Should I rent out a room to a lodger

TBagpuss

I definitely can work like that. I think it is all down to finding a lodger / host who has similar expectations to you, and who you get along with.

I'm quite a solitary person which I think is why it's not ideal for me personally, but it works well for some people.

My sister spent some time as a lodger when she was younger - she is still very friendly with the couple she lived with,(it's about 15 years since she moved out) She is godmother to their eldest child, they came to her wedding etc. She knew them very slightly before she moved in as they were all members of the club. I have a friend who has had lots of lodgers over the years and has made a lot of good, long term friends as a result.

Dan-Dan

G_M wrote: »

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

Nor have i , once , my wife hid some under my mash , nearly cost us our marriage

pambler

Many, many years ago, we had lodgers when we bought our first home. I think with the exception of one, we became, and stayed friends with them, once they moved on. We did tend to choose people who were a similar age and seemed to have similar interests to us. You just need to understand that you are to a certain extent sharing your home and accept that not everyone will have exactly the same standards as you.

G_M

Dan-Dan wrote: »

Nor have i , once , my wife hid some under my mash , nearly cost us our marriage

Ah! The female obsession with swedes. Now that I understand.

Pixie5740

I wouldn't have a lodger but I would make an exception for Eric Northman the (Swedish) vampire from True Blood. Yum.

I think if the OP has no money left at the end of the month then a lodger might help the situation but both he has his GF should sit down and work out where their money goes and how their current expenditure can be reduced.

gazter

katejo wrote: »

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.

Only if it is a separate address with a locked door. Which would probably be a proper tenancy, not a lodger. No need for extra TV license.

HB58

We had lodgers for several years when Mr HB and I met/were first married. Usually just one person but we did have a married couple for a while too. Some lodgers preferred to keep to themselves, others wanted company. We never had any real problems and are still friends with one lady, 26 years after she moved out (to get married).

G_M

Pixie5740 wrote: »

I wouldn't have a lodger but I would make an exception for Eric Northman the (Swedish) vampire from True Blood. Yum.

.

I think it's Eric who would be saying 'Yum'!

booksurr

gazter wrote: »

Only if it is a separate address with a locked door. Which would probably be a proper tenancy, not a lodger. No need for extra TV license.

wrong !
http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/check-if-you-need-one/for-your-home/tenants-and-lodgers-aud2

katejo

gazter wrote: »

Only if it is a separate address with a locked door. Which would probably be a proper tenancy, not a lodger. No need for extra TV license.

Incorrect. I have queried the wording of their guidelines more than once because they are ambiguous. They sometimes say tenant and don't give enough details for lodgers. However they do say the following re. exemption from a licence

If you’re a lodger and have a relationship with the homeowner – for example, a family member, common law partner, a nanny, au pair or housekeeper

The lodger has to have the relationship as stated here to qualify.