Lodger experiences

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Idiosynchrasies become magnified when you are living with someone. It is best to state do's and don'ts before someone moves in. The "room mate agreement" drawn up by Sheldon in "The Big Bang Theory" shows this. What might be funny to some people can be deadly serious to others. A friend came to stay for a few weeks before they could get the keys to their new flat. They drove me mad spontaneously & frequently bursting in to song! Thankfully it was only for a few weeks. 

Someone who stays Monday to Friday and then goes home for the weekend would be ideal. A neighbour did this and it worked out very well. They were on good terms and neighbour had her own space to entertain at weekends.

Honeylife

Actually, there are a few discussions on lodgers here, just type lodgers in the search.

Over the past twenty-plus years, I have had 53 lodgers. I started when my eldest went to University and rented her room out. I highly recommend it.

Must have signed Lodger Agreement and House Rules. The longest stay was 3 years, but it was usually 1 year. A few just for summer. Three couldn't wait to see the back of. Two returners. One runaway - slipped out, left keys, ran from her parents, who called the police on me, accusing me of aiding her vanishing act! 4 filthy. Rest just fine. Less and less cooking in my kitchen (great), more and more Deliveroo. (Overworked doorbell)

Each room is almost a bedsit, with a mini sofa. No sharing of my living room as I need private space for me and my visitors. 

I definitely wouldn't take anyone who wasn't partial to my cat, dog, gerbil or pet snake 😁

twopenny

I had a friend who took in lodgers and paid her mortgage, moved up to a bigger house and always changed her car every 2yrs for a new one on the proceeds. 
I was amazed how direct she was with them keeping everything on her own terms.. it made me uncomfortable 

I tried a couple of times by helping out people I knew.who needed a place. I was too nice and friendly, that's my nature, it was a nightmare.

I think a lot depends on what you are like more than the lodgers.

SuzeQStan

FreeBear said:

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A short tail of when things go pear shaped -> https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5848168/lodger-wanting-to-cook/

That was a heck of a read!  What happened to Miss A in the end? Do you still have lodgers FB?

FreeBear

SuzeQStan said:

FreeBear said:

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A short tail of when things go pear shaped -> https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5848168/lodger-wanting-to-cook/

That was a heck of a read!  What happened to Miss A in the end? Do you still have lodgers FB?

Miss A disappeared off the face of the earth about 3 months later. No idea what happened to her as I've been blocked/ghosted. Last I heard, she had presented herself to the local council as homeless, and they in turn, contacted me. Unfortunately, they couldn't spell my name correctly, so I told them to get it right, then we could talk.

Just me and the cat (left behind by a lodger) at the moment. Place is in a bit of a mess as I started to redecorate soon after Miss A left. Life & stuff have gotten in the way, and I still haven't finished painting. Had a small milling machine set up in the spare bedroom last week, so got swarf everywhere.

goldfinches

Rosa_Damascena said:

Baldytyke88 said:

Rosa_Damascena said:

The thought of having to share my home with a stranger makes my blood run cold    

Having said that a couple of years ago I read a charming book about a young man lodging in a London house with a much older widow (in her eighties), including through the pandemic. It documented all her little eccentricities and I'd recommend it (reading, not lodging!). If only I could remember who the author is! I know he has had something else published lately, I just can't remember his name.

The book is likely "The London House" by Emma Gaskin. This novel features a young woman, Rosie, who lives and works in a London house with a widowed older woman, Mrs. Dalloway, who is in her eighties. The book explores themes of love, loss, and generational change

A different book I'm afraid, the book I read is modern day and read like a diary. It is written very much in the present and details the habitual quirks of the feisty owner and the way in which their lives intersected. It was a bit sad albeit predictable that it ended with the elderly home owner sustaining a fall on her outdoor steps and ended up in hospital. 

@Rosa_Damascena - could the book you mention be The Marmalade Diaries by Ben Aitken? The reviews make it sound rather good if it is the right one.

janb5

I have had a mixture of house guests/lodgers over 10 years mainly from the Spare Room website and also visiting theatre cast and crew.  I live very close to a theatre.

I have done full time and Monday to Fridays lets. 

Generally works out well and the money is very helpful but I agree with others not to muddy the waters by being their ` friend`.  FB`s experience was totally scary!

My last guy stayed here for 4 years and was outstanding.  The new guy has moved in today so too early to tell.

You have to be clear right from the start of your expectations and rules because everyone will be different.  it`s not good complaining about the excessive water usage when you didn`t mention a water meter on Day 1 for example!

I`ve had a few horrors but  it works for me.  Definitely the good people outweigh the bad.

Catwales

I've been a lodger 3 times, and got a lodger in once. 
Always have a set of expectations though, around noise, cleanliness, use of washer/dryer so you've each got set days so you can plan better, sepearate space in kitchen for their food with a shelf in fridge/drawer in the freezer, ok having day guests? and overnight guests especially if there's a partner and how often you'd be ok with them staying if at all. 
With renting a room i was able to have great holidays and new cars. 
If i wasn't a foster carer now I would be renting a room out to help save for a new kitchen! 

FFHillbilly

Unless you are letting a friend lodge with you, I'd think carefully, or price accordingly

Emmia

FFHillbilly said:

Unless you are letting a friend lodge with you, I'd think carefully, or price accordingly

I'd suggest that having a friend lodge, has the risk you won't be friends afterwards - I think this stuff is better done on a more businesslike footing.