Is this a red flag or a reasonable request from lodger?

[blanketsnuggler]

We rent out our Annex, and have just advertised for a new lodger. Decided on a nice lady who said the deposit/rent would not be a problem. (Good English, but not her first language).
Messaged her today to send over the agreement paperwork and bank details etc. She messaged back asking if it would be ok to send part of the deposit now, and the rest with the first rent payment in 4 weeks time.

Disclaimer - I have autism and am TERRIBLE at reading people! Sorry if this is an obvious question. Thanks

What does 'English not her first language' have to do with this?

Yes. If you'd read all the OP's posts, not just the first, this would be clear.

She's not the person for you
She will be clearly be difficult,and you need to say no now

It's giving us the full picture,so she doesn't get accused of drip feeding later

References can be useless as the person referring is often someone wanting rid of the lodger/tenant/family member. Sometimes they even use 'I'll write you a good Reference!' As an incentive for the person to leave. Do not rely on that.

Hello OP, I am autistic and have a lodger (first one for me). I used a company to do the credit checks and references (employer and previous landlord) which I found helpful and reassuring- they also covered the initial right to rent check . In terms of telling her what you've decided agree with others, you can do it writing and keep it factual. You need the deposit up front and won't be able to proceed as she can't comply and wish her luck.

I would not proceed with this person, full stop. The request was incredibly cheeky and she will be masses of trouble. Once she's in, what's stopping her delaying rent again and again? It's a nightmare kicking people out.

OP will also be liable to pay tax! Income from a lodger is tax free up to a certain amount but they have to share your house and common areas. You can’t just call someone a lodger and avoid tax

Just say sorry no, the contract is clear we need full deposit before moving in

Oops sorry just seen there is common areas

It doesn’t necessarily mean she won’t be able to afford it, it could be any number of circumstances. I’d ask about it upfront.

If she finds the deposit now I’d still proceed if she’s definitely a lodger. They are easy to get out if it doesn’t work out.
I definitely wouldn’t proceed if she was going to be a tenant with all the new rights they have.

No. A deposit is completely different to a rent payment. You need to be able to prove the amount of deposit that was paid either through a receipt clearly showing the exact amount, or a deposit in your account. Someone who is fiddling about with money before they have even moved in is someone who is ALWAYS going to be fiddling about with money.

It will be tiresome and you will undoubtably end up on the deficit side of this arrangement as she bamboozles you with odd payments, shortfalls, irregular payments etc.

I don't know what it's like now, but in the past I let out a room to lodgers studying in the local Uni. I charged weekly rent, a weeks deposit and a week's notice to quit. No exceptions.

OP, as others have said, it's time to be firm but polite. No full deposit, no annexe.

Out of curiosity has your DH said anything about her request, two heads are better than one!

I don't know what your t+cs are but definitely a month deposit, a month rent in advance and a defined notice period, although as a lodger you can get rid anytime. Well that was the case, not sure about now.