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

judithoward

I had a friend to stay for several months who did this, and also kept her light on all night, and she wasn't even paying rent!!   I would definitely tell him clearly, and if there's no improvement, give notice.  Some tenancies list utilities separately from actual rent, and this would be a good idea, as there's less argument when prices go up. 

lornfile

Give the lodger the choice. My guess is that he'll prefer to be careful with utilities rather than face a rent increase.

ginger_chocolate

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.

This. 

It's possible he has no idea how long he's actually spending in the shower (I suffer with time-blindness - a common symptom for people with ADHD and certain other conditions - without an actual clock or timer in front of my face I have no idea how long anything is taking me).

If this is the first place he's lived other than his parents he may also have no concept of how much utilities actually cost, and whilst this is annoying, it's not really his fault - you don't know what you don't know unless someone points it out-  so you may need to gently explain this. Give him the opportunity to reduce his usage over the next month to see if it makes a difference to the bills, then if you do have to put them up, explain why.

Yeah sure, he may be inconsiderate and wasteful, but more likely he's just young and inexperienced and hasn't realised it's a problem.

jj_43

Increase the rent. If they ask why say energy and water costs are high (maybe they will get the hint). No need to start telling don't do this or that.

awm49

Hints never work they need to speak with them directly. I would give them two options - 1 curb your usage 2 Increase rent and leave it up to him. I have never had a 45 minute shower in my life, I consider it a luxury to go over 5, I even turn the water off when lathering. 

RobM99

Dizzybird_22 said:

Stop hinting and tell them directly. Show them the bills if that helps....explain if it doesn't improve you will have to increase the rent. 

Just wondering how a human being can spend 45 minutes in a shower. I've got a teen daughter who doesn't take that long!

That made me chuckle!!   But yes, increase the rent. You are effectively running a business and energy is a valid business expense which must be passed on to the customer (the lodger). I wouldn't worry about the cost of water, it'll be relatively small but yes, energy is costly as we all know. You're not a free charity.

gloriouslyhappy

I've just had to have this conversation with a young relative who's staying for a month while attending an intensive course nearby. After a week of excessive use, I sat them down and explained - again, I did it before they came to stay - that energy costs are sky high and I'm being very careful with use and I expect the same of them. No more heating up the oven for 30 minutes to reheat one slice of pizza! Use the microwave! No more leaving their laptop plugged in all day - charge and unplug. Switch off lights. Etc. I said any more extravagance and I will deduct some money from the £500 I've giving them for their 21st birthday in November to cover the cost. I think that got their attention. 

RobM99

On the shower theme - for me this morn - 7 minutes in total, 14p says smart meter.

FreeBear

RobM99 said: On the shower theme - for me this morn - 7 minutes in total, 14p says smart meter.

What on earth were you doing for seven minutes ???

Had a young lady stay last weekend (potential new lodger), and she took just four minutes in the shower. Myself, I'm usually around 3-4 minutes.

Ramouth

FreeBear said:

RobM99 said: On the shower theme - for me this morn - 7 minutes in total, 14p says smart meter.

What on earth were you doing for seven minutes ???

Had a young lady stay last weekend (potential new lodger), and she took just four minutes in the shower. Myself, I'm usually around 3-4 minutes.

It depends on your hair!  It takes way longer than 4 min to just to rinse the soap and conditioner out.  I could run the shower faster but that would mean wasting more water / gas I think.  Water hardness may also be a factor - ours is very soft which means more bubbles.