Lodger Additional Energy Use

RangerLife

I tried having a look around for how others deal with my question, but haven't had much luck. Apologies for the long post...
I'm a live-in landlady and have been renting out one, and then two, of my spare rooms for the last year. After each lodger I have updated the lodger agreement and 'House Rules' documents to adjust minor quibbles I've learned from. This has been relatively successful and I understand that it'll be difficult to try to be 100% happy with anyone that moves in. I'm very particular about being vegan and as eco friendly as possible in the home.

I currently have two lodgers, one actually is close to 100% a match for my hopes and expectations. The other is 99% there.
I tell this story to set the scene. The 99% one races through loo roll at a rate of knots. There have been instances where she has used one loo roll in 24 hours. I put loo roll down as a bills inclusive thing as I get them from a carefully researched as-eco-as-I-can-get company. I spoke to her about the usage a week or so ago, and she stated that she was very hurt that I'd brought it up (I know she uses it for her nose, but I'm not sure what else). I've bought her facial tissues to try to mitigate it, but it doesn't seem to be working. I've decided to leave this issue be as the following one is more pressing now.

I had solar panels, a battery and an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) installed earlier in the year (government grant and loan), and found it all very useful during the summer. With 3 of us in the house, and the ASHP running, bills have gone up into the winter as I expected. However, I hadn't considered that 99% had brought a wee room heater with her... On the inverter app it shows that the room heater uses close to the same kWh of energy as the ASHP does for the whole house. She sits around in a wee cami top with the room at tropical heat levels, and sometimes leaves her door open with it running when she is in the kitchen cooking.
I try to avoid the high tariff times (4-7pm) for using big energy appliances, so when she came home the other night and I was just cooking tea after 7, she commented that she'd have been starving by that time, why did I wait? I explained about the tariff, and her response was that I had two lodgers so effectively shouldn't be bothered about the cost of things. I did mention the debt I have, plus I have a mortgage rise next year, and I need a cushion for if a solar panel breaks/I need a new car etc.

With these two reactions (hurt over the loo roll gate and that she thinks I'm now rolling in it) I'm unsure how, or if, to move forward bringing up the energy usage of her heater (new adjustment once she moves out and I redo the paperwork! ha!) and whether I can ask for a bit extra a week to cover it. I'm currently going through my supplier's info of energy use from just before she moved in and since she's been here, and there is a bit of a difference, but the ASHP would have worked harder on cold days too, and I didn't think to keep track of that til now (another learning curve). Me and 100% are more energy conscious, so I'd not be asking 100% for more, but even how to quantify it is difficult.

What would you do? Bring it up? Ask for £5 or £10 a week? Leave it be and learn from it?

hazyjo

If you need more to cover expenses, just put the rent up. I'd not be trying to justify it with 'you used X amount of electric or loo paper'. If she doesn't like it, let her leave. If she's 99% okay, I'd be inclined to let it go.

Heating really should have been discussed before they moved in. There's another thread about it currently, it's a very common issue.

_Penny_Dreadful

RangerLife said:

I tried having a look around for how others deal with my question, but haven't had much luck. Apologies for the long post...
I'm a live-in landlady and have been renting out one, and then two, of my spare rooms for the last year. After each lodger I have updated the lodger agreement and 'House Rules' documents to adjust minor quibbles I've learned from. This has been relatively successful and I understand that it'll be difficult to try to be 100% happy with anyone that moves in. I'm very particular about being vegan and as eco friendly as possible in the home.

I currently have two lodgers, one actually is close to 100% a match for my hopes and expectations. The other is 99% there.
I tell this story to set the scene. The 99% one races through loo roll at a rate of knots. There have been instances where she has used one loo roll in 24 hours. I put loo roll down as a bills inclusive thing as I get them from a carefully researched as-eco-as-I-can-get company. I spoke to her about the usage a week or so ago, and she stated that she was very hurt that I'd brought it up (I know she uses it for her nose, but I'm not sure what else). I've bought her facial tissues to try to mitigate it, but it doesn't seem to be working. I've decided to leave this issue be as the following one is more pressing now.

I had solar panels, a battery and an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) installed earlier in the year (government grant and loan), and found it all very useful during the summer. With 3 of us in the house, and the ASHP running, bills have gone up into the winter as I expected. However, I hadn't considered that 99% had brought a wee room heater with her... On the inverter app it shows that the room heater uses close to the same kWh of energy as the ASHP does for the whole house. She sits around in a wee cami top with the room at tropical heat levels, and sometimes leaves her door open with it running when she is in the kitchen cooking.
I try to avoid the high tariff times (4-7pm) for using big energy appliances, so when she came home the other night and I was just cooking tea after 7, she commented that she'd have been starving by that time, why did I wait? I explained about the tariff, and her response was that I had two lodgers so effectively shouldn't be bothered about the cost of things. I did mention the debt I have, plus I have a mortgage rise next year, and I need a cushion for if a solar panel breaks/I need a new car etc.

With these two reactions (hurt over the loo roll gate and that she thinks I'm now rolling in it) I'm unsure how, or if, to move forward bringing up the energy usage of her heater (new adjustment once she moves out and I redo the paperwork! ha!) and whether I can ask for a bit extra a week to cover it. I'm currently going through my supplier's info of energy use from just before she moved in and since she's been here, and there is a bit of a difference, but the ASHP would have worked harder on cold days too, and I didn't think to keep track of that til now (another learning curve). Me and 100% are more energy conscious, so I'd not be asking 100% for more, but even how to quantify it is difficult.

What would you do? Bring it up? Ask for £5 or £10 a week? Leave it be and learn from it?

I’m guessing from your user name and your use of the word “wee” that you’re in Scotland meaning your lodgers are common law tenants.  

What kind of contract is in place e.g. fixed term and does it say anything about how and when the rent can be increased? If you can I’d increase the rent for lodger 2 if lodger 2 is costing you more money. 

Jude57

 I don't understand why you'd buy tissues for an adult lodger. She's a stranger, not your child. Don't put yourself in the position of being responsible for her needs. And consider whether she has medical needs which necessitate what you call excessive use of toilet paper. She may not wish to discuss these with you but it's worth considering.

And if you're trying to be ecologically responsible, you could talk to the lodger about getting some reusable cleansing pads for facial use, rather than tissues. 

sevenhills

RangerLife said:

With these two reactions (hurt over the loo roll gate and that she thinks I'm now rolling in it) I'm unsure how, or if, to move forward bringing up the energy usage of her heater (new adjustment once she moves out and I redo the paperwork! ha!) and whether I can ask for a bit extra a week to cover it. I'm currently going through my supplier's info of energy use from just before she moved in and since she's been here, and there is a bit of a difference, but the ASHP would have worked harder on cold days too, and I didn't think to keep track of that til now (another learning curve). Me and 100% are more energy conscious, so I'd not be asking 100% for more, but even how to quantify it is difficult.

What would you do? Bring it up? Ask for £5 or £10 a week? Leave it be and learn from it?

From what you state, your issue is more about your lodgers not treating your edo views with respect, than the actual money. I have similar issues with my daughter and friend.

A large percentage of your heating bill, will be the standing change. So long as you charge a fair price, £300-£900 per month?

Google Spareroom and see what the going rate is in your area. If you are getting enough, just leave it.

amanda1024

You could say you’ll provide a certain number of toilet rolls a week/month but if they need more they’ll need to buy their own. I’d also be slightly concerned that a whole roll in 24 hours could potentially block the pipes. You could also ask that the room heater not be used during the high tariff time, but in return perhaps offer to see if you can adjust the settings on the main heating to heat that room more so there’s less need for the room heater - it can help to have some give and take.

breaking_free

amanda1024 said:

You could say you’ll provide a certain number of toilet rolls a week/month but if they need more they’ll need to buy their own. I’d also be slightly concerned that a whole roll in 24 hours could potentially block the pipes. You could also ask that the room heater not be used during the high tariff time, but in return perhaps offer to see if you can adjust the settings on the main heating to heat that room more so there’s less need for the room heater - it can help to have some give and take.

^This is excellent advice. I didn't provide loo roll as my lodger had an ensuite but I did buy the kitchen roll; several got chewed through in quick succession like they were going out of fashion, so I told him he'd have to buy the next one when it ran out - he cut down his usage a lot after that. Fortunately he was an absolute gem when it came to energy usage, but if he had taken the pee I'd have had a talk with him about chipping in extra to cover the excess bills. Communication is key. 

RangerLife

hazyjo said:

If you need more to cover expenses, just put the rent up. I'd not be trying to justify it with 'you used X amount of electric or loo paper'. If she doesn't like it, let her leave. If she's 99% okay, I'd be inclined to let it go.

Heating really should have been discussed before they moved in. There's another thread about it currently, it's a very common issue.

The heating from the ASHP was talked about in the paperwork right at the beginning. I never thought about her bringing a small one with her til she told me as she was moving her things in. As I've never used one it didn't occur to me that it could be an energy use thing. As I said, I've learned from it at least.
I had considered putting the rent up anyway due to the rise in energy prices in 2024, so I might just do that. Thanks for your comment.

FreeBear

Had one (male) lodger that was using a roll or more of toilet paper per day. Having to rod the drain each week was not fun, and I ended up telling him to buy his own. Combined with other reasons, he did not stay long.

His replacement (Miss A) would also get through copious amount of toilet paper. A roll would last around two days, but at least I wasn't having to rod the drain. I don't begrudge her usage as she has a number of health issues and she is good company.

As for heaters & stuff, I have a clause in my contract stating that excessive use of electricity, gas. or water would be chargeable. I have detailed records of electricity/gas usage going back several years, so can identify periods of excessive usage and quantify it. To date, it is a clause that I have not had need to invoke. Also made it clear with all lodgers that electric heating will be frowned upon quite severely. If they are cold, let me know and I'll either light a fire or turn the heating up a notch.

[Deleted User]

Hi,

just remove toilet rolls from toilet, give them 4 a month each, then they buy their own.

RangerLife

_Penny_Dreadful said:

RangerLife said:

I tried having a look around for how others deal with my question, but haven't had much luck. Apologies for the long post...
I'm a live-in landlady and have been renting out one, and then two, of my spare rooms for the last year. After each lodger I have updated the lodger agreement and 'House Rules' documents to adjust minor quibbles I've learned from. This has been relatively successful and I understand that it'll be difficult to try to be 100% happy with anyone that moves in. I'm very particular about being vegan and as eco friendly as possible in the home.

I currently have two lodgers, one actually is close to 100% a match for my hopes and expectations. The other is 99% there.
I tell this story to set the scene. The 99% one races through loo roll at a rate of knots. There have been instances where she has used one loo roll in 24 hours. I put loo roll down as a bills inclusive thing as I get them from a carefully researched as-eco-as-I-can-get company. I spoke to her about the usage a week or so ago, and she stated that she was very hurt that I'd brought it up (I know she uses it for her nose, but I'm not sure what else). I've bought her facial tissues to try to mitigate it, but it doesn't seem to be working. I've decided to leave this issue be as the following one is more pressing now.

I had solar panels, a battery and an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) installed earlier in the year (government grant and loan), and found it all very useful during the summer. With 3 of us in the house, and the ASHP running, bills have gone up into the winter as I expected. However, I hadn't considered that 99% had brought a wee room heater with her... On the inverter app it shows that the room heater uses close to the same kWh of energy as the ASHP does for the whole house. She sits around in a wee cami top with the room at tropical heat levels, and sometimes leaves her door open with it running when she is in the kitchen cooking.
I try to avoid the high tariff times (4-7pm) for using big energy appliances, so when she came home the other night and I was just cooking tea after 7, she commented that she'd have been starving by that time, why did I wait? I explained about the tariff, and her response was that I had two lodgers so effectively shouldn't be bothered about the cost of things. I did mention the debt I have, plus I have a mortgage rise next year, and I need a cushion for if a solar panel breaks/I need a new car etc.

With these two reactions (hurt over the loo roll gate and that she thinks I'm now rolling in it) I'm unsure how, or if, to move forward bringing up the energy usage of her heater (new adjustment once she moves out and I redo the paperwork! ha!) and whether I can ask for a bit extra a week to cover it. I'm currently going through my supplier's info of energy use from just before she moved in and since she's been here, and there is a bit of a difference, but the ASHP would have worked harder on cold days too, and I didn't think to keep track of that til now (another learning curve). Me and 100% are more energy conscious, so I'd not be asking 100% for more, but even how to quantify it is difficult.

What would you do? Bring it up? Ask for £5 or £10 a week? Leave it be and learn from it?

I’m guessing from your user name and your use of the word “wee” that you’re in Scotland meaning your lodgers are common law tenants.  

What kind of contract is in place e.g. fixed term and does it say anything about how and when the rent can be increased? If you can I’d increase the rent for lodger 2 if lodger 2 is costing you more money. 

Yes, I'm in Scotland.. what is it about my username that hints at that though..? There are Rangers all over the world, not just in Scotland.
And what does the terminology matter in this instance? Honestly curious? All the research I did prior to renting out the rooms and with all the paperwork I put together, I've not come across 'common law tenants' before now (also had to actively put it in my search engine to read up on it.

It's an open Lodger Agreement just saying that either of us can end the period of rent with 4 weeks notice. I did put that with the rising energy prices that we may have to revisit rent at a later date but that it would be discussed. It crossed my mind to just increase her rent without reference to the heater, so I'll probably go with that. Thanks for your comment.