Having a lodger when I have a young daughter

[Dollygirl2008]

Hi, quick background - split up with ex 3 years ago, we have a 9 year old DD. I have just moved into my three bedroomed house - stretched myself financially so that I could have the security of a spare room. I would now like to rent this out Monday to Friday and have a couple of people interested.

My question is - I feel "nervous" about the fact that I'm letting a stranger into my home, especially when I have DD. Does anyone have any tips or experience? I have asked for professional females only etc but I was even thinking of putting a lock on my DD bedroom door but this won't give out the right signals for anyone.

Any ideas?

why would you put a lock on your dd's door?
What do you think a mon-fri professional female( good idea) would do exactly?

That's kind of the point - nothing hopefully but I'm sure you can see why I'm nervous and would love to hear positive stories about how this could work

I was a lodger when I was a (mature) student. The lady I lived with had a 7 year grand-daughter who stayed regularly. We become so close I ended up babysitting a few times (I stayed for 2 university years in the end).

How old is DD? I would think a working person you wouldn't see an awful lot of anyway, as they'd be at work or doing their own thing. And if DD is young she'll probably be asleep earlyish in the evenings.

In terms of fire safety I really wouldn’t put a lock on her door. It may feel a little strange but you could sleep with your bedroom door open so that you could hear any movement.
Could you ask for personal and professional references?

My mother was in a similar situation and took in lodgers.
she only advertised through a local firm with a lot of employees. was it Rank? cant remember. (Not sure if this would still be possible?)
Anyway the lodgers kept themselves to themselves, went to work, disappeared at weekends...
I also had a lodger when my own children were younger, she also kept herself to herself, it was fine. She had the largest room and had it fitted out as a bit of a bedsit, with a sofa and stuff.

I totally get why you're nervous. My friend used to have lodgers, and had a young DD. It was awkward as my daughter used to go there for sleepovers sometimes. I made sure I met the lodger first but that's not particularly reassuring. They were all fine though (apart from the general problems of having someone who isn't family being in your house!)

thank you all for your responses. I feel instantly reassured. The lock was just a slightly silly idea but I don't want my daughter to have trust issues - it might be that the lodger may want a lock on her room, and I totally understand that!

I have advertised through an online company who have been very good with providing an agreement etc. A girl has responded, and I've done a bit of stalking online (like you do) and it looks like she used to be an au pair for a family with a daughter who had additional needs, so obviously there's a reference request right there. She's coming round tomorrow so there's nothing like a face to face meeting!

Thanks again!

the lodger may want a lock on her room, and I totally understand that!

Be careful with this, as mentioned above: fire regulations and I'd want to be able to access a lodger's room. Some mortage companies don't like locks on lodger's doors as well.

As long as it's women only and they understand they can't bring men home I'd say it's fine.

Will they be able to stay at the weekends if they want to, I was going to suggest maybe student nurses or something similar but they work shifts.

Do you have a big hospital nearby, could you advertise on the notice board there, as they will have lots of locum/agency staff looking for lodgings, all of whom will be CRB checked.

Thank you - that's a really good idea as we have three large teaching hospitals in the city!