Please contribute to the Dos and Don'ts of having lodgers...

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Please contribute to the Dos and Don'ts of having lodgers...
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Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 9:25 am Post subject: Please contribute to the Dos and Don'ts of having lodgers...
...even if you've never had them, but have a suggestion I'd appreciate comments/suggestions on the following in particular: Food Fridge/freezer space Laundry Cooking/meal times Late night TV /music (I get up very early for work) Bills - included in room rent, or share?

Bebo

Joined: 21 May 2007
Posts: 12590
Location: East Sussex

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 9:28 am Post subject:
Flat rent inclusive of bills except the phone. We put in a payphone. If they've got a mobile and it works where you are they may not want / need to use it anyway.

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 10:42 am Post subject:

Bebo wrote:

Flat rent inclusive of bills except the phone.

How do you work out what is 'reasonable' for inclusive of bills? Is it as simple as looking around and comparing to similar in the area?

Bebo

Joined: 21 May 2007
Posts: 12590
Location: East Sussex

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 10:52 am Post subject:

Divide your council tax by the number of people living in the house and do the same with the rest of the bills. Then add this on to whatever rent you plan to charge.

Then compare this with what other people are charging in the area and adjust until you feel comfortable with it.

The only reason I suggest you do it inclusive is it saves arguing when the bills come in. You don't want your lodger saying 'I didn't have the radiator on in my room so I'm not paying that much' and it causing resentment.

jamanda
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 22 Oct 2006
Posts: 35058
Location: Devon

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 10:56 am Post subject:
But remember the bills will go up with and extra person to have baths and they may want the radiator on in their room which wouldn't generally need heating as a spare room. Also as you will have to share the kitchen what will you provide - breakfast? Evening meal? Or will you prefer them to cook from sctatch for themselves using only their own ingredients. Milk?

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 11:01 am Post subject:

Jamanda wrote:

Also as you will have to share the kitchen what will you provide - breakfast? Evening meal? Or will you prefer them to cook from sctatch for themselves using only their own ingredients.

Milk?

What's the usual form for this sort of thing?

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 11:01 am Post subject:

Bebo wrote:

Point taken.

dpack

Joined: 02 Jul 2005
Posts: 46345
Location: yes

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 11:04 am Post subject:
set the rules with the lodger pre moving in what those rules should be depends on both parties remember it is your home but be fair

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 11:06 am Post subject:

Bebo wrote:

Divide your council tax by the number of people living in the house and do the same with the rest of the bills. Then add this on to whatever rent you plan to charge.

So essentially I tot up all my monthly direct debits in respect of the house and divide by 3?

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 11:07 am Post subject:

dpack wrote:

set the rules with the lodger pre moving in

what those rules should be depends on both parties

remember it is your home but be fair

Should we meet up on neutral territory first to see whether we like each other? God - it's like internet dating

sean
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 42219
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 11:08 am Post subject:
Don't wear a Rigsby t-shirt...

Mary-Jane

Joined: 13 Jan 2005
Posts: 18397
Location: The Fishing Strumpet is from Ceredigion in West Wales

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 11:09 am Post subject:
Titter

Ty Gwyn

Joined: 22 Sep 2010
Posts: 4613
Location: Lampeter

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 11:12 am Post subject:
Remember this is West Wales,unless you can find someone on a good salary,by adding on all the extra`s on top of �95 for a room you may price yourself out.

NorthernMonkeyGirl

Joined: 10 Apr 2011
Posts: 4639
Location: Peeping over your shoulder

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 11:17 am Post subject:

As a veteran of shared houses, I suggest:
Meeting up first neutrally, if you get on then view the room etc
All rules upfront - discuss what's negotiable and what's not
Emphasise privacy - they can't put a lock on "their" door so make it clear you won't go snooping (and hopefully expect the same)
Own cupboard in kitchen/shelf in fridge if they're fully self catering.
Perhaps a "kitty" for coffee, tea, milk?
Consider use of laundry/drying areas (though with only two of you should be easier - harder with 5 girls!)
Discuss visitors / someone sleeping over /pets?
Better to start off overly strict/formal and relax into it, than start off a bit slack then try to tighten up on things

alison
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 29 Oct 2004
Posts: 12918
Location: North Devon

Posted: Sun Jan 27, 13 11:18 am Post subject:
Maybe some rule about portable electric heaters. We don't rent the caravan out here after Oct, because too often they bring an electric fan heater with them, and leave it running for the whole week, even when they are out.

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