Has anyone ever taken in a lodger? Looking for advice/ tips

[dingdang]

I'm thinking to offer my spare room up for rent and was wondering if the wise ones of mumsnet have any tips. I live with my five year old who is with her dad every other weekend and a couple of nights during the week. I've never let a room out before so no idea, do I need to arrange a tenancy style agreement? What about bills - are those usually included in the overall rent? Would appreciate anyone's experience or advice?

specifically advertised for a social sort of person, as I find the sort who hides away in their room to be dreadfully awkward.

Whereas I was lodging while I saved for my own place, & after talking all day at work wanted to be able to get home, have a friendly chat while both using the kitchen maybe, but then just flop...

Formatting fail sorry, that should have been bold not linky.

I have young children and host language students for a week or two weeks each. It's both easier and harder than I expect each time! The money is good so worth considering. I only host girls.

Do you have a theatrenearby where you can be a landlord offering digs
A friend did this for several years and found it great fun
Plus they are usually only with you for a week or month at most so don’t have time to dig in

Another friend did foreign language students...basically she just mothered them . That was all positive
The lady who let to the theatre also took in men who were doing deep sea diving courses
So they would be for a week at a time
Maybe find out if any industries nearby run courses and need accommodation

I rented one homeout to men who were doing a shutdown.
They loved it . Money was great for me but it was like 6 weeks so had to let long term
They just wanted home from home and as the house was already furnished they were all set

Friends of ours took in lodgers to boost their income while the husband returned to University. Worked for them. On the other hand hand our only try at it lasted two weeks! He was actually a friend of a friend. He came in loudly at 2am, which wasn't great as we had to be at work the next day. He also didn't pay us the agreed amount. We told him it wasn't working. I think we should have got the arrangement in writing. We wouldn't do it again.

Foreign students are a good bet. They have paid a lot of money to be here and so they spend a lot of time in the library or studying in their room! They also have their accommodation budget sorted so less likely to have problems re payment. I had a Chinese student for a good few months and will be going for someone similar this time. But get someone yourself via spare room as opposed to through an agency as the agency take a cut.

Has anyone been the sole landlady and had two lodgers at the same time, in different rooms? I would be interested to know as I am thinking of turning the small other bed room into another lodger room. Not yet but maybe as a pension.
It would change the dynamics.

Has anyone been the sole landlady and had two lodgers at the same time, in different rooms?

Yes. It’s harder and you have to consider inter-lodger dynamics not just with you.

I did it when I was younger and having two lodgers meant it was a more house-share style arrangement.

I probably wouldn’t choose to do it now unless I really needed the money but I think I just find it easier to manage sharing with just one other person.

I could have two but I agree I think it changes the dynamic and makes you outnumbered. I decided instead to knock down a wall and have a huge bedroom just for me!

I suppose it could be done only if the existing lodger met the next one at the 'interview' first meeting.