What to charge a lodger for food?

charlotte_rose

We have recently taken in a lodger, who will be staying with us 7-days a week. Originally, he was due to stay a month so we were not too bothered about charging for food etc. However, he has just asked if he can stay until next August.

We usually, prepare a family dinner around 7pm and sit down to eat. Our lodger has asked if he can join us when he is home for dinner (currently 5-evenings a week).

In the morning, we usually prepare him toast and coffee and on the weekend a full English.

He has said that he is willing to make a contribution to the food and other household costs (washing powder, loo rolls, tea, coffee, sugar, butter, bread, milk etc).

What is a fair amount to charge him per week or put differently a reasonable way to work out his fair share? His current rent is £85 per week.

Currently our food and household bills before our lodger came to around £50 a week.

Fire_Fox

How many people in your household? What is the difference between your old grocery bills and new ones? If there are three of you and you are spending £75 a week charge at least £25.

jbainbridge

How much extra does it cost you? In any case charge at least £25 ... he's getting a bargin.

Could I join you for the full english?

dimbo61

When he leaves can I become your lodger please ?
Evening meal £4/5 a night and £4/5 for full english at the weekend.
£1 for tea and toast

paddedjohn

A friend of mine pays £100/week for room and board and they let him have his son stay over once a week.

V_Chic_Chick

Clearly you need to work out the difference, but as a guide my unis halls of residence charge £27pw for breakfast and dinner mon - fri only, although IMHO that is overpriced given the quality, lack of choice and restrictive meal times.

ash28

My brother paid £100 a week as a lodger and he got breakfast, packed lunch and dinner and had his washing and ironing done!

He worked long hours and he was there 2 years - he was saving for his house and the fixed outgoings suited him down to the ground.

He left the family in September this year.

missile

His current rent is £85 per week.

That seems ridiculously cheap to me.:eek: Have a look about Gumtree etc and see what a.n.others are charging in your area.

MelaBella

missile wrote: »

That seems ridiculously cheap to me.:eek: Have a look about Gumtree etc and see what a.n.others are charging in your area.

Its a lodger. so if they increase his rent they need to pay tax.
Just calculate the rough cost how much you spend on average per 1 meal and devide between the members of the family plus lodger and you can figure out how much is his share

00ec25

MelaBella wrote: »

Its a lodger. so if they increase his rent they need to pay tax.

err actually if they provide additional services such as meals then that too counts as part of the taxable income

£85 pw is already over the limit if paid for a full 52 weeks anyway, so they will have to declare the income to start with even before adding on food

charlotte_rose

Thanks for the replies. I was thinking of charging £20 a week for the food and our time to prepare/wash up etc - I think its reasonable. Btw we are in London.

For 2012/13, it will be 20 weeks and 2013/14 a maximum of 30-weeks so well under the taxable limit even with £20 extra.