Lodger - Increased Energy Bills

[PeanutOil11]

Hi Everyone,

I got a lodger in about seven months ago and am charging a set monthly rent that includes all bills. In hindsight, the amount I am charging is a bit low, but just wanted to get someone in at the time and wasn't thinking :/ Got the lodger, as could do with the extra money for bills, mortgage, etc. Anyway, my energy bills (as will be the case with everyone!) are shooting up in a month or so's time when my fixed tariff ends. Is it reasonable to ask my lodger to pay more? How would you approach this conversation? He is on a monthly rolling agreement. I want to approach this sensitively and fairly.

Thank you for your advice!

It’s a tricky one as he joined you on the basis of an all inclusive rate.

I would think that reviewing the rent after a year is reasonable but this is a bit soon.

To be honest, this has been your error or lack of foresight and so you probably need to bear the cost for this period. If I were the lodger I’d be a bit pissed off with an increase, especially if it was being applied as of the next rent period which might only be a couple of weeks away.

If you are planning a rent increase, I would also give 3 months notice if it. There’s nothing people hate as much as something being told to them with immediate effect.

If you’re worried too about the lodger being rather too liberal I they use if heating and hot water, you could have a separate bills element which relates to the gas/elec bill which is a % share. However, this is complicated and lodger agreements usually include the bills as your current arrangement does.

I’d pin the arrangement down a bit more. A rolling monthly agreement might work for you, but pinning down how often rent can be reviewed seems sensible snd how much notice to be given of increase. A fair approach would be yearly review with 3 months notice of increase - so at month 9, the rent for month 12+ is set.

I would consider it if they are home all day with heating on full blast and you are out of work say. But if they are out all day live in box room and your heating and sole use of other rooms then your share of increase will be more than their share of room and communal areas.

If they moved out how much would your bills decrease? If their share is only 25% since they moved in over previous use (amount not £££) then asking then pay what a 30% on their share rather than 30% extra or the over all total or all energy bills. If that makes sense.