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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is going to be more trouble than it's worth?

55 replies

ColumnA · 02/02/2018 06:56

I'm looking to rent my spare room out. I gave potential housemates two options:

Option 1: mon-fri for a reduced rate
Option 2: full time for the cost of option 1+£150.

Option 2 is market rate. Option 1 is a bit cheaper because I'd prefer a mon-fri tenant.

So I had someone view the room and say they were away at least every other weekend and could that be taken into account. I said I'd come up with some figures for pro-rata weekends and get back to him.

Then he texts me saying that when he's away for the weekend it costs him at least £20 in travel and he'd like that taken into account when I calculate pro-rata costs.

I've said no, he says he's still intetested regardless. But, now I'm thinking that he's maybe a piss taker and every little thing will be a struggle and do I need that in my life. But, the tenancy would only be for 3 months and I do like money.

So AIBU to think this isn't worth it and hold out for another housemate?

OP posts:
FYC · 02/02/2018 07:58

I bet it would turn from “away every other weekend” to “away occasionally (as we all are)” whilst expecting a lower rate.

chatwoo · 02/02/2018 07:59

Stick with A or B.

People who live somewhere full-time, don't get a reduction on the rent or mortgage when they go on holidays or out for the day.

Find someone who can be A or B. Or be prepared for him to annoy the sh*t out of you for the next three months and possibly not pay what you agreed, due to him being not there constantly and wanting pro-rata every time he leaves the house or goes outside for a fart Shock

GlorianaBanana · 02/02/2018 07:59

It sounds like he doesn't really want a mon-fri tenancy. I probably wouldn't rent to him but if you did I think you need to make it clear that it's either a) mon - Fri or b) he pays for full lodgings. None of this occasional weekends, it's too complicated

Billben · 02/02/2018 08:01

Then he texts me saying that when he's away for the weekend it costs him at least £20 in travel and he'd like that taken into account when I calculate pro-rata costs.

This is the alarm bell ringing for me. I’d stay away if I was you as there will be more cheeky requests like this.

Mrsmadevans · 02/02/2018 08:03

No bgr that he sounds a complete pita .

Pengggwn · 02/02/2018 08:04

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Sierra259 · 02/02/2018 08:04

I think he'd be a nightmare. He wants you to fund his travel home?? It would no doubt open a can of worms when it came to splitting bills as well - him trying to negotiate a proportion off for the weekends he's not there. Save yourself the hassle and keep looking!

MojoMoon · 02/02/2018 08:12

I've had Monday to Friday tenants.

I just stated what the rent was. It's none of my business if they go home to scotland, northern Ireland or Kent at the weekend (have had all three).

You need to be clear that you can use their bedroom at the weekend. So if you allow them to leave stuff, it must be kept within the wardrobe or whatever you set. The rest of the room must be left empty.
I provide bed linen and towels for tenants because part time tenants don't want to be dragging duvets around with them. Tenants are expected to strip the bed and leave sheets in the laundry basket provided and I wash them over the weekend. Usually this as every other weekend.

Also be clear what you mean by the weekend. Some people want to arrive late Sunday which was fine with me. But set that in advance.

Every other weekend sounds like the worst of all worlds and is just someone trying to get slightly cheaper rent

bathandpjs · 02/02/2018 08:12

What if your mon-fri room mate starts staying on weekend, say to catch up with work?

traviata · 02/02/2018 08:28

he wants you to take his travel costs into account?

what about his takeway coffees, sandwiches at the station, use of shoe leather, and a discount for the fact that he can't use his other home Mon-Frid?

I agree with pps, don't deal with this guy. Set your parameters and find someone who fits.

Butterymuffin · 02/02/2018 08:31

Trust your instinct. He'll be annoying. The travel costs thing is ridiculous. Keep looking.

Try advertising on university noticeboards or websites. They'll have staff looking for Monday-Friday lets.

Fluffycloudland77 · 02/02/2018 08:33

No, he's a pita. I'd tell him it's no go.

becotide · 02/02/2018 08:33

If he's trying to barter reductions, he can't really afford what you're asking and you'll have a mare trying to get the money out of him. He'll also see you as a soft touch.

I would not even consider him as a tenant now, regardless of what else he says, even if he promises to stick to Monday-Friday

Bluelady · 02/02/2018 08:40

I've beeen a Mon-Fri lodger. The way it worked for me as I went there after work on Monday and went home after work on Friday. I was there four nights a week and NEVER stayed weekends. I bought my own food and cooked for myself. I left my stuff there but all put away in wardrobe and drawers. It worked pretty well, I stayed 17 months and we became good friends.

Don't go near this guy. There's a much better person who understands how it all works out there.

OrraBoralis · 02/02/2018 08:51

My niece had a Mon-Fri lodger and had no problems with him. He went to work from his home on Monday morning stayed at her place Mon-Thurs night and went home after work on Fri.

They rarely saw each other and she knew she had Fri, Sat, Sun free to do her own thing. Worked for a few years with them. So OP don't get involved with this one! Advertise it as Mon-Thurs and I'm sure you will get someone who understands and appreciates. Good Luck!

MumW · 02/02/2018 09:00

I'd say that it's option a or option b fullstop.

You reduced the mon-fri rate as it wiuld be beneficial to you to know that you have the weekends to yourself. You'll never know if he is going to be there ir not so you loose that advantage so no discount. Any other discounts will lead the tenant to think that any absence could be negotiated as you have already found with this guy. I forsee " I'm on holiday for the next 2 weeks, I not going to pay rent" "I shall be away on business Tues and Wed so will reduce my payment".

Forget this guy, he already thinks you're a pushover. Start hunting again, keep things simple, in black and white and make it ckear what the rules are from day 1.You're not a hotel with rooms to rent on a night by night basis.

Good Luck, hope you find a suitable tenant.

MumW · 02/02/2018 09:05

Also, my neighbour does the Mon-Fri thing too so it's not that uncommon.

Original poster
ColumnA · 02/02/2018 09:07

Mumw he did mention a 3 week holiday actually...

I've told him I can't offer him the room. You're all right it's not worth the hassle. I'll hold out for a better option Smile

OP posts:
Bluntness100 · 02/02/2018 09:09

Good decision. The arrangement was too loose. You agree he can stay two weekends a month, what happens when he stays three, or four. And arguing over twenty quid. I suspect he was just trying to get a reduced rate.

Lalalaleah · 02/02/2018 09:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Spacesuitmakeover · 02/02/2018 09:28

My best friend has a Sunday night -Friday tenant, works a treat and when he moved he took her with him. It can work and is probably the only way that I could consider renting out a room if I am honest

FluffyWuffy100 · 02/02/2018 09:34

Way too hard work and a piss taker already.

How does a mon-fri tennant work?? Surely they don't have to take all their stuff with them at the weekend? And if they don't then your still entitled to charge them because it's still a room in your house you can't use

M-F lodgers are amazing! They of course leave their stuff there but given they have their main house with family elsewhere - they don't have loads of 'stuff'. Just work and gym clothes and a wash bag normally.

@dancinfeet it is quite common in London certainly.

@ColumnA there are less people looking for M-F lodgings so it can take longer to find someone. I would hold out for that really. For me it is the perfect mix of living with someone AND having the place to myself at the weekend AND they don't have shit loads of kitchen or sitting room stuff or loads of sports equipment or whatever. And they won't ever have people staying over night (given family live elsewhere!) and are usual super work focused so not exactly wanting to host dinner parties or anything.

CheapSausagesAndSpam · 02/02/2018 09:38

Say no. I work as a freelancer and ANY prospective client who asks me for weird shit or money off has always turned out to be a PITA.

NO!

barefoofdoctor · 02/02/2018 09:40

He isn't fulfilling the brief of vacating your house at weekends so why should he get a discount? Chancer.

mummmy2017 · 02/02/2018 09:45

Find someone you LIKE as a flat mate.

Charge them the full amount, and for each night the don't come home you can always give them a refund at the end.

People lie, and if you don't want them in the Lounge TELL them now.
There was a post about a lodger who slept with the house owner, then started bringing randoms home each night...

So no visitors, they can go to a hotel for that... and if they do they are OUT the same day. No return of rent.