Lodger agreement reasonable?

kinger101

Good grief. It's the lodger's home too. You're not suited to this. Not a criticism. Just an observation. It's clear you'd resent their presence, and they'd know this.

YoungBlueEyes

I don't think anyone else has said this - aren't you planning to talk to/interact with the stoodent? Why can't you sometimes share the kitchen? If you're quite particular about how/when you like to cook/shower etc, would it be an idea to let him know your schedule so he can workaround accordingly? If you like to eat late, and stoodent gets home late, can't he rustle up a bread sandwich while you're eating? If you shower for 20 mins at 7am every day, let him pick when else he'd like to shower?

It comes across as you wanting a cash cow, but without interference or interruption to your life. He might say this is ok in the beginning, but will it work long term when he gets his foot in the door?

(I say this as someone who's never had a lodger, nor been a lodger.)

Marvel1

I leave for work 6:30am and have a morning shower.

Sometimes I'm not hungry until after 7:30pm.

It's not for me and neither ifs for you.

FBaby

I think it's great that you've set up clear boundaries. It's often because things are not clear in advance that the arrangements goes wrong. In the end, what you listed is no different to what families do to respect each other.

They key point though is flexibility and discussing matters ahead of time. Personally, these rules would have no phased me as a student if it meant having a nice clean bedroom in a quiet and relaxed home at a very good price.

financegeek

when i first read this, i thought they're remarkably similar to the types of rules I'd need in place to live with someone else, hence i live by myself (too many years in shared houses have ruined communal living for me!)

if the lodger is happy with it though and you've got a compromise then i can't see the issue. it sounds as though you're at home / wanting to use the communal facilities at different times, so could work out well.

it also sounds as though he's not your typical student so will hopefully be respectful and communicate if he's finding the restrictions difficult.

as a side thought, if he's a fan of late showers etc and it sounds as though his room is bigger, could you not swap rooms? that way you're not disturbed by late night showers and also have your own sofa / desk space you can retreat to in your room if necessary?

G_M

I think we should differentiate between our advice about setting up rules/boundaries, and the rules themselves.


The OP is very wise to discuss and agree house rules with an incoming lodger. It ensures (as far as one is able) that the prospective lodger and landlord are compatible, and reduces (not removes) the risk of clashes in lifestyle/behavior later.


But in this case I agree the rules are pretty excessive and it would be a rare lodger who would be happy to accept and abide by them.

FBaby

I think what is reasonable depends on many factors. These rules would be perfectly fine with me and would have been when I was younger because they fit around my lifestyle.

I've read that the shower thing in the morning is if the lodger want to spend time in there during these time (ie. when it needs to be shared) but that OP has no issue if he wants to shower after they've gone to work.

In the end, the lodger can take it or leave it. If he is getting a good deal rent wise and these rules are not much different to what he does now, he would be mad not to take the opportunity.

todayisagreatday

The sceptical side of me says that you are going to have your place full of his mates in the day, doing their laundry and making the most of times when you aren't at home.

I have never have lived in shared accommodation, though I have friends who do it in London. If it was a nicer place with cheaper rent I'd prefer to stay with someone that has rules and takes pride in their home than a place where there are no rules and it's horrible accommodation but I agree their needs to be a balance. My other half is doing a Msc and classes start at 9am and it's not unusual for her to finish at 5pm, head to the library and not get in until later. One of my friends stayed with an elderly person in a stunningly beautiful home when her mates were in dire student digs. She had some rules to follow and would help out with shopping etc and said she preferred this than the chaos and appalling standards of accommodation some of her fellow students ended up in.

Good luck op. Hope it works out.