Lodger help please, things to be aware of

[Greenkit]

My Son in law is looking to rent out a very large bedroom with use of kitchen and bathroom, he wants to keep the lounge as his.

The room is unfurnished as my son in law has only just moved in, but this is fine with the potential lodger, who my Son in law works with.

What should he be aware of, tips and agreement ideas please

I love threads like this. I can only think that you'd need to be very clear about house rules, whatever you decided they were. I would also want a decent deposit.

Yes, be clear about house rules.
Is the lodger allowed overnight guests, and is so, how often?

Remember that both parties can give "reasonable notice" to exit the agreement at any time. So your son can't make the lodger sign a six month agreement etc

When I house shared I thought I had everything set in stone, until my flatmate started a habit of cooking at 2am

Sounds odd but reasonable times to stop clattering about the kitchen, obviously brews and toast etc fine but my flatmate would start a whole fry up when back from the pub.

small things are more disruptive that you can imagine- so a blanket "quiet in the house from midnight" or similar agreement won't go amiss

Thank you, not things I would have thought about but good to know

How are the bills going to be split? If the lodger doesnt have use of all of the rooms should he be paying for half of the bills?

Use of washing machine. When?

Try to find a PhD student who wants to keep to themselves!

Its a set rent all in, with wifi, broadband virgin tv etc

It is being rented by someone he works with

Insurance?

He should check the Rent A Room allowance - I think it has gone up to the extent that he shouldn't have to pay tax on any rent but worth checking what the annual limit is.

He may need to get permission from his mortgage lender, freeholder if a leasehold flat, and will need to inform his insurance company. And the council, if he currently has a single person discount.

He needs to be clear about house rules, as mentioned above, and what is and isn't included in the rent, eg if bills go up, will he absorb this or up the rent?

What space is available outside the room? For example, will the lodger use his plates/pans, etc or be expected to supply their own? If the latter, is there space for them in the kitchen? Is any storage space available for other possessions? (My friend's lodger had way more stuff than would fit in the room/flat and things got...tense.)

Oh, and it's worth letting things ride with a good lodger - there are inevitably minor irritants but it's worth hanging on to a good lodger and being pragmatic about the little things.

DD has a lodger from time to time and ensures that she has a contract signed by her and then. It sets out everything from guests overnight, cleaning duties, sharing of dishes etc. She also provides a separate fridge as there is nothing more infuriating that finding somebody has taken all the milk! They take turns to purchase stuff like cleaning materials and toilet rolls and the agreement is that each pay half. If you google lodger contract you should find a very simple contract to be used on a rolling basis. Think DD's is one month's notice on either side with rent paid monthly in advance. This way if there is a fall out you only have to live with it for a maximum of a month!

I believe the rent a room allowance applies to furnished rooms. The allowance is due to be increased to just over £7,000 pa tax free I think the increase applies for the April 2017/18 tax year.

Renting with someone at work is a risky move. What if their relation breaks down? Will they have to work together after?