Lodger and attitude towards heating

beckysheffield

I have a lodger and have had her since April I think. 

She’s been turning the heating on in her bedroom and also today she’s got the Dyson hot/cold heater fan on, as well as a blanket. She’s watching Tv.

We are in Manchester and it’s raining and not great weather - but at the same time I would t consider it cold. 

I’m worried about the costs and her ability to keep warm - when it’s not even what I would consider cold. 

Great that utility bills have come down to be 100%+ more than in 2020, but still I don’t want the added stress. 

I’ve got heated blanket on the bed and the settee. I have smart TRVs on the radiators.

Any thoughts on what I can do? 

It’s a semi detached old house. I’m also pregnant and she’s due to move out when I’ve given birth. 

Her last house she said she never had the heating on as it was storage heaters and expensive etc. I’m not sure if I explicitly stated I’m a meanie with the heating and don’t feel the cold. 

Any thoughts? 

Mstty

Yes have a at with her and say if you need excess heat during the summer months you will have to up the lodgers rent.

beckysheffield

I’ve asked this before and people have stated I’m a money grabbing landlord… because £500 etc. 

sheramber

beckysheffield said:

I’ve asked this before and people have stated I’m a money grabbing landlord… because £500 etc. 

What people?

Show her waht your concumption over the same period was last year and  charge her for the extra units.

propertyrental

It's your home so up to you to set the rules (thermostat setting, additional heater use etc) and /or set the rent (eg to account for extra costs.

And then it's up to her to abide by the rules/ret payments etc, or leav.

But of course if you're going to continue living together then the relationship also needs to be maintained, so as Mstty says, a friendly chat to discuss/explain is the 1st step.

Brie

One of the reasons to have a tenant is help cover some of the costs of a household.  If this isn't happening then either she's got to go or the rent's got to go up.  

housebuyer143

You need to remember though it's almost sept and just because you don't consider it cold, doesn't mean others don't. My husband would have the heating on now if I let him as he says he's cold. Everyone is different, so I'm not sure it's right to dictate to someone when they can and can't use the heating. If they are cold while sitting under a blanket and wearing a jacket then they are cold. 

If it were July then I would think words should be had, but in a week or 2 it will be the time that many start to use the heating and this wouldn't be classed as crazy. What month are you considering it acceptable for her rent to include heat? 

beckysheffield

housebuyer143 said:

You need to remember though it's almost sept and just because you don't consider it cold, doesn't mean others don't. My husband would have the heating on now if I let him as he says he's cold. Everyone is different, so I'm not sure it's right to dictate to someone when they can and can't use the heating. If they are cold while sitting under a blanket and wearing a jacket then they are cold. 

If it were July then I would think words should be had, but in a week or 2 it will be the time that many start to use the heating and this wouldn't be classed as crazy. What month are you considering it acceptable for her rent to include heat? 

She had it on last month as well. To be honest most people I know don’t put the heating on until much later in the year - October.

I’m also pregnant so my temperature takes president.

also if someone is cold and they are wearing a hoodie, blanket and have the heating on…. And still cold, I have a feeling it’s a medical issue/their internal body temp and putting on the heating won’t help? 

lika_86

beckysheffield said:

housebuyer143 said:

You need to remember though it's almost sept and just because you don't consider it cold, doesn't mean others don't. My husband would have the heating on now if I let him as he says he's cold. Everyone is different, so I'm not sure it's right to dictate to someone when they can and can't use the heating. If they are cold while sitting under a blanket and wearing a jacket then they are cold. 

If it were July then I would think words should be had, but in a week or 2 it will be the time that many start to use the heating and this wouldn't be classed as crazy. What month are you considering it acceptable for her rent to include heat? 

She had it on last month as well. 

I’m also pregnant so my temperature takes president.

also if someone is cold and they are wearing a hoodie, blanket and have the heating on…. And still cold, I have a feeling it’s a medical issue/their internal body temp and putting on the heating won’t help? 

So if you're boiling hot in December when it's freezing outside because you're pregnant, would you not allow the heating on even if the house is really cold and your lodger is cold? 

la531983

lika_86 said:

beckysheffield said:

housebuyer143 said:

You need to remember though it's almost sept and just because you don't consider it cold, doesn't mean others don't. My husband would have the heating on now if I let him as he says he's cold. Everyone is different, so I'm not sure it's right to dictate to someone when they can and can't use the heating. If they are cold while sitting under a blanket and wearing a jacket then they are cold. 

If it were July then I would think words should be had, but in a week or 2 it will be the time that many start to use the heating and this wouldn't be classed as crazy. What month are you considering it acceptable for her rent to include heat? 

She had it on last month as well. 

I’m also pregnant so my temperature takes president.

also if someone is cold and they are wearing a hoodie, blanket and have the heating on…. And still cold, I have a feeling it’s a medical issue/their internal body temp and putting on the heating won’t help? 

So if you're boiling hot in December when it's freezing outside because you're pregnant, would you not allow the heating on even if the house is really cold and your lodger is cold? 

I doubt she would be that unreasonable. The heating on in July and August though? 

beckysheffield

He theromater is reading 20/21 and her room smart trv is 21. She will put on the heating when she goes to bed - so she’s going to have to use the heated blanket I got her. 

I don’t know if that’s being fair or not? 

I just can’t stand a warm home.