Lodger wanting to cook

FreeBear · 28 May 2018 at 12:47AM

In need of a bit of extra money, I decided to get myself a lodger - Ended up getting a very quiet pair.. She is wanting to cook meals for both her partner and me, and has wanted to know when I get home from work so that food is ready.

Never factored this in to the rent, nor did I expect it which leaves me in a bit of a dilemma. Should I keep the cupboards well stocked with food and tell her to help herself, or should I adjust the rent.

00ec25 · 28 May 2018 at 1:23AM

what a bizarre question to ask. Why are you unable to make a decision on your own? Have you asked her what she wants, after all, you live with her.

[Deleted User] · 28 May 2018 at 4:33AM

Lodgers need to eat!

However, I think it adds complications if you combine cook regularly. As a special occasion, fine but not every day.

I assume they have a food cupboard?

Just say you prefer to make your own arrangements with cooking as you can come in late/only like certain things/don't want things to become complicated etc. Then no need to adjust rent.

franklee · 28 May 2018 at 4:51AM

From they way you are asking it sounds like you are happy with her suggestion to cook for you too?

It's up to you and your lodgers to have a chat and agree how you want to organise it. I would say you each pay for your own food. The time she spends cooking for you can be repaid in your time in other ways, perhaps you do the clearing up or more of the general cleaning, or shopping time.

How you organise the food bill could be any number of ways. Perhaps taking it in turns to buy the food for shared meals. Or a household kitty.

I think paying for all the food for one or two other people amounts to a lot unless it was intended the rent covers it. Some logger arrangements include meals but that surely would have been part of the deal when the rent was agreed.

Red-Squirrel_2 · 28 May 2018 at 6:18AM

Just explain you prefer to keep food bills and meals separate so as not to muddy the waters regarding rent/costs. Thank her for the thought though!

prowla · 28 May 2018 at 7:12AM

Of course the lodger would want to cook.

However, I'd keep things separate, of there'll be some arguments brewing about costs.

dunroving · 28 May 2018 at 7:18AM

I think besides the cost arrangements this set up could make the relationship more complicated. Even if you get on well with the lodgers, it's your house and they are your guests. Not being too Freudian about it, if they cook your meals every day, you cede control to them. You need to keep it to a "lodger and landlord" footing, not all pals together.

theGrinch · 28 May 2018 at 7:30AM

normally, lodger would prepare/find their own food. Give over some cupboard and fridge space to them and they will get the message.

That is not to say, you cant share meals either prepare from time to time.

Speak to the lodger and see what works best for you both and that's all I have to say on it.

sevenhills · 28 May 2018 at 8:56AM

I dont cook very much, so it would not matter to me; if your lodger is a good cook and you join in you may want to pay for all the food.

I wouldnt be thinking about reducing the rent monies.

need_an_answer · 28 May 2018 at 9:36AM

Is the lodger at home during the day in order to cook for her partner and in including you is it a case that she is seeing it as a help in as much as she has time to cook an evening meal for you?

Maybe its case of why use the kitchen twice an evening when she genuinely sees it as including you.

How do you feel about it,are you happy to go along with the situation and presumably eat with them,a kind of nice idea but possibly it could end up a little awkward if you don't want to develop the situation to good friends and keep it more on a formal lodger basis.

How about sitting down and having a chat about it,maybe suggest that you share meals just a few times a week or once or twice just to see how things progress.

FreeBear · 28 May 2018 at 1:57PM

Not having had lodgers before and having not been one myself, I don't know how these sorts of arrangements normally work. They have only been here a couple of weeks, and I guess we are still working on the mechanics of the "relationship".

At the end of the day, my priority is to ensure that the household bills are covered (which the the rent does and leave a little bit over). Some company in the evenings & weekends is nice, and and extra pair of hands to help out with some of the jobs around the house is all I ask. Having my meals cooked for when I get home kinda makes me feel I'm taking advantage of the lodgers, especially if I'm not providing most of the ingredients.

They have two cupboards in the kitchen to store food, and have pretty much filled the fridge with chilled stuff (I never had much in there anyway). Will probably have to get a second freezer for them to use as mine is already packed out with "stuff".

What I'm not sure about is whether this "lodger cooking for everyone" is normal, or I have hit lucky.

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Lodger wanting to cook

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