Renting out a room

avc_3

I have just rented out my spare room and this is the first time I have done this.....i'm really hoping that some of you can help?

Should the tenant share the cleaning of the areas that he shares with me (everywhere except my bedroom) and also should he contribute towards washing up liquid, loo roll, kitchen roll etc)?
Many thanks in advance (I feel really petty)

seven-day-weekend

Our lodgers have always done their own shopping and yes,if washing up liquid or toilet rolls are needed, they are expected to buy thm...but they might need to have it pointed out.

Get a rota for cleaning/washing up/ putting bleach down the loo.

rosysparkle

All this should be agreed before you move someone in.

It's up to you what you specify, but generally a lodger's rent amount covers the cleaning and the loo roll etc.

jobbingmusician

Sorry, I agree with rosysparkle, I would expect things like loo roll to be included. (And I speak as someone who rented rooms out for many years!)

It is possible to have people contribute, but if so I believe this should be made clear in advance.

Good luck with your new rental! I always had lovely people, and recommend this as an excellent way to generate extra income

seven-day-weekend

We're spealkng about a quite informal arrangement where whoever goes shopping when the loo roll has run out,gets the loo roll.

I have also rented rooms out for many years, and then I bought the toilet roll./ cleaning materials.

However, our son lives in the house now, with two lodgers, and it is a
.more informal arrangement like a house share. That suits them.

I think the advice should be, whatever you do, agree it at the beginning beforre you offer the lodging.

seven-day-weekend

jobbingmusician wrote: »

I ..........recommend this as an excellent way to generate extra income

Yes, so do I!

reb223

From the shelter website http://england.shelter.org.uk/advice/advice-2938.cfm ('You' being the lodger/excluded occupier):

"You are responsible for looking after the property. This might include unblocking a sink or changing a fuse when necessary. You may also have other responsibilities depending on what your tenancy agreement says."

So it's entirely up to you, but as others have noted, you should be upfront about it and include it in the tenancy agreement, in order to avoid disputes later.

My sister has rented out rooms in her house for many years and has always had a cleaning and shopping rota, taking turns to buy dishwasher tablets, loo roll, etc, but it was always an effort to remind them it was their turn. This time she has two guys lodging (it had previously always been females) and is doing it differently to save herself the bother of nagging them. It's working out really well.