Do you charge less rent when the tenant is away?

kinger101

Kua wrote: »

Yes this has been my experience also and I tried to explain this to my lodger. At the end of the day he needs the money more than I do I suppose.

He needs to join the real world, and understand fixed costs. If I phoned the DVLA and told them I didn't drive my car today, so I want a refund, I know what the answer would be.

You've already given him a very generous discount. If he persists, tell him to live in a hotel if he wants to pay by the day. Presumably you got a lodger in to help with you own expenses. How does that work for you if the income stream becomes less steady?

inatdeepend

Hope I didn't come across too rude, but you have to think, if he gets it now, what about any time in the future too? Some people are given an inch and take a mile given the chance...

vqmismatch

I've successfully negotiated lower rent across a six month period on the basis of planned periods away, but that was on a place with all bills included and in a market where rooms were going unfilled.

In this case surely it has to depend how much you want to keep the chap and how easy it would be to refill the room in your local market. If you know he doesn't smoke/yodel/leave toenail clippings in the kitchen sink etc etc and he is a good lodger than paying however much to keep him might be worthwhile.

vqmismatch

kinger101 wrote: »

He needs to join the real world, and understand fixed costs. If I phoned the DVLA and told them I didn't drive my car today, so I want a refund, I know what the answer would be.

You've already given him a very generous discount. If he persists, tell him to live in a hotel if he wants to pay by the day. Presumably you got a lodger in to help with you own expenses. How does that work for you if the income stream becomes less steady?

Depending on the market the only danger with this approach is if he can find other landlords who will let him rent on a shorter term basis. Just because the OP won't let him doesn't mean others will be so set. If people are queuing up to agree to stay for 6 months than I'd also tell the lodger to jog on and pay up, if he could easily get a room here for 5 weeks, then one there for 6 after a 2 week break etc it gets more complex.

In the past I've negotiated to stay 6 months but with preplanned absent periods at 50% rate, they then get averaged into the monthly rate to the landlord gets a steady income. That worked well for both of us though I freely admit I only got it because the chap desperately needed to fill the room.

dominoman

Given that he has asked for a reduction I would give it, assuming you want to keep him.

In my case I've told my lodger (Mo-Fri) that I wouldn't charge him at all over the Xmas break. Probably not necessary, but he's away and I'm away so it seems fair.