Lodger Wanting to have a Student Over for Lesson

Honeylife

As it says. My Lodger wants to have a student over regularly (weekly) for a music lesson in his room. Sounds harmless, but am not sure. I could just say a straightforward no but it got me thinking and I want to be accurate in my response.

Would this be "a business on the (my) premises"?

Is it allowed under a Licence Agreement? Or is there some regulation somewhere that disallows this.

What about my Insurance should this potential student e.g. fall down the (my) stairs or similar?

Anyone experienced this?

TripleH

If they are receiving a fee outside their normal course of employment thrn yes I would say this is a business. Hence you then have to think what is the impact if things go wrong, the student slips coming into your house on an icy day and sues you? I think your insurance might invalidate your policy for this, might be worth ringing them or discussing with lodger as they might have such cover? (Above is off top of my head example, sure there are many scenarios both pro and con).

AdrianC

Honeylife wrote: »

As it says. My Lodger wants to have a student over regularly (weekly) for a music lesson in his room. Sounds harmless, but am not sure. I could just say a straightforward no but it got me thinking and I want to be accurate in my response.

"Accurate" in what way?
Whichever answer you give, so long as you mean it, isn't that "accurate"?

Would this be "a business on the (my) premises"?

Yes. Does it matter?
Don't forget that there's a strong argument that your letting a spare room out is a business activity, too. Do you ever check work emails or take any work home with you?

Is it allowed under a Licence Agreement? Or is there some regulation somewhere that disallows this.

I don't know - I can't read any licence agreement between you and your lodger.
No, there's no "regulation" that prevents it.
It may be forbidden in your lease or a covenant for your property, but will that be a showstopper?

What about my Insurance should this potential student e.g. fall down the (my) stairs or similar?

What happens if your lodger falls down the stairs? Or their mate who's just popped round for something?

Anyone experienced this?

Falling down stairs? Yes. It hurts.

PasturesNew

It's an issue on two levels.

1/ Are you happy with this? Personally I'd not want a weekly stranger plodding through the house creating a din... potentially having to be pleasant to a stranger and exchange social pleasantries and mind what I'm wearing in my own house.

2/ It is a business, an income the lodger is benefitting from. I'd prefer it if the lodger took a professional viewpoint on this and made their own, alternative, arrangements and found another venue for their tutoring. After all, when does it stop? One/week, recommended a friend now it's two, now there's a pair, now they're forming a little quartet and practising?

I'd just say no and lie through my teeth with a half convincing lie about why I wasn't allowed to allow them. But that's just me. I'm not a people person

Murphybear

Have you asked what this music lesson entails? Beginners learning the violin is not very relaxing.

Beginners learning the bagpipes is - you don’t want to go there.

davidmcn

AdrianC wrote: »

What happens if your lodger falls down the stairs? Or their mate who's just popped round for something?

Normal domestic visitors (and probably lodgers) would be covered under a standard home insurance policy. Would be a different risk if there's actually a business being run from the premises with a regular flow of customers, though this sounds so ancillary to domestic use that I doubt it's an issue.

M_Python

I'd be more concerned about him having a student (so possibly young) in his bedroom :eek:

need_an_answer

I would perhaps say that no your property isn't geared to the set up the lodger requires.

Perhaps in some respects that sounds harsh however if one student comes along,another may follow and before you know it there is a steady stream through your house at regular intervals.

When my children were younger they had music lessons at private tutors houses,it was all set up well within a proper music room (converted bedroom).Where neighbours did become impacted was the extra traffic waiting during lessons outside the property.
Its not just whether you can be tolerant of the lessons but there may be impacting issues for your neighbours

G_M

Some fascinating replies, especially post 7. Huge assumption about both age, and activity.......


From the age of 6 I spent an hour a week alone with my violin teacher.

Cakeguts

If it is a child under 18 the answer is no because you would need a DBS check for your own benefit as it is your property. If it is an adult that is fine as long as it doesn't involve actually playing anything. Music lessons can include music theory which doesn't involve any playing.

FreeBear

Your house, your rules.
Hopefully, you included a section in the licence agreement that allowed for variations to "house rules" at any time.