Lodger wants a hybrid car - am I being unreasonable?

Ryan_Holden

RHemmings said:

What was his reaction? 

"That's fine. It's a bit disappointing but you're completely right - if the extension cord in the garage could start to melt when charging overnight the house might burn down with us inside.

I suppose an alternative might involve installing an actual wall box but I don't think any of us could justify spending like a grand on it and I'd honestly rather pay for petrol than have to camp out at a testo charger for 1.5 hour every other day and pay for chargining.

I'll cancel the test drive, I suppose in a way I'm grateful because you've stopped me from spending so much money  "

So he's taken it well, I didn't say the cable would melt, I said I had concerns about thermal risk over time but it appears he's taken it well.

RHemmings

Ryan_Holden said:

RHemmings said:

What was his reaction? 

"That's fine. It's a bit disappointing but you're completely right - if the extension cord in the garage could start to melt when charging overnight the house might burn down with us inside.

I suppose an alternative might involve installing an actual wall box but I don't think any of us could justify spending like a grand on it and I'd honestly rather pay for petrol than have to camp out at a testo charger for 1.5 hour every other day and pay for chargining.

I'll cancel the test drive, I suppose in a way I'm grateful because you've stopped me from spending so much money  "

So he's taken it well, I didn't say the cable would melt, I said I had concerns about thermal risk over time but it appears he's taken it well.

This sounds like a good result to me. Both you and him can think about how things will be done in the future. 

ProDave

So if he drives it 3 miles to work, could he not charge it there while working?

Olinda99

if anyone else reads this thread in the future my view is that allowing someone else to charge their car on your electricity will never end well

EssexHebridean

Bigphil1474 said:

For 3 miles each way, I'd give them a lift and charge them £2.70 a day - they'll save a fortune compared to running a car and it would cover the costs. 

Another “note for future readers” - most car insurance policies exclude use of the vehicle on a hire for reward basis, which this would be. In other words, doing this would invalidate your insurance. 

GibbsRule_No3.

Do any of your street lamp posts have the option for charging?  My borough seem to be putting them in. I don’t drive so no idea how they work. Assume a code is given if you sign up to a scheme.

BikingBud

Grumpy_chap said:

Bigphil1474 said:

For 3 miles each way, I'd give them a lift and charge them £2.70 a day - they'll save a fortune compared to running a car and it would cover the costs. 

Round our way three miles, walk or cycle, will be quicker than driving, keeps you fitter, and saves a fortune

With you all the way👏👍

Only 3 miles and no other journeys? 

Why then are they buying a car?

And why buy a "premium" hybrid, when there are so many options?

Charge at work?

NameUnavailable

For a 3 mile journey I would walk or cycle and enjoy the exercise! If it's lashing down with rain maybe the bus or an odd Uber ride?

Even if he didn't want to do that, he'd be better off buying a cheap used car for a a fraction of the price of that Mercedes, the fuel costs would be massively offset by the saving in purchase price and depreciation, insurance and running costs.

Herzlos

EssexHebridean said:

Bigphil1474 said:

For 3 miles each way, I'd give them a lift and charge them £2.70 a day - they'll save a fortune compared to running a car and it would cover the costs. 

Another “note for future readers” - most car insurance policies exclude use of the vehicle on a hire for reward basis, which this would be. In other words, doing this would invalidate your insurance. 

You can give people a lift and have your costs covered though, you just couldn't offer your driving service to everyone or make a profit from it.


OP - does your lodger have space for parking a car? If so, then what's the issue if they were to pay for the installation of a charger and paid for the additional electricity? Though as mentioned they may be able to charge it at work or elsewhere, and 3 miles each way in any car is a pretty expensive way to do it.

SilverSix

Having had lodgers myself for over a decade, unless you are particularly fond of this individual (it doesn't sound like it), I would look for another lodger.

Unless you rely heavily on the income and it's not a nicety, your house, your rules.