How much should I charge my lodger to work from home?

saajan_12

Chocolatebiccies said:

saajan_12 said:

Disagree that it should be based on the utilities cost. The whole concept of rent for a lodger is mostly because you're sharing the space now. The increase in bills, council tax, mortgage is minimal as for most people its within a home that they'd have anyway. Besides if you make it specifically based on the utilities usage, you'll get into infinite detail and debate if they go to work one day, go away for a weekend, etc.

However there is a certain luxury to having the whole place to yourself vs having someone else *there*. You feel the need to be considerate if having a late night, working around them in the kitchen, retreating when they have guests over, not running down mid shower, etc. That only increases when they're also *there* in the daytimes instead of just evenings & weekends & holidays. You suddenly also have to consider if they're on a video call in the 15 min you have for lunch, what if the internet bandwidth reduces because you're both on it, 

I would think about what an extra £X would mean to you, and whether it feels worth losing that bit of alone time. What about £0.5X or £2X? Once you decide on a figure, sit down with the lodger and explain where you're coming from. You'd love them to stay, happy to negotiate the number a little but if they don't want to pay something close to your number then you'd ask they either go into the office or go to wework style space during the day. 

You’ve hit the nail on the head…it’s that little luxury of having my home to myself when he’s at work.  I don’t have luxuries, I’m a single mum raising a ever growing teenage son, I work, I also do the laundry for my lodger and clean his room and change all his bedding every week, so the little bit of luxury I enjoy is having the house to myself when I’m working.

I feel that giving that up is the last vestige of luxury…  However, needs must I guess

Alternative rogue idea: could you discuss leaving the money the same, but reducing the services in return for working from home daily? Eg have him do his own laundry, meals, cleaning, bedding, etc. May not work for everyone especially if you end up more stressed if he's using the washer economicaly etc, but just an idea. 

However no not necessarily 'must needs'. Take a look around on spareroom to double check you could get about the same or more from another lodger, and if so then there's nothing wrong with putting your needs into the mix too. He'll save commute cost, buying hot lunches, the odd coffee etc, not to mention the convenience of working from home, at a cost to you for your peace & quiet during the day. There's nothign wrong with saying, calmly, that you understand his need and thing £X is fair taking everything into account. Its then up to him to accept, negotiate or look elsewhere. 

saajan_12

landsbeyondthesea said:

Unless you already agreed with your lodger that they could only be at home outside working hours you shouldn't be charging them anything extra. If they decided to take a week of annual leave and spend it in their room, would that be cause for an increase?

There's a vast difference between ~4 weeks of annual leave and every week. Yes technically the lodger could just start working from home, but the OP could just give notice at that point. That would mean an upheaval for everyone, so there's no harm in discussing what a different pattern and agreement could look like. 

Chocolatebiccies

ThisIsWeird said:

Chocciebiccies, you've given us a good overview of your situation, and your relationship with your lodger.
Don't forget why you have a lodger in the first place - it's presumably to help make ends meet, and not for the company. 
You are lucky to have found someone you like and get on with. He is equally lucky to have what is clearly an ideal lodging for him, with all his cleaning needs met, and also with a nice person he gets along with. So far, so very good.
But he now is asking for a significant change to these conditions, and that needs you to be completely honest about the pros and cons, because there are both.
Pros: additional rent. And, um, er, that's it. 
Cons: slightly increased utility bills (easily taken care of by increased rent).
Loss of privacy. How do you currently spend your time at home? Presumably with Radio 4 on at a reasonable volume for most of the time? Bursting into song during Desert Island Discs? Spending the first hour of some mornings walking around in just your dressing gown? Taking a slow nuddy stroll from the shower to your bedroom? Feet up and some carp daytime tele? Tap dancing? Do you have girlie friends around at times where you have coffee and a loud chat (not trying to stereotype...)
All of that will likely have to change. It will no longer be solely your home during the day.
You need to be 100% clear with yourself - and then him - about how acceptable you will find these changes, and how prepared you are to compromise on them. Some folk would find it completely unacceptable; others will take it pretty much in their stride. Most, I think, would balance the pros with the cons, and find it 'acceptable' if it was made worth their while.
You need to sit down and think this through.
Other Q's - where will he be working in your home? Folk on here seem to presume it'll be in his bedroom. If so, great for your privacy, but not so good in having an extra room to heat - I presume you currently don't keep heating bedrooms during the day? But what if he wants or expects to use the dining table? 
More Q's; what is his work? Any idea what company he works for? And, any rough idea what he earns - very rough?
How does he currently commute? And, therefore, how much does his commute cost him, both in time and money? What will he save from this exercise?
Two things ring bells at the mo'; he is seemingly anal about calculating the minutia of the running costs. And, he baulked at what must be a reasonable £50 starting point!
Could you tell us what he currently pays, C-B?
So, think it through. Consider seriously what impact it could - will - have on your quality of daily life. Work out what you would find 'acceptable' as a result - eg, where he can work from, how loud you can play music. Whether you can hoover your home when you want to. How will you tidy his room if he's in there working? etc etc, and get ready for an honest chat. 
The extra utilities cost will likely be minimal - but not to be ignored - but I fear he doesn't understand the personal impact of what he is asking, and how it will impose on your quality of life. You need to make that clear to him - exaggerated if you need to (about singing and dancing!), so he 'gets it'.
Cuppa time.

Thank you so much for your advice

Chocolatebiccies

ButterCheese said:

Chocolatebiccies said:

I floated the idea of around that figure and he baulked. I am not a confident enough person to assert myself in these sorts of situations, I wish I was.  But I am a bit of a pushover.  I struggle with difficult conversations and dread them.

My old landlady was like that.  She was not confident or knowledgable about what things cost (no offense!),  e.g one night I was cleaning the gas hob and must have accidentally knocked one of the knobs, so a tiny bit of gas was escaping.  She left me a note the next morning to say "gas left on all night - not happy".  After I apologised, I calculated how much a trickle of gas would have cost, which 20 years ago was about 30p at the very most.  Once she was happy she was not going to get a "massive bill", it was fine.

I think the money side is not going to be an issue, maybe £10/month would be fair to absorb the extra electric, plus a bit for the inconvenince of it.  But you have to consider what it is you want.  You said you liked him and want to keep him as a lodger, well that is worth a lot for a start.  If he's in his room all day, will it really affect you that much?  I doubt he will be running around the house all day helicoptering if he's working.  If he were to leave, you could get a string of orrible selfish people and then you'd wish you kept him.

So it sounds like it all comes down to the idea of him being there all the time, which is scary because it's new to you, but all you have to ensure is that he doesn't take the mickey - explain when and where you want privacy but ultimately that will depend on what you said at the time of renting.  So is he bound to stay in his room or can he sit in the lounge and watch TV etc?  When I rented rooms, I was free to use the lounge etc but I always stayed in my room because whatever the landladyw were watching, I had no interest in.

Thank you

Herzlos

Is he's going to be cooking hot lunches whilst working from home, is he going to be making enough for you if also at home? That'll more than compensate for the extra utility costs.

bobster2

ButterCheese said:

Chocolatebiccies said:

I floated the idea of around that figure and he baulked. I am not a confident enough person to assert myself in these sorts of situations, I wish I was.  But I am a bit of a pushover.  I struggle with difficult conversations and dread them.

My old landlady was like that.  She was not confident or knowledgable about what things cost (no offense!),  e.g one night I was cleaning the gas hob and must have accidentally knocked one of the knobs, so a tiny bit of gas was escaping.  She left me a note the next morning to say "gas left on all night - not happy".  After I apologised, I calculated how much a trickle of gas would have cost, which 20 years ago was about 30p at the very most.  Once she was happy she was not going to get a "massive bill", it was fine.

Wow! You were a lodger and you left gas leaking into the property overnight? I'm surprised the note didn't say "gas left on all night - pack your bags"

ButterCheese

bobster2 said:

ButterCheese said:

Chocolatebiccies said:

I floated the idea of around that figure and he baulked. I am not a confident enough person to assert myself in these sorts of situations, I wish I was.  But I am a bit of a pushover.  I struggle with difficult conversations and dread them.

My old landlady was like that.  She was not confident or knowledgable about what things cost (no offense!),  e.g one night I was cleaning the gas hob and must have accidentally knocked one of the knobs, so a tiny bit of gas was escaping.  She left me a note the next morning to say "gas left on all night - not happy".  After I apologised, I calculated how much a trickle of gas would have cost, which 20 years ago was about 30p at the very most.  Once she was happy she was not going to get a "massive bill", it was fine.

Wow! You were a lodger and you left gas leaking into the property overnight? I'm surprised the note didn't say "gas left on all night - pack your bags"

In my defense I was drunk when it happened! And I was only cleaning the knobs

silverwhistle

ThisIsWeird said:

s his commute cost him, both in time and money? What will he save from this exercise?
Two things ring bells at the mo'; he is seemingly anal about calculating the minutia of the running costs. And, he baulked at what must be a reasonable £50 starting point!

I have to say this thought occurred to me too, and being old and cynical perhaps WFH could be a cover for having lost his job?

I had a series of lodgers when I first bought a house and mortgage rates went to about 16%, and although I liked them all it was bliss when I finally could afford to do without them and have the house to myself.

Chocolatebiccies

ThisIsWeird said:

Chocciebiccies, you've given us a good overview of your situation, and your relationship with your lodger.
Don't forget why you have a lodger in the first place - it's presumably to help make ends meet, and not for the company. 
You are lucky to have found someone you like and get on with. He is equally lucky to have what is clearly an ideal lodging for him, with all his cleaning needs met, and also with a nice person he gets along with. So far, so very good.
But he now is asking for a significant change to these conditions, and that needs you to be completely honest about the pros and cons, because there are both.
Pros: additional rent. And, um, er, that's it. 
Cons: slightly increased utility bills (easily taken care of by increased rent).
Loss of privacy. How do you currently spend your time at home? Presumably with Radio 4 on at a reasonable volume for most of the time? Bursting into song during Desert Island Discs? Spending the first hour of some mornings walking around in just your dressing gown? Taking a slow nuddy stroll from the shower to your bedroom? Feet up and some carp daytime tele? Tap dancing? Do you have girlie friends around at times where you have coffee and a loud chat (not trying to stereotype...)
All of that will likely have to change. It will no longer be solely your home during the day.
You need to be 100% clear with yourself - and then him - about how acceptable you will find these changes, and how prepared you are to compromise on them. Some folk would find it completely unacceptable; others will take it pretty much in their stride. Most, I think, would balance the pros with the cons, and find it 'acceptable' if it was made worth their while.
You need to sit down and think this through.
Other Q's - where will he be working in your home? Folk on here seem to presume it'll be in his bedroom. If so, great for your privacy, but not so good in having an extra room to heat - I presume you currently don't keep heating bedrooms during the day? But what if he wants or expects to use the dining table? 
More Q's; what is his work? Any idea what company he works for? And, any rough idea what he earns - very rough?
How does he currently commute? And, therefore, how much does his commute cost him, both in time and money? What will he save from this exercise?
Two things ring bells at the mo'; he is seemingly anal about calculating the minutia of the running costs. And, he baulked at what must be a reasonable £50 starting point!
Could you tell us what he currently pays, C-B?
So, think it through. Consider seriously what impact it could - will - have on your quality of daily life. Work out what you would find 'acceptable' as a result - eg, where he can work from, how loud you can play music. Whether you can hoover your home when you want to. How will you tidy his room if he's in there working? etc etc, and get ready for an honest chat. 
The extra utilities cost will likely be minimal - but not to be ignored - but I fear he doesn't understand the personal impact of what he is asking, and how it will impose on your quality of life. You need to make that clear to him - exaggerated if you need to (about singing and dancing!), so he 'gets it'.
Cuppa time.

Thank you so much for your reply. You’ve given much food for thought!  

ThisIsWeird

Chocolatebiccies said:

ThisIsWeird said:

Chocciebiccies, you've given us a good overview of your situation, and your relationship with your lodger.
Don't forget why you have a lodger in the first place - it's presumably to help make ends meet, and not for the company. 
You are lucky to have found someone you like and get on with. He is equally lucky to have what is clearly an ideal lodging for him, with all his cleaning needs met, and also with a nice person he gets along with. So far, so very good.
But he now is asking for a significant change to these conditions, and that needs you to be completely honest about the pros and cons, because there are both.
Pros: additional rent. And, um, er, that's it. 
Cons: slightly increased utility bills (easily taken care of by increased rent).
Loss of privacy. How do you currently spend your time at home? Presumably with Radio 4 on at a reasonable volume for most of the time? Bursting into song during Desert Island Discs? Spending the first hour of some mornings walking around in just your dressing gown? Taking a slow nuddy stroll from the shower to your bedroom? Feet up and some carp daytime tele? Tap dancing? Do you have girlie friends around at times where you have coffee and a loud chat (not trying to stereotype...)
All of that will likely have to change. It will no longer be solely your home during the day.
You need to be 100% clear with yourself - and then him - about how acceptable you will find these changes, and how prepared you are to compromise on them. Some folk would find it completely unacceptable; others will take it pretty much in their stride. Most, I think, would balance the pros with the cons, and find it 'acceptable' if it was made worth their while.
You need to sit down and think this through.
Other Q's - where will he be working in your home? Folk on here seem to presume it'll be in his bedroom. If so, great for your privacy, but not so good in having an extra room to heat - I presume you currently don't keep heating bedrooms during the day? But what if he wants or expects to use the dining table? 
More Q's; what is his work? Any idea what company he works for? And, any rough idea what he earns - very rough?
How does he currently commute? And, therefore, how much does his commute cost him, both in time and money? What will he save from this exercise?
Two things ring bells at the mo'; he is seemingly anal about calculating the minutia of the running costs. And, he baulked at what must be a reasonable £50 starting point!
Could you tell us what he currently pays, C-B?
So, think it through. Consider seriously what impact it could - will - have on your quality of daily life. Work out what you would find 'acceptable' as a result - eg, where he can work from, how loud you can play music. Whether you can hoover your home when you want to. How will you tidy his room if he's in there working? etc etc, and get ready for an honest chat. 
The extra utilities cost will likely be minimal - but not to be ignored - but I fear he doesn't understand the personal impact of what he is asking, and how it will impose on your quality of life. You need to make that clear to him - exaggerated if you need to (about singing and dancing!), so he 'gets it'.
Cuppa time.

Thank you so much for your reply. You’ve given much food for thought!  

Choccie biccies, I presume.