Taking in Lodger in a 1 bedroom flat

Trallallero

greatcrested said:

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

Thanks. The problem for me is not to find a lodger (I also have a friend interested, the lodger won’t feel miserable at all, their bedroom is quite large and I can place a small sofa in there) but just the legal aspect of it. I’ve seen this arrangement in many houses here in London, where the living room is turned into an extra bedroom. I was just wondering from a legal point of view if this is ok.

wannabe_a_saver

If there are two rooms that are completely self contained and both have access to the shared kitchen/dining area/bathroom then its not a problem.  Essentially its a 2 bed flat with no living room.  

It will be a bit miserable for you though, living in a tiny single room with nowhere else to really spend any time, are you sure you want that?  

Murphybear

How about finding someone who is only looking to be a lodger in the week then going home at weekends.

This would give you your weekends free and if the lodger were only looking for somewhere to lay their head they might be ok with the smaller room.  

The only drawback would be less rent but, as others have pointed out, if you only had access to the small room 100% of your time you might find it unsustainable. 

Trallallero

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I am often at boyfriends and friends place (well I will be after the lockdown) and also the flat has a large shared garden with tables and chairs so I won’t feel too miserable (I live in a tiny studio flat at the moment so I will actually have more space!), my only concern was the legal aspect of it. Thanks for the suggestions! 

xylophone

I can picture it now....

I love it.  

saajan_12

The legal aspect is no different to a 2 bed flat. You're still sharing the kitchen and bathroom, so the Rent A Room scheme still applies (ie not creating separate bedsits etc). Many student, young professional and sharer properties are set up this way, with a table for eating in the kitchen and people generally doing their 'lounging' in their bedrooms. 

The usual advice for lodgers still applies: Write up a simple agreement stating rent, notice period, etc. They are a lodger and the agreement is a licence (not tenant and tenancy). Discuss simple house rules before you start and then write them up so there's no misunderstanding. Likely won't be legally enforceable, but good as point of reference for minor differences in how you live that can become big. 

GDB2222

Trallallero said:

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I am often at boyfriends and friends place (well I will be after the lockdown) and also the flat has a large shared garden with tables and chairs so I won’t feel too miserable (I live in a tiny studio flat at the moment so I will actually have more space!), my only concern was the legal aspect of it. Thanks for the suggestions! 

I don't know why everyone has been so negative. It seems to me that you have thought this out quite well. Obviously, a 2 bed flat would be even better, but if this is what you can afford .... 

Just check your lease, your mortgage, and the insurance. 

greatcrested

GDB2222 said:

Trallallero said:

Thanks for the suggestions and advice. I am often at boyfriends and friends place (well I will be after the lockdown) and also the flat has a large shared garden with tables and chairs so I won’t feel too miserable (I live in a tiny studio flat at the moment so I will actually have more space!), my only concern was the legal aspect of it. Thanks for the suggestions! 

Just check your lease, your mortgage, and the insurance. 

Be careful 'checking your mortgage'.

When phoning the lender, many call-centre staff have little understanding of the legal distinction between a 'tenant' and a 'lodger'.

Typically a tenant is not permitted with a residential mortgage, or only permitted with special permission (CTL), so you may open a can or worms by asking if the employee thinks that what you intend.

Equally typically, lodgers do not require permission and are fine.

The rationale behind this is that tenants have rights, so if you run up mortgage arrears and the lender repossesses from you, they are stuck with a tenant. Lodgers have few rights, so if the lender repossesses they can easily remove the lodger.

Trallallero

Thanks everyone!

Marcon

Not sure if you've read this, but if not it could be useful: https://www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme