Lodgers - What are your thoughts?

ITtim

I have to say, i'm going off the idea now, not sure i want to share my house even with a mate. although its three bed its pretty compact.

thanks for all the advice though, its been very helpfull.

advent1122

Nothing worse than going into the toilet after a lodger has had a dump.
You also have to be quiet with the jiggy jiggy.

sandanista

Curious_Moose wrote: »

Yes, you would need to notify the council (especially if you are currently receiving the 25% single person's discount).

You can get a house share agreement form from WH Smiths. Confirms the deposit, monthly rent, notice period etc. It's nothing too heavy but just confirms things in writing for both parties.

However, your 25% discount will be safe if your lodger is a full-time student.

ITtim

Nothing worse than going into the toilet after a lodger has had a dump.
You also have to be quiet with the jiggy jiggy.

Well thats a different slant on it!

I think we'll trial it for a bit, it would at least help pay for the building work were having done.

So really the only think i need to do is notify the council of the arrangement

lynzpower

Ive had lodgers before one of them was a really good mate. Worked out brilliantly especially for me who got 100s of pounds in income for very little effort.

If it doesnt work out they can leave whats not to like?

grownupgirly

My current lodger is ok, but picky and a neat freak and asked me to be tidier in the kitchen and bathroom! (I'm not a slob, by the way, just more relaxed in my standards than she is!). She also uses the washing machine around 3-4 times a week, washing about 2-4 items at a time. I had her living in my house whilst I was away for 4 months, and so now I'm back we've only been living in the same house for about 3 weeks... Really must speak to her about the washing machine situation, its not really on, is it?

grownupgirly

PS> trouble is, she works shifts too so she's around alot

roses

Don't give a rent all inclusive as it encourages some people to use the central heating & electric heaters a lot.

As lynzpower says, if you don't get on then you can always ask her to move out.

gwapenut

Is the amount you can earn tax free just for rent, so you can split bills on top without paying tax, or is the amount people have quoted the maximum that the lodger can pay for their rent plus their share of the bills?

lynzpower

gwapenut wrote: »

Is the amount you can earn tax free just for rent, so you can split bills on top without paying tax, or is the amount people have quoted the maximum that the lodger can pay for their rent plus their share of the bills?

its just the rent

therefore I charged my mate 500 inclusive ( lodon prices eh) and the "rent" portion worked out as dead on the taxmans guide and the rest was "bills, maintainence and cleaning" catch all.

I had an all inclusive call package from Primus 2 ( evenings & weekends up to 1.5 hours) for free and thus the lodgers could merrily use the phone as much as they liked within these boundaries and it cost me nothing.