Taking in a lodger

[Mikethenight2good]

Hiya,

Has anyone taken in a lodger? We are in a bit of a financial hole and looking at ways to help. We have a double room with ensuite (basically me and hubby move into the box room).
I have looked on spare room and could possible fill the room. My main concerns is that we have a young family and i am bringing in a stranger to live with us.

Help and insight gratefully welcomed.

Hi, my husband and I took a good friend as lodger a few years ago, partly to save some money and partly to help her out. We ended up not being too happy as she was home a lot, using much of the living space. She often worked from home (evenings too) and we felt that took over a bit, so that is something to look out for when selecting someone. She also did a massive food shop once a week, not thinking of leaving any space for us in the fridge.

I've done it 4 times. 3 times very successfully, individuals who needed to lodge near work and went home at weekends.

I'd think of offering it as a monday to friday let if you live in a city where people may need to be there for work in the week, would mean you don't feel too invaded and have your house back at weekends

What happened elephantoverthehill with the 4th lodger?

The 4th (only she was actually the second) lodger was a little indiscreet. We were young, first house etc. We had a friend who used to pop around and help us with some DIY tasks. Anyway we were at work, we had warned the lodger that friend was going to come around a pick up some tools he had forgotten and could she let him in. Apparently, according to friend, she did let him into the house, wearing her birthday suit. He was shocked and ran away. I must however give her some kind of credit for trying as the house was a straight onto the street terraced sort.

Eleohantoverthehill. Love it. Made me smile, but obviously nothing too horrific to put someone off offering a room to let.