Money Moral Dilemma: Should I tell my lodger he's using too much water and energy or increase rent?

flyingflea

I had a lodger once that I later found out was cutting clients hair at my house and washing lots of towels every single day (they originally told me they were a mobile hairdresser). I only found out when I worked out how much water, gas and electricity was being used in comparison to the last 5 years or so and it was about 30% more (having always had a lodger). We had a conversation where I illustrated the extr usage and explained that moving forward I would be increasing the bills accordingly. They didn't like that and I explained that they can always move out. They moved out not too long after that.

So to answer the OP, yes I would absolutely increase the rent but I wouldn't bother wasting your time trying to get them not be wasteful. Will just make things more stressful and awkward.

Marcon

If you've said nothing to date, getting aggrieved now because he hasn't read your mind (and that's what the question amounts to) is neither fair nor helpful. Instead of 'telling him', try talking to him and coming to a sensible agreement about how to move forward. If he's happy to change his behaviour and is able to do so, fine. If he says he will and doesn't, he needs to understand the consequences (but you need to be clear on how you are going to measure this change and over what period). If he doesn't want to know, give him notice.

brionyrose

Brings back memories. Having spent weeks deliberating about how to phrase it in a way that was friendly but clear, I think my lodger's exact response was a loud "you're not my mother so don't tell me what to do". Thankfully, he left not long afterwards, and the next one was better.

Louispastrami

As many have said tip toeing around with passive aggressive features us a waste of time.
Be honest and direct and straightforward.
Water is £1.46 per cubic metre or 1000 litres, heating it for a sjowever depends on your tariff but as we all know, it ain't cheap.

I've had lodgers for 30 years on and off. Some people aren't fit for human habitation. I personally would go out of my mind with someone taking over the bathroom for 45 minutes. But you know your own boundaries. Set them and stick to them. There are 9 lodgers for every spare room in London....

Groom

Speak to him and explain that your bills have shot up and that you are going to have to watch the amount of energy and water that is used. If he watches the news he will know that any way. Tell him that he can either help by limiting what he uses, or you will have to put his rent up by the same percent that your bills have increased. 

gmf_2

Surely he's aware the whole country is facing huge increases in energy and water bills?  You will have to talk to him.   Suggest he starts contributing towards these bills?  Until he has to pay out himself, he'll never understand the cost of his 45-minute showers!

[Deleted User]

Yes yu should. Of course

relishthechallenge

I think the way forward is to have a simple conversation with him. Something along the lines of... 'Your rent includes utilities, but that was based on prices before the recent huge increases, which are now having a significant effect on my bills. I hope you understand I need to increase your rent by £..., which I think should cover your usage'. If it isn't OK, then he needs to go. 

MalMonroe

No need to go in with all guns blazing. Or using the tried and tested British approach - glaring and hoping the message gets through. In some magical way.

Talk to your lodger. Tell him what you've told us. Many people (it can't just be me who has met them?) are just plain thoughtless. Most of them mean no harm. 

He'll probably be horrified when you tell him how much it's costing and how he is being extremely wasteful. He probably thinks that because he's paying rent, he can do as he likes.

Just have a chat. If nothing is solved, then you can bring out those guns and tell him he'll have to go if he won't comply. If he offers to pay more rent all well and good but give the chap a chance to mend his ways first. He's obviously not a hint-taker. I'm not either, so I know what it's like. I need people to tell me straight. I appreciate that and probably so will he.

CapeTown

I had same problem.  2 hour showers. I told her she would have to pay share of bills. She left. Thank  god