as what happens if the person refuses to go - a brass neck lodger might still end with them in court. Yes, I am aware the 'lodgers' have few rights. But this person seems confused about whether their friend will be a lodger or not. This is about human interaction too. Thanks for reading!

00ec25

rentergirl wrote: »

Thanks for the fan mail everyone! They need the clarity of clear agreement as what happens if !

I was with you up to here - yes a written agreement as to amounts to pay and some ground rules means people know where they stand

rentergirl wrote: »

the person refuses to go - a brass neck lodger might still end with them in court. Yes, I am aware the 'lodgers' have few rights. But this person seems confused about whether their friend will be a lodger or not. This is about human interaction too.

oh dear - off on another flight of ignorance
- LL serves written reasonable notice eg 1 week, or 24 hours if the LL feels vulnerable to the lodger
- lodger refuses to leave, LL calls police
- police refuse to attend as they do not want to get involved in "civil" matters and shirk their legal duty
- LL waits until lodger leaves house whereupon LL changes locks. LL cannot be done for illegal eviction as it is a lodger not a tenant. Lodger tries to re-enter, police must now attend as this is clearly criminal damage / breach of the peace
- LL legally must exercise a duty of care over lodger's possessions until collected or acknowledged, in writing, as not wanted, eg. they cannot be thrown out into the street or left to rot in wet cellar

No need to involve court at all in the eviction of a "brass neck" lodger.
Of course unpaid rent is a different matter and would end up in court and therefore be a stronger case if supported by a written agreement


OP - other LL bits
you would need to check with your insurance compnay - most will accept lodgers without imposing extra charges, but you must notify them to be safe