Taking in a lodger

Mr_Curious

Hi Guys,

Due to unforseen circumstances I am looking at taking on a lodger. The property is not rented. The lodger is someone I know well and get on with. However I would still want to write up some form of contact stating rent, when its due, areas of the house that can be used, basic house rules etc. My question is - Is there anything I should try not to over look? Any draft templates out there? Anything obvious that I may have overlooked? Any previous experience from you guys?

All responses welcome

Thank you,

Mr_C

sevenhills

Here is some information. I believe you can pay £7.50 to download a simple contract.

https://www.spareroom.co.uk/content/info-landlords/lodger-agreement/

https://www.spareroom.co.uk/content/info-landlords/advice-landlord/

Pixie5740

This assumes you are in England or Wales....

Firstly you need to ensure that your lodger (excluded occupier) has the right to rent. You will also need to have a Gas Safety Certificate (if there are gas appliances in the property) which needs to be renewed annually.

The agreement can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Keep the notice period short, say 1 week, and don't set up a fixed term agreement for 6 months, 12 months, etc. You don't want to be stuck living in your home with someone you're not getting on with but can't (legally) get rid of.

Mojisola

Mr_Curious wrote: »

The lodger is someone I know well and get on with. However I would still want to write up some form of contact stating rent, when its due, areas of the house that can be used, basic house rules etc.

When, as is almost inevitable, your lodger starts doing something you're not happy about (because we all have different views of what's 'normal'), sort it out immediately and calmly - don't wait and stew over it until it becomes a big issue.

boliston

Pixie5740 wrote: »

This assumes you are in England or Wales....

Firstly you need to ensure that your lodger (excluded occupier) has the right to rent. You will also need to have a Gas Safety Certificate (if there are gas appliances in the property) which needs to be renewed annually.

The agreement can be as simple or as complicated as you like. Keep the notice period short, say 1 week, and don't set up a fixed term agreement for 6 months, 12 months, etc. You don't want to be stuck living in your home with someone you're not getting on with but can't (legally) get rid of.

A lodger has pretty much zero rights so you could not be "stuck" with one.

Pixie5740

boliston wrote: »

A lodger has pretty much zero rights so you could not be "stuck" with one.

You can if you give the lodger rights by offering a 6 month contract hence the advice not to do it.

G_M

boliston wrote: »

A lodger has pretty much zero rights so you could not be "stuck" with one.

A lodger has no statututory rights provided by government.

But has whatever rights are mutually agreed and written into a contract, hence pixie's sensible advice above.

Agree (verbally or in a written contract) a periodic licence either month by month or better still week by week. This can continue for years if things work out, but means if you end up getting on each others' t*ts it can be quickly an easily ended.

more ideas below:


LODGERS (Licencees/Excluded Occupiers)
A lodger (broadly) lives in the same property with a resident landlord & shares facilities. Unlike tenants, lodgers have few rights.

The Housing Act 1988 provides definitions of 'Resident Landlord' & 'same property' (S31 & Schedule 1 (10).

See:

LodgerLandlord (21 tips from solicitor Tessa Shepperson + General information site)

Landlordzone (Various articles on taking in lodgers)

Renting out rooms in your home (Government info)

Rent a Room Scheme (HMRC guide for tax-free income from lodgers)

gettingtheresometime

Getting on with someone is not the same as getting on with someone & living with them

EachPenny

Forget all the nonsense about contracts and notice and safety certificates etc* the only thing that matters is sorting out:
1) Who does the washing up
2) Who empties the bins
3) Who cleans/unblocks the toilet and bath

Provided these three simply things are agreed, your home will be bliss and all the other stuff unimportant.

* I jest of course - these things are absolutely critical to get right. Because even if the three domestic chores above are agreed, sooner or later one of you will find something to fall out over. Toenail clippings in the sink for example. When that happens the contract and notice period will be your saviour.

PasturesNew

The problem area most hit, where rent is being paid on time, is visitors, guests, friends ... how many/how often.

If you come in and every time they're in the lounge, with 6 mates and a takeaway watching Bang Babes on the telly in their grundies while passing lewd comments, how'd you feel?

What if they were bringing home random strangers they collected in nightclubs?

What if they had a partner who then "dominated" the space - and even appeared to also have a key?

saajan_12

The basic details of rent, notice, deposit should be written in a contract. Beyond that, I would write up and discuss a set of 'house rules'.. not necessarily as a legal document, but to ensure everyone is on the same page and to save the argument later. Most people are reasonable in sticking by an agreement (if they don't you have a max 1 weeks notice to evict written in the contract) but may have different definitions. I would include things like

1) Overnight guests: how frequently, do they have to meet you first so there isn't a stranger in the hallway at night? sleeping in the lodger's room or in the common areas?

2) Daytime guests: let you know before a big gathering / party? how many people is a big gathering?

3) Cleaning duties: rota or clean after yourself? who does general vacuum cleaning / dusting / windows / oven?

4) Shared belongings: can they use your kitchen equipment / cutlery / cleaning equipment?

5) Utilities: do they need their own tv licence? can they use landline phone / tv package? who pays bills?