Taking in Lodger in a 1 bedroom flat

Trallallero

Hi all, I am currently looking to buy a flat. I’ve found a 1 bedroom flat with a large kitchen room (there is also a table with chairs), 1 bathroom, and a small living room.
My idea was to turn the living room in a single bedroom for me, and rent out the main bedroom (it can potentially fit a small sofa in, on top of bed, wardrobe...) to a lodger.
Would there be any issues with council taxes, insurance, mortgage in your opinion?

MaryNB

Some leases may not allow lodgers. My friend's wife owned a flat with this rule but they never found out she had a lodger. 

Council tax: you'll lose your single person discount

Mortgage: check with your lender but a single lodger shouldn't be an issue. For example, halifax said I could have a max of two lodgers. 
Not sure about insurance, best check with whatever provider you go with.

Make sure to provide them with a lodger agreement. Do not use the word tenant or tenancy anywhere and set out some house rules (e.g. no loud music after 10pm etc.)

Slithery

Would your lodger have to walk through your 'bedroom' to get to theirs?

Lodgers aren't second-class citizens...

greatcrested

From a legal perspective it's not a problem provided you follow the various rules.

From a practical perspective... well, I think it's mad, but if you find a lodger desperate enough, and make the rent cheap enough, go for it!

Post 10: Lodgers: advice & links for landlords & lodgers

zagubov

We can't see the floorplan. As other have said, there's stickies to remind you of what should be in a contract e.g. notice/guests/pets/smoking/noise/cleaning/locks/deposit/bills, etc. You may need a gas certificate.
I'm in London and loads of people are/rent to lodgers.
If renting to friends/family, even more reason for rules, or they just won't get what to do.

xylophone

 (it can potentially fit a small sofa in, on top of bed, wardrobe...) 

Picturing this made me smile......

cymruchris

xylophone said:

 (it can potentially fit a small sofa in, on top of bed, wardrobe...) 

Picturing this made me smile......

I can picture it now....

steampowered

Wait - so the kitchen and dining table would be in your room? Do you want a lodger eating on your bed?

hazyjo

Also most lodgers will want access to a lounge, they are unlikely to want to  be confined to their room.

As above, layout please! Are the bathroom and kitchen at least accessible without going through the lounge (AKA your bedroom!).

Sounds like hell to me, but who knows. Someone will prob be interested!

Can you stretch to a 2 bed if you rethink the location?

Trallallero

Slithery said:

Would your lodger have to walk through your 'bedroom' to get to theirs?

Lodgers aren't second-class citizens...

Of course no. From the corridor he can access the kitchen/dining area, his bedroom, and the toilet

Trallallero

steampowered said:

Wait - so the kitchen and dining table would be in your room? Do you want a lodger eating on your bed?

No, they are separate rooms.
there is:
- 1 large bedroom
- 1 kitchen/dining
- 1 bathroom 
- 1 small “living room” that I want to turn into a single bedroom for myself