Renting a room. Problems with lodgers

Brallaqueen

Never, ever let someone moce in without paying all they owe in full, lodger or tenant. Not having the agreed amount initially was a huge red flag that these people are chancers. I would give immediate notice to leave, citing i felt threatened , and change the locks as soon as i got a chance. I would get an independent witness to watch over as you bag their stuff and a friend to help even up the numbers when they arranged access.

AFK_Matrix

Nada666 wrote: »

You should never have inclusive bills for lodgers especially in a small household - they should be charged rent plus equal share of bills with a regular instalment paid with the rent.

I wouldn't say never as it can work out fine and is actually the norm as far as I can see. And if they are taking the mick then up the rent accordingly and if they don't like it give them their notice. You also don't get arguments etc about what they think they have and haven't used, even though your splitting the bill 50/50.

bodmil

Nada666 wrote: »

You should never have inclusive bills for lodgers especially in a small household - they should be charged rent plus equal share of bills with a regular instalment paid with the rent.

I disagree, I charge my lodger rent inclusive of all costs and it works fine. I wouldn't want a lodger getting too involved with the bills in case they want take control and change providers etc. I have a good idea of the cost of all the out-goings so I charge appropriately.

With my first lodger I split the bills and had problems with his understanding of everything that was involved and he would rather have spent £00s on Sky and argued any mention of council tax or heatin.g

Brallaqueen

I think that with splitting bills, you run the risk of the lodger scarpering when the bill comes in, and being left down x many months bill money. I include bills in my lodger's rent - that way if she pulls a fast one I;m only down that month and the deposit can cover.

katejo

Nada666 wrote: »

You should never have inclusive bills for lodgers especially in a small household - they should be charged rent plus equal share of bills with a regular instalment paid with the rent.

Why? It makes no difference to the rent a room allowance as bills have to be included and it would just make things too complicated .

martinsurrey

katejo wrote: »

Why? It makes no difference to the rent a room allowance as bills have to be included and it would just make things too complicated .

because if I had bill inc as a Lodger I might be more inclined to have the heating set to 28 degrees 24 hours a day during the winter while the owner was on holiday "because I am all inc" (not me personally, but we all know people would)

Someone who see’s where their money goes is less inclined to throw it away.

bodmil

martinsurrey wrote: »

because if I had bill inc as a Lodger I might be more inclined to have the heating set to 28 degrees 24 hours a day during the winter while the owner was on holiday "because I am all inc" (not me personally, but we all know people would)

Someone who see’s where their money goes is less inclined to throw it away.

Fair point, but in that case I would say that the useage is unreasonable and put the price up or ask them to leave. I like to live with my lodger, as opposed to in the same house as them, and if they behave that way I'm unlikely to want to live with them at all so it's not a great loss to have to find a new one.

Angelicdevil

martinsurrey wrote: »

because if I had bill inc as a Lodger I might be more inclined to have the heating set to 28 degrees 24 hours a day during the winter while the owner was on holiday "because I am all inc" (not me personally, but we all know people would)

Someone who see’s where their money goes is less inclined to throw it away.

Gosh yes! I had a housemate who would leave the heating on full whack all day, every day when I was away on holiday because she'd never have to pay 100% of it.

katejo

bodmil wrote: »

Fair point, but in that case I would say that the useage is unreasonable and put the price up or ask them to leave. I like to live with my lodger, as opposed to in the same house as them, and if they behave that way I'm unlikely to want to live with them at all so it's not a great loss to have to find a new one.

I agree. I have a programmable remote thermostat which is set to come on at specific times. You can override it and my lodger is allowed to do that if he is in and I'm not. However he works most days and longer hours than I do so it hasn't caused a problem.

phill99

I had a lodger once. Awful person. I kicked her out, changed the lock and put all her belongings in the front garden all within 4 hours. I think 4 hours is plenty reasonable.