Tips needed- Taking in a lodger/Renting out a room

[BoeJiden]

We've decided to temporarily rent out a spare room in our home to help bring in more money. We've completed a small house renovation that wiped our savings, hence the need to try and get money in.
We both work full time with 3 small kids (youngest aged 3) and older two in upper primary.
Any advice will be appreciated. We're in Ireland so council is tax is not applicable. What are the pros and cons if you've done it and what should we be on the lookout for? We did consider getting an evening job but will be tax about 50% as we already are on the higher rate of tax, so not worth the hassle. This is the only way we can increase our income tax free.
I also do mystery shopping as well but that is not very regular and the jobs that pay well are usually during office hours which limits me to retail jobs. Can you tell I'm trying my best to get the cash coming in 😂
Thanks in advance.

I lodged with a family with similar aged children one summer when I was between houses aged around 21.
Have a think about house rules - eg they were happy for my boyfriend to stay over at the weekends, no smoking in my room, rent paid cash on a Friday.
I did odd bits of babysitting for them but generally kept myself to myself. I don’t know if that’s helpful - you probably want more legal advice, but thought I’d add my perspective. I loved that summer!

Think about what space is included and how you will fit round your family. I had the loft room which was en suite so I was quite self contained really

Thanks @PiggieWig that is very helpful. Must add it to my list as I've only just advertised and already have people interested.
My husband is not too keen but needs must for now. Thanks again.

With young children, I think you need to be really clear how your household works. Do you expect things to be quiet once they're in bed? Are any of them up in the night crying? What time do they get up in the morning and how noisy are they.
Then think about how the lodger might want to use the house and how that can be accommodated

• will they have their own bathroom? If not, are there any restrictions on when they can use the shared one? Is there storage in the bathroom for their items? How will you stop your DC from using/playing with their items in the bathroom. How will you stop your DC touching their towels? Do your DC leave the bathroom tidy and hygienic or will the lodger be going in to find pee on the floor, an unflushed poo in the toilet bowl and just the cupboard inner of the roll of loo paper. How much toothpaste will be smeared here, there and everywhere

• how will the kitchen work? Are they eating with you or cooking separately? What cupboard/fridge space will they have? Can they use your utensils, crockery etc. Do you have a dishwasher? How clean & tidy do you expect it to be? Are you/your DC clean and tidy? How helpful do you expect your lodger to be if they are in the kitchen and your toddler wants a drink of milk? Does the lodger get or or send your DC to find you?
• how will living space work? Can they use the lounge? If so, when and how (ie any limits on what they can watch on TV during the day)?
• if you have a garden, same questions
• what about visits from their partner or friends?

In your situation if I did it at all, I'd consider a Monday to Friday arrangement.

Depending where you live you might find people who work away but don't need to stay at weekends.

Honestly though, with 3 young kids and a husband who doesn't want to do it, I wouldn't.
If he's not keen, he might resent it.

I've been a lodger and had them myself and I found it much harder to have the lodger and didn't enjoy sharing my family home and my partner hated it.

How big is your house? How much space will they have access to?

If you go ahead my advice would be to have very explicit rules and don't try and make it up as you go along. Think about all the possible scenarios.

You could end up with a long list of rules and expectations but actually, that's ok. If someone has an issue with that then you don't want them living in your home.

Do you have a boarding school or language school near you, OP? They are often looking for host families and it might suit your situation more than having a lodger.

Thanks so much for the replies, lots to consider.
I would like the lodger to be comfortable, use our cutlery and crockery. The room is not en-suite but the family bathroom will be the lodger's and the kids can use our en-suite or the downstairs loo. We have a weekly cleaner, so it's just making sure the kids don't go there during the week.

DH whilst not keen understands that we will need to tighten our belts for a bit, we have used up pretty much all our emergency funds and if we need to get money from long term investments there will be penalties to be paid.

We are central, close to airport, large teaching hospital and two universities. As already mentioned, we would prefer Mon-Fri and maybe ideally a working professional as opposed to a student. Any thoughts? Thanks again.

I had a lodger, hated it. Hated having someone constantly in my house. Especially as we both worked from home.

They left the room in a state when they moved out, the carpet needs replacing now. They also never did any housework.

If you do it set ground rules.

You’ve had a lot of really good advice but also, there are some lodgers who want to socialise with their hosts & others who, while happy to be polite & have the occasional chat, prefer to keep themselves to themselves.

I was one of the second type but my landlady was looking for company, so that was difficult. I’d recommend being very clear about mutual expectations.

Edited after seeing @xxSideshowAuntSallyxx’s post to add that you also need to be very clear on whether the lodger plans to WFH, especially since if they’re in a lot of zoom meetings that could gobble up the WiFi.

If you rent to a student you won't have to pay tax. And an 18 year old is far more likely to go home for the weekend. (assuming they are from another part of Ireland).

www.citizensinformation.ie/en/housing/owning-a-home/home-owners/renting-a-room-in-your-home/

You can earn up to €14k p/a tax free, but you are still obliged to notify the Revenue Commissioner.

The lodger will be a licensee in your home, not a tenant. This means that they have no legal rights and can be asked to leave at short notice.

Contact the universities close to you and they will explain how to advertise the room. Many students will go home at the weekends and between term time unless they get part-time jobs.

From your description I'm guessing you're in Dublin? Many building contractors, employees of multinationals etc don't live locally and will rent during the week, or for a portion of it. This might give you a Mon evening to Fri morning scenario which would be easier with family life.

What about medics on rotation to the hospital? If you look at specialist registrars, they will be older, very busy so not at house much and typically will have six month blocks so they often go back to wherever home is at the weekend/during week if off. A noisy house probably won’t suit them though…

Thanks so much everyone for taking the time to reply. Lots of things that I haven't thought of. Will I need a contract or just write up some house rules?
We're in Cork and quite central. So far I've got requests from students and a few non medical professionals. Only advertised last night and didn't realise how bad the housing situation has gotten here.
I haven't thought about WFH, DH works from home and this year has had to go to the office twice.
With the exception of the toddler, we're quite busy during school term, similar to other families with kids and ferrying them to their activities.