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Take in a lodger... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

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  • There are quite a few websites now for lodgers - has anyone got any experince of what they are like?
  • Yep - I've used Monday to Friday and so far it's delivered me two reliable lodgers
    QB
  • harryhound
    harryhound Posts: 2,662 Forumite
    jutheboy wrote: »
    Hi everyone,i am new to the forum so i hope i am posting this in the correct place.my wife and i now have 3 empty bedrooms as our children have all left home now.so we are getting 3 student lodgers.i know that my wife can claim the $4250 tax break,my question is ,is that on top of the normal personal allowance ?i work full time and pay tax,my wife does not pay tax....any help will be appreciated.

    Who owns your house?

    If you post this as your own thread on the "Tax Saving" part of the forum, you may well get a chapter and verse reply linked to the UK tax code - now the world's largest.
  • Pontoon
    Pontoon Posts: 59 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    I am looking for a lodger agreement online.
    I officially live in my flat and I have a room and occasionally stay there, but mostly I stay at my boyfriends. This means I have decided to take on another lodger with the intention in the next 6 months or so I might officially move out, though i'll still use my room as personal storage as my boyfriends isn't big enough for all our stuff.
    I'm aware there is possibly a difference between a renting a room with live in landlord and a "renting a room in a flat" agreement, but I was just wondering if there is, what it is?

    Can anyone point me at example agreements? Preferably Scottish ones as I am aware that there is a difference between Scots and English law.
    x21 :D
  • I managed to find something. I hope these documents help others. I begrudge paying £10 or more on all these other websites for something you can't even see. These ones appear to be free :) My favourite price.

    http://www.routledgelaw.com/pocketlawyers/YouAndYour/02%20Lodger%20Agreement.doc

    http://www.routledgelaw.com/pocketlawyers/YouAndYour/03%20Lodger%20Agreement%20Standard%20Provisions.doc
    x21 :D
  • Firstly I am relatively new to this so hope I've posted this in the right place, forgive me if I haven't!

    I have had a lodger now since Sept and every month the rent and bill money has arrived on time. The agreement is rent plus split bills however she has just come to pay rent and has said she is giving me half the bill money as she is away on friday for christmas and won't be back until 12 Jan. I understand she is away however phone/net/insurance/tv still all need to be paid even if they are not used over christmas.

    When she said it I explained this and she then offered another £10 and as I don't want to upset her as she has been such a good lodger so far I said this would be fine but it is now annoying me because my understanding from any flats I stayed in previously to buying the rules were all bills are split even if you choose to go away on holiday for a few weeks. Am I being unreasonable or is this the usual rules? I just feel it is a little cheeky as I am not going to be at home either for this period as I am flying to France to join my other half for Christmas.

    Am I being unreasonable?
  • h8money wrote: »
    I have been advertising for a lodger for the last 3 weeks..... not heard a peep!!! I know it its probably the wrong time of year with xmas looming and the credit crunch etc..... can anyone suggest places I can advertise for a professional to house share? I have a modern 2 bed house, furnished room, all in for £320 per month.... thought I would get my hand snapped off! :rolleyes:


    Have you tried Zoopla.co.uk

    Once you've registered there is a Houseshare section where homeowners can advertise rooms to rent. And people who are looking for a room to rent can advertise themselves. I know a couple of people who have used this successfully
  • GavB79
    GavB79 Posts: 751 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    BetsyBoo wrote: »
    Firstly I am relatively new to this so hope I've posted this in the right place, forgive me if I haven't!

    I have had a lodger now since Sept and every month the rent and bill money has arrived on time. The agreement is rent plus split bills however she has just come to pay rent and has said she is giving me half the bill money as she is away on friday for christmas and won't be back until 12 Jan. I understand she is away however phone/net/insurance/tv still all need to be paid even if they are not used over christmas.

    When she said it I explained this and she then offered another £10 and as I don't want to upset her as she has been such a good lodger so far I said this would be fine but it is now annoying me because my understanding from any flats I stayed in previously to buying the rules were all bills are split even if you choose to go away on holiday for a few weeks. Am I being unreasonable or is this the usual rules? I just feel it is a little cheeky as I am not going to be at home either for this period as I am flying to France to join my other half for Christmas.

    Am I being unreasonable?

    You're not being unreasonable! If you go on holiday you don't get a council tax refund for the period you are not there do you! Is it her first time renting? I would take the £10 this time but make it clear that in future she can't do this
  • zzzLazyDaisy
    zzzLazyDaisy Posts: 12,497 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Pontoon wrote: »
    I am looking for a lodger agreement online.
    I officially live in my flat and I have a room and occasionally stay there, but mostly I stay at my boyfriends. This means I have decided to take on another lodger with the intention in the next 6 months or so I might officially move out, though i'll still use my room as personal storage as my boyfriends isn't big enough for all our stuff.
    I'm aware there is possibly a difference between a renting a room with live in landlord and a "renting a room in a flat" agreement, but I was just wondering if there is, what it is?

    Can anyone point me at example agreements? Preferably Scottish ones as I am aware that there is a difference between Scots and English law.

    I can't comment on Scottish law, but in E&W a person living in the home where you also live, sharing facilities with you, is a lodger. This means they have few rights and can be asked to leave when it suits you.

    If you move out, the 'lodgers' become tenants of the property with exclusive occupation and you get all the landlord obligations. It does mean that you can probably charge more, and they would be responsible for the bills etc, but it is a whole different ball game.
    I'm a retired employment solicitor. Hopefully some of my comments might be useful, but they are only my opinion and not intended as legal advice.
  • pete_v
    pete_v Posts: 56 Forumite
    SFARAH wrote: »
    I think it's really inappropriate that this tip suggests you can use tenants deposits as income. IT IS NOT INCOME FOR YOU TO SPEND!!! A deposit has to be placed under a deposit protection scheme. You will have to give it back when the tenancy ends unless you can prove their is a ligitimate reason for you having to keep it.

    That's true, if you're renting out a property under the normal Assured Shorthold Tenancy.

    It is not true if you're letting a room in your home to a lodger.

    You must of course return the deposit (minus any reasonable deductions, like filling the holes my last one left from hanging his bicycle on the wall above his bed) but there is no need to use a deposit scheme.

    Pete
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