Should I rent out a room to a lodger

booksurr

dominoman wrote: »

How can I convince her?

don't

dominoman wrote: »

The lodger would have their own floor (the attic conversion that we never even go into).

clearly you bought a property which is too expensive for you and you did not need

you should downsize to something you can afford to own

katejo

I have had several lodgers, all found through Spareroom and it has worked out fairly well. As for you, it allows me to do repairs and improvements on the house which I couldn't pay for from my salary (eg. new kitchen and roof repairs). My latest lodger moved in a month ago. She spends most of the time in her room even though she is free to watch TV downstairs. It is her choice.
Remember that if your lodger has a TV to watch live programmes in their room, they will need a separate licence in their name.

Pixie5740

If you have gas appliances in the property you'll also need a gas safety certificate.

pmlindyloo

Pixie5740 wrote: »

If you have gas appliances in the property you'll also need a gas safety certificate.

A good article here with all the dos and don'ts.

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/content/lodgers-and-the-rent-a-room

SailorSam

I wouldn't like the idea of a lodger in the house.
Maybe that's just me 'cos i am a miserable, anti-social old sod. But then if i needed some extra cash i'd do it.

TBagpuss

Definitely sit down and discuss with your GF - this is something which will affect both of you.

Try to ensure that it is a genuine discussion - i.e. listen to her point of view, and if she proposes any alternative options, give them proper consideration. It may help if you ask if there are spcific issues around having a lodger which concern her, as you may then be able to work out, together, whether they can be over come. For instance, if she is concerned b lack of privacy, then comparatively small things such as making sure that the lodger has a TV and kettle in their room, to reduce the amount of time they are likely to need to spend in common areas may help, as will having a Mon-Fri lodger.

If she has concerns about safety, then thinking about references, preferences over the gender of the lodger etc may be relevant.

Looking at the financial implications, e.g. how much you might be able to save, and over what periods (e.g. 3, 6 or 12 months) might be useful, particualarly if you also look at what other options you have to try to save a similar amount.

Do bear in mind that she may feel very strongly that even to allow you to redecorate etc much sooner / with professional help the 'cost' in loss of privacy etc is too high.

I have had lodgers in the past - each time it was someone I already knew - in one case, a very close friend, in another (which was for a definite, fixed period of 6 weeks, the first time she lived with me, and on a short term, emergency basis the second time) was an acquaintance. I didn't have any problems, but it did leave me feeling quite clear that I would not want another lodger (except perhaps a very close friend, or a family member) unless I was absolutely desperate (as in, not being able to eat / pay the mortgage desperate) If it was a choice between having a lodger and waiting an extra year or so to be able to redecorate, I'd wait the extra time (and cut spending else where) before I'd take a lodger.

Because I found that that for me, personally, the reduction in privacy meant that I couldn't relax and unwind as easily.

dominoman

Thanks Tbagpuss. All very good advice.

If we're going to have a stranger living in the house my girlfriend definitely has to be comfortable about it. She would definitely prefer a female lodger I suspect (though if a hot Swedish blonde turns up she might change her mind about that!).

katejo

I quite like having additional company in the house but wouldn't want to have to do it. So, for example a bit of extra cash for home improvements with perhaps an extra holiday is fine. I have a few days in Devon soon which I would not have booked without the extra income. However, if I were forced to do it due to debts to pay off, the effect would be less positive.

Another positive point is having someone to look after the house when I am away. One lodger stayed 3 years and I could always rely on him without any problem

G_M

What is this male obsession with Swedes? I've never got it myself....

vansboy

I'm thinking of getting a lodger when I move to my new place - ages away yet, as I will be moving to an area where I have no friends, or contacts locally, so as well as a small income, it would be for a bit of company, too.

When I've looked through the spareroom type sites, many of the ads read in a friendly way, to me, with several asking for similar lodgers as I'd maybe like. Or am I expecting too much, I wonder.

If someone came along and really did just arrive, sleep, work, sleep, work, then I'm not sure if I'd go for that.

VB