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Thinking of getting a lodger

245

Comments

  • shinypenny
    shinypenny Posts: 24 Forumite
    First Anniversary Combo Breaker
    We are on our third lodger:
    The first was a performer at the Edinburgh Festival who claimed he'd be out all the time (he wasn't!); he broke our microwave and blocked our loo countless time (related to his microwave meals I think!). He was only with us a month so survived!
    The second was an overseas medical student on a placement at the local hospital. He was great - very quiet, very studious - although I don't believe he washed his bed sheets in the 8 weeks he was with us.
    Our current lodger is a Consultant at a local hospital who stays with us two or three nights a week. It's working out great so far.


    As others, we've used spareroom but I've also advertised with the local Uni and hospitals.


    Do you want someone short term or long term?
    Do you want someone Mon-Fri or 7-days?
    Do you want to make a 'friend' or have separate lives?
    Do you have a separate bathroom or are you really happy to share?
    Are bills included? If so, who controls the thermostat?


    If you make your expectations clear in your advert you should find someone who's a good match.
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Not sure why people are suggesting 'female preferred', I'd have thought a male Mon-Fri lodger would be equally good.


    Many would actually only be there 4 nights, most would be just looking for a place to rest their hat.


    Not saying women don't do the same, just think you're excluded a huge chunk of the market.
  • vansboy
    vansboy Posts: 6,483 Forumite
    First Anniversary First Post
    My sister had a male lodger and it worked well, as he worked at same hospital, but different departments/shifts, so less chance of bathroom clash, first thing.


    She prefered male, as again, bathrooms and females seem to take a lot of time together - her words! Plus males have LOTS less touletries and cosmetics taking up space.


    VB
  • Red-Squirrel_2
    Red-Squirrel_2 Posts: 4,341 Forumite
    Comms69 wrote: »
    Not sure why people are suggesting 'female preferred', I'd have thought a male Mon-Fri lodger would be equally good.


    Many would actually only be there 4 nights, most would be just looking for a place to rest their hat.


    Not saying women don't do the same, just think you're excluded a huge chunk of the market.

    A woman living alone might feel safer with a female lodger, at least at first until she's got the hang of vetting people.

    If you have to ask why, I suggest just reading the papers more regularly.
  • Peter_Brown_2
    Peter_Brown_2 Posts: 20 Forumite
    Red-Squirrel wrote: »
    I suggest just reading the papers more regularly.

    I suggest not.
  • Peter_Brown_2
    Peter_Brown_2 Posts: 20 Forumite
    My understanding is that a Monday-Friday type lodger does not require "Right to Rent" checks by the landlord. So that could reduce the amount of hassle (and potential discrimination issues) on the part of the landlord.

    I would also be cautious about referring to gender etc in any advert. I'm no expert, but the laws are quite PC these days. I would avoid discrimination on the advert, and then just pick which lodger you wish (with your own PC compliant reasons ready).
  • Peter_Brown_2
    Peter_Brown_2 Posts: 20 Forumite
    Red-Squirrel wrote: »
    A woman living alone might feel safer with a female lodger,

    Understandable, but may be classed as discrimination these days.
    I'm not a lawyer, but I'd just be cautious. If you can avoid accusations, that's the best option.
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Red-Squirrel wrote: »
    A woman living alone might feel safer with a female lodger, at least at first until she's got the hang of vetting people.

    If you have to ask why, I suggest just reading the papers more regularly.

    Sorry totally forgot- all men are rapists.

    I wonder when the last news headline was “man and woman interact and nothing happens!”
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    Name Dropper First Anniversary First Post
    Peter_Brown wrote: »
    My understanding is that a Monday-Friday type lodger does not require "Right to Rent" checks by the landlord. So that could reduce the amount of hassle (and potential discrimination issues) on the part of the landlord.

    I would also be cautious about referring to gender etc in any advert. I'm no expert, but the laws are quite PC these days. I would avoid discrimination on the advert, and then just pick which lodger you wish (with your own PC compliant reasons ready).

    As a private individual it’s fine.

    I could say no whites, blacks, Asians, disabled, etc. - I wouldn’t just to be clear!
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,875 Forumite
    First Anniversary Name Dropper First Post
    Comms69 wrote: »
    As a private individual it’s fine.

    I could say no whites, blacks, Asians, disabled, etc. - I wouldn’t just to be clear!


    Its an interesting point, I do a little gardening on the side and have had a lodger, surely HMRC thinks its a business?
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