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Original poster

Heating and lodger

154 replies

HarryPotterDucks · 05/08/2022 23:58

Hello all.

With the massive bills with heating and electricity I don’t know how I’m going to survive over winter.

I have a lodger and obviously as he’s not paying the bills than he doesn’t care about reasonable saving of money.

However this has to be approached. I’m just a softie and probably a bit on the spectrum.

Would I be unreasonable to be strict about the heat?

My normal bills were £110 in the winter and already my DD is £70 per month, just for electricity.

Ive not put up his rent, which I maybe should. He’s paying £400pm at the moment.

OP posts:
Original poster
HarryPotterDucks · 06/08/2022 21:15

FinallyHere · 06/08/2022 20:48

He’s said to me he’s paying my mortgage…. So I don’t think he respects me

Don't have anyone in your home who does not behave respectfully.

How easily could you get a new, better lodger?

Call the hospital switchboard and explain that you have accommodation available. It might take a while to get through to the right people but I expect they will snap up your offer and supply excellent lodgers. And move them in if you have any trouble.

I will do. Maybe I’ll go to reception.

Im not sure how quickly I could fill it.

OP posts:
comealongponds · 06/08/2022 21:36

YANBU

i used to be a lodger with bills included in my rent and would’ve expected my rent to go up if bills were going up as much as they are at the moment. Obviously I wouldn’t have been happy just like no one else is happy at paying higher bills, but I would’ve understood.

Original poster
HarryPotterDucks · 06/08/2022 22:21

comealongponds · 06/08/2022 21:36

YANBU

i used to be a lodger with bills included in my rent and would’ve expected my rent to go up if bills were going up as much as they are at the moment. Obviously I wouldn’t have been happy just like no one else is happy at paying higher bills, but I would’ve understood.

Do you think £50 is ok?

OP posts:
alwayscheery · 07/08/2022 00:02

What you do
With the money he pays you is non of his business.
He pays the going rate for his room and you receive payment as a contribution towards the ( increased ) costs of running your home along with the inconvenience of you sharing your whole home with him .

Original poster
HarryPotterDucks · 07/08/2022 01:49

Yes it is a bloody inconvenience sharing my home

OP posts:
Cherchezlaspice · 07/08/2022 06:40

You’ve had some excellent advice, but seem to be focussing on arguing about whether or not he’s paying your mortgage. Why are you focussing on that? If doesn’t matter and has zip to do with how you move forward with this.

Have a look at what similar arrangements are costing in your area. Have a look at the ads from people seeking rooms (on Spareroom and the like) and you’ll get an idea of the demand and how much people are going to pay. Proceed accordingly.

SwanBuster · 07/08/2022 06:53

I am very much on the side of renter vs landlord of passing on costs of mortgage rates - (landlords have the debt - they should bear the brunt of rate rises) but very much on your side in the case of lodging and all inclusive utility bills.

oh course you are right to ask for an increased amount. The fact that this guy also sounds like a disrespectful, entitled idiot makes me think you should seek to replace him as soon as possible too.

DFOD · 07/08/2022 06:56

Does he work from home? If so your heating bill will be massive.

He sounds difficult and you sound resentful of him - that’s no way to live in your own home.

I would get him out because he is going to be tricky over the winter.

You are not compatible.

There is a website that is just for 5 nights which might suit you better.

despairingdonut · 07/08/2022 07:08

I WFH since covid and can honestly say the heating bill has hardly gone up - I can only assume this is the case for those that totally turned their heating off between 9-5 instead of keeping the house at a certain temperature (which you are meant to do)

What's the cap on what you can rent a room out for before paying tax? I suspect it's £400 a month which is why you charge him that? If the cap hasn't gone up then if you charge him more you'll start paying tax on it and it won't be worth it

Unless he's running an AC unit or something in his room leaving his tv on standby and general day to day "living" is going to have a negligible impact on your household running costs (over and above what you already use or to run fridges freezers etc)

SwanBuster · 07/08/2022 07:12

despairingdonut · 07/08/2022 07:08

I WFH since covid and can honestly say the heating bill has hardly gone up - I can only assume this is the case for those that totally turned their heating off between 9-5 instead of keeping the house at a certain temperature (which you are meant to do)

What's the cap on what you can rent a room out for before paying tax? I suspect it's £400 a month which is why you charge him that? If the cap hasn't gone up then if you charge him more you'll start paying tax on it and it won't be worth it

Unless he's running an AC unit or something in his room leaving his tv on standby and general day to day "living" is going to have a negligible impact on your household running costs (over and above what you already use or to run fridges freezers etc)

www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme

its £625 p/m. Doesn’t mean that’s anywhere near the right amount to charge depending on the home, but it does give headroom in this case and from everything that has been written it sounds like this idiot is taking the piss in other ways.

Caspianberg · 07/08/2022 07:14

I would say all bills have increased a lot and will rise more.
Therefore from X date it’s £50 increase. Otherwise give notice.

You can say it’s £50 increase but that’s also on the condition that you all try and reduce usage. If usage doesn’t decrease, and it’s heating on high then bills will be higher and you will have to increase by £80

Cosmos123 · 07/08/2022 07:15

HarryPotterDucks · 06/08/2022 00:18

It’s my house. Bills included. He’s said to me he’s paying my mortgage…. So I don’t think he respects me

Show quote history

Just give h notice on tent increase. Say you will understand if he has to leave

He is helping pay your mortgage but u r giving him a roof.
Blooming cheek.

Cosmos123 · 07/08/2022 07:16

*him
**rent

Cosmos123 · 07/08/2022 07:17

* have increased costs

Cosmos123 · 07/08/2022 07:18

Caspianberg · 07/08/2022 07:14

I would say all bills have increased a lot and will rise more.
Therefore from X date it’s £50 increase. Otherwise give notice.

You can say it’s £50 increase but that’s also on the condition that you all try and reduce usage. If usage doesn’t decrease, and it’s heating on high then bills will be higher and you will have to increase by £80

Brilliant

allboysherebutme · 07/08/2022 07:31

I'd find a new lodger and give him notice also I'd charge more to new lodger maybe £600. X

rwalker · 07/08/2022 07:39

The problem is you haven't dealt with this . If I was paying somewhere and it said bills included then LL started moaning I'd be pissed off. Charge appropriately .
As for the desk the room is his personal space to put a desk in there he doesn't want I can see his point .
Up the rent and have done with it .

Coffeetree · 07/08/2022 07:42

It reminds me of when I moved into a spare room for a couple of months whilst waiting to complete on a new home.

I was studying and working at home and so would put the heating on in the mornings. I was sitting there in regular clothes plus jumper, and the host/landlord would be hovering about checking the thermostat and muttering.

I would've gladly paid £50 more to just live normally. Didn't tell him though, I just moved out.

Just raise the rent, OP!

SwanBuster · 07/08/2022 07:44

allboysherebutme · 07/08/2022 07:31

I'd find a new lodger and give him notice also I'd charge more to new lodger maybe £600. X

Yes to finding a new lodger and yes to potentially charging more, but you can't just pluck a figure out of thin air that sounds good 🙄

The amount she can charge is dependent on the market for similar rooms in her area. If that's £600, great. If not, charge appropriately.

Nothappyatwork · 07/08/2022 08:09

Well you seemed quite assertive at 1 am this morning so presumably you’ll be able to relay this to the lodger.

check out the rent a room tax allowances though I think it’s 7000 a year you’re allowed to make from a lodger before it needs to be declared as tax.

converseandjeans · 07/08/2022 08:26

I think he is paying your mortgage though & it seems like a cheap mortgage. At the end of the day he has nothing to show for it yet you will have a property paid off.

I would be annoyed if I was paying & had you hovering around telling me when I was allowed to do things. Yes costs have gone up but it's not his fault.

You may end up with nobody for a couple of months & that would be worse.

I would put up a little but I think you need to be careful he doesn't just go. However you don't seem to like him much so perhaps that would be a blessing.

Bubblebubblebah · 07/08/2022 08:56

HarryPotterDucks · 07/08/2022 01:49

Yes it is a bloody inconvenience sharing my home

It's not like you are doing someone a favour you can't stop doing. I don't think moaning about inconvenience of sharing your home is fine here....
Same like him moaning about your mortgage etc.

Maybe having a lodger isn't for you

Original poster
HarryPotterDucks · 07/08/2022 11:11

rwalker · 07/08/2022 07:39

The problem is you haven't dealt with this . If I was paying somewhere and it said bills included then LL started moaning I'd be pissed off. Charge appropriately .
As for the desk the room is his personal space to put a desk in there he doesn't want I can see his point .
Up the rent and have done with it .

I understand what you mean. His personal space with furniture I provided… so if I decide to upgrade furniture it’s my choice.

OP posts:
Original poster
HarryPotterDucks · 07/08/2022 11:13

converseandjeans · 07/08/2022 08:26

I think he is paying your mortgage though & it seems like a cheap mortgage. At the end of the day he has nothing to show for it yet you will have a property paid off.

I would be annoyed if I was paying & had you hovering around telling me when I was allowed to do things. Yes costs have gone up but it's not his fault.

You may end up with nobody for a couple of months & that would be worse.

I would put up a little but I think you need to be careful he doesn't just go. However you don't seem to like him much so perhaps that would be a blessing.

£600 a month is over a 1/3 of my take home pay.

not sure you can really compare mortgages when salaries vary…..

OP posts:
Original poster
HarryPotterDucks · 07/08/2022 11:19

despairingdonut · 07/08/2022 07:08

I WFH since covid and can honestly say the heating bill has hardly gone up - I can only assume this is the case for those that totally turned their heating off between 9-5 instead of keeping the house at a certain temperature (which you are meant to do)

What's the cap on what you can rent a room out for before paying tax? I suspect it's £400 a month which is why you charge him that? If the cap hasn't gone up then if you charge him more you'll start paying tax on it and it won't be worth it

Unless he's running an AC unit or something in his room leaving his tv on standby and general day to day "living" is going to have a negligible impact on your household running costs (over and above what you already use or to run fridges freezers etc)

Im not too sure why people think that paying tax on something means it’s therefore not worth it…. You are still making 80% of the money….

Also putting the heating on all day is going to use more. You are heating the home for an extra 45 hours a week.

Yes I understand that in theory the bills don’t change, however he as different levels of what is comfortable.

OP posts: