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Original poster

Advice on lodger

34 replies

Dollygirl2008 · 01/09/2018 12:15

Hi, I have a lodger coming in a couple of weeks time on a Monday to Friday basis. I'm new to this as I've only had international students, so I'm unsure of a few things.

I'm going to give her cupboard, fridge and freezer space and assume she will use all of my kitchen equipment, cutlery, pans etc. However, I'm unsure of what I should suggest with regards to washing - do people normally limit the amount of times they can use the washing machine a week? Again, I'm assuming she'll need to bring her own washing powder as she may not favour what we use. And cleaning/changing bed laundry? How would you advise on managing that?

And heating - she's at Uni and I'm in full time work so I'm hoping not to be putting the heating on during the day - any advice?

I'm pretty relaxed but I just don't want to come across as unreasonable!

Any info from others experience would be great, thanks

OP posts:
scammedohshit · 01/09/2018 12:20

I'd say use of the washing machine a couple of times a week would be ample for one person. I've seriously thought about a lodger so have given it a lot of thought and read lots too. I'm not sure how you'd go about the heating issue. If I was out all day I wouldn't use the heating which is really pricey as all electric. However I guess it depends on when your lodger is due to be at home. Have you asked her?

Original poster
Dollygirl2008 · 01/09/2018 12:24

hi scammedohshit, yes we did have a conversation - she's at Uni a couple of days a week and is planning to get a part time job for some of the other time. Saying that, if she wants to stay home and study, I wouldn't expect her to do that sat in the cold! I guess it's just being reasonable and fair. I've got smartmeters so I can see what's happening on a daily basis!!

I was going to suggest one load of washing a week (she's only there 4 nights) and additional if required (ie spillage or if the weather is hot etc). Do you think that sounds fair? I guess it's all a point from which to start from!

OP posts:
VimFuego101 · 01/09/2018 12:29

Restricting her to one load a week seems mean, how will she separate colours? I would ask her to do it on a specific evening (or during the day on weekdays if that works better for you since you said you'd be out).

scammedohshit · 01/09/2018 12:30

Yes for four nights I'd say use of washing machine once is ample. Back to heating issue. Could you just say that the heating is off in the day but if, by any chance, she's at home studying etc, she's welcome to use a heater in her room and provide an oli filled heater or such like?

Original poster
Dollygirl2008 · 01/09/2018 12:42

good point about the colours, but I can't help thinking that two washes of what will be very light loads is a bit excessive.

Heating - yes, that's a good idea. I think it's all about being reasonable and muddling through the first few weeks together!

OP posts:
myidentitymycrisis · 01/09/2018 12:54

Did you include heating and laundry all in when you agreed the rent?
If so I can’t see the problem, from the lodger perspective, if I was paying to live in a house for more than half a week I would expect to be able to use the facilities as I needed them.

Original poster
Dollygirl2008 · 01/09/2018 13:42

Any advice on bedsheets? whether they make it, washing it etc?

OP posts:
INeedNewShoes · 01/09/2018 13:47

I was a lodger for a year. I would not have been impressed if I'd been given a limit for washing. I would leave it and just see how that pans out.

I provided and changed my own sheets and I would have cleaned my room but the people I was lodging with have a cleaner so I contributed £5 a fortnight to the cost and she cleaned my room as well.

I think regarding the heating I would say to her that based on her having said that she will be out most days that you're not expecting the bills to go up much but that you can review this together after 6 weeks. If the bills have gone up a lot, add £20 a month to her rent or something like that?

EmmaC78 · 01/09/2018 13:51

Limiting the use of the washing machine sounds odd. Surely if she is at university a couple of days and working she isn't going to be home to be using the machine constantly anyway.

Original poster
Dollygirl2008 · 01/09/2018 14:37

Yes, I think you're right. Perhaps I'll just leave it and see how it all pans out

OP posts:
ShalomJackie · 01/09/2018 14:47

When I was a lodger there was no limit on washing machine. That is just weird. It would be a deal breaker for me. She may have whites and colours and towels and bedding. If you haven't already imposed this upfront so she knew when signing up you're being really unreasonable.

I cleaned my own room and after myself in the kitchen and bathroom. And provided my own bedding etc.

DoryNow · 01/09/2018 14:49

I woud just maek it clear to her when she moves in that the rent is all inclusive of bills for reasonable usage & that if the bills went up significantly you wouldn't obviously ask her to go cold (for example) but contribute a bit extra a week towards them.

She shoud change her own bed clothes & stick them on to wash on Friday (or every other Frday as you wish) before she leaves for the weekend. They can be left to dry in her room over the w/e .
An extra set for her use would be good so she can make her bed before she goes.

She might prefer to use her own bedding & take it home - I had 2 lodgers who did this as they went home to their families every Friday.

Basically I'd have a chat over a cuppa when she first arrives & sort out some ground rules that suit you.

As long as it works for you do as much or as little as you like.

Good Luck!

PositivelyPERF · 01/09/2018 14:56

I wouldn’t want her to use an electric heater in her room. Not only might there be a risk of fire, depending what type she used, but your electric bills will shoot up. I had to speak to one of my lodgers, many years ago, because my electric bill had got so high. Turns out he was using an electric heater, because it was ‘easier’ than walking down the fucking stairs to switch the heating on! 😠

Bitchywaitress · 01/09/2018 14:57

Please don’t limit her washing. That is totally U and weird. What happens if she gets her period in the night? Are you going to make her wait till next week or have to come to you to explain why she needs an extra load?

ApolloandDaphne · 01/09/2018 15:04

Limiting washing is weird. I assume you are not using the machine constantly so she can do her washing when it is convenient to you both.

I would also expect her to be able to put the heating on for short periods if she is studying in her room. My DD is a student and living in a flat with other students. They put their heating on when it is cold because it is miserable being cold when you are trying to study.

Original poster
Dollygirl2008 · 01/09/2018 15:38

Thank you for your helpful replies

OP posts:
colditz · 01/09/2018 15:41

DO not limit her washing

Do not switch the heating off because YOU'RE not in

She is not an inferior species and you are not engaging in charity. She's paying you for full and fair use of facilities.

CottonSock · 01/09/2018 15:41

I had lodgers and wouldn't think to limit washing machine..heating was an issue though.

Original poster
Dollygirl2008 · 01/09/2018 15:42

OK, OK calm down!!!!!!! Crikey - advice was sought - not vilification!!!!!!

OP posts:
KitchenConundrum · 01/09/2018 15:44

Yes limiting washing is odd - perhaps you could request she tries to stick to a Monday/Wednesday/Friday for waging so you take the other days

niknac1 · 01/09/2018 15:54

Heating is an issue , it’s very expensive to heat a house, it all depends on how much rent you are getting as to how much it can go on without you losing money which is important if you need a lodger for the income you generate. I reckon in the winter it costs about £200i if not more for a 4 bed detached house

niknac1 · 01/09/2018 15:56

When I was a student washing was limited because it costs fortune at a launderette. Some wouldn’t allow students to use their facilities. Years ago there was a launderette in the student union and that cost s fortune

nutellanom · 02/09/2018 08:47

I have been a lodger and also had a lodger myself.

Agree with leave the washing thing - I can't imagine she's going to be doing that many loads a week!

Also re heating, I don't think this was ever an issue either. When I had a lodger she worked different hours to me and I wouldn't have wanted her to be cold at home in the daytime. I would hope your lodger could put the heating on if she feels cold. Have you not agreed how much bills are on top of her rent? I would think you would account for some bills going up slightly in that.

There's no way she will expect you to provide sheets or change them for her!

DoryNow · 02/09/2018 11:35

Those oil filled eletric heaters are a good individual heat source.

I got one for my lodger & it was great, very sturdy, & economical.

serbska · 03/09/2018 12:00

I don’t find that having rules like ‘one load of washing a week’ makes for a harmonious environment.

It would be normal for her to use her own washing powder.

Re heating - I actually wouldn’t want that on all day every day and for that reason I never have lodgers who don’t work full time ‘normal’ hours.

I think for this you should say the rent includes reasonable use of services and utilities but if she finds she is home during the day during winter a lot, Za with the heating on, you reserve the right to readjust to take account of the increase in bills.

It isn’t unusual for M-F lodgers to provide a bedding change, but not everyone expects or wants that.

As with everything, it helps to be reasonable on both sides and to be able to have a chat about stuff.

Anyway, hope you don’t come back here in a few months saying your new lodger is running a 3h wash every day for 2 pairs of pants Grin