Taking in a lodger

[lechatnoir]

Funds are tight, we are sociable people with a spare room near a town so thinking about renting out our spare bedroom (double en-suite). We've had a house guest before a couple of years ago when random long-distance relative stayed for 2 months and that was fine (but I suspect he was an unusually quiet, clean, non-drinking/smoking man who we only really saw for 10 minutes at breakfast!).

What do we need to consider? We have children (teens) so would like to ask for a DBS check along with references and evidence of ability to pay but not really sure what is and isn't acceptable. And how do you work out reasonable rate to charge inc for bills. We live in a modern well insulated house so I'm thinking worse case they could leave the lights on all day & shower for half an hour everyday. And how does it work out with meals/food for a lodger.
Any personal experiences or thoughts welcome.

You may be able to find someone who works locally during the week and goes home at weekends. That way, you can still have family weekends, mostly to yourselves.

Failing that a student who will only be there term-times?

The weekday lodge sounds amazing @MintJulia didn't even consider that as an option.

Not sure how many people will be looking and no university or college close by so don't think student is likely. Possibly a young doctor as we are near a massive hospital although not sure I want someone coming and going at all hours!

A junior doctor is a good cell as they usually only stay for six months and then move on. So if it's not working it's over pretty quickly ..then you rent to one of the new cohort. That is the way it works around here anyway.
My friend took in a lodger and he is the tidiest neatest man who makes barely any impact on the house and goes home every weekend. He is a married man who has to live in her area for work on a big project..building supervisor stuff.
Go for it.

Also doctors/ teachers etc are already police cleared so be happier with one of those.

Yes fair point about dbs and length of stay maybe a doctor isn't a bad idea. Will ask a few friends who work there if there's a noticeboard or online equivalent.

Are bills done on trust? So you work out what you think is reasonable, make it clear up front then hope they're not a piss taker? I haven't looked into mortgage or insurance implications but assume you can buy off the shelf lodger type agreements? It's quite daunting. I guess it's day to day I'm more concerned with - do they share your food or do we make a cupboard space for them? Will they be wanting to cook, entertain, be here for Christmas. Whole heap of questions & I guess it's up to us to lay down the rules but not sure what is reasonable.

Look in www.gov.uk
Under rent out a room.
It will show you how much you can earn without paying tax

Who is going to pay for the DBS check ?
Just ask them to confirm who their employer is

I would not include food

I would include use of the laundry, Internet, kitchen