Has anyone had a lodger before, what was it like?

Thunderboxskin · 2021-10-05T11:58:28+00:00

So I have been thinking of finding a lodger for my spare room. I've never had one before but could use the extra money at the moment. I am out the flat from 7.20 am till 6ish in the evening and away at weekends which I think would appeal as they would have full use of the flat in that time. Has anyone had a lodger before, what was the experience like and do you have any tips? Thanks!

ComtesseDeSpair · 05/10/2021 13:06

At candidate interview stage, set out very clearly that this is a landlord-lodger arrangement and that you are not equal co-tenants with equal decision-making powers. Have a very clear contract and clear ground rules about whether and how often they can use communal living spaces, how often they can have overnight guests, and your expectations for cleaning and contributing to housekeeping. Don’t assume that this stuff is going to be obvious or intuitive to other people - spell it out and make sure you both have the same understanding and you’ll have far fewer problems down the line.

ComtesseDeSpair · 05/10/2021 13:11

And make sure that you and your lodger have similar schedules and lifestyles. Whilst it’s your property and ultimately you’re in charge, this is going to be somebody else’s homes and they need to be able to treat us as such. It’s no good picking somebody who works as a bar tender and then getting annoyed because they wake you up when they arrive home after midnight, for example, or picking somebody who has said they like cooking and then getting frustrated at how long they spend in the kitchen preparing their dinner.

Bells3032 · 05/10/2021 13:12

Had one for my flat for two years (before moving in with my now DH) and honestly it was fine. I'd recommend looking for someone easy going and quiet not necessarily someone who will be your best mate as then it's easier if they don't pay their rent to get rid of them.

But honestly i had zero issues. i had a male tenant (I wanted a male as i just felt that bit safer having a guy in the house rather than two women - maybe i'm sexist). He was easy to get on with but kept himself to himself, paid rent on time each month, cleared up after himself.

So overall a good experience and covered most of my mortgage so nothing to complain about

emmathedilemma · 05/10/2021 13:33

I had one short term but he was a friend of a friend so a bit different to a complete stranger. He was only here 2 or 3 nights a week and worked long days so I hardly saw him. I have 2 bathrooms and he didn't really cook, I think he got a canteen lunch at work and used to bring salad stuff for his dinner. He never stayed at weekends and was fine with my visitors using the room then.

maofteens · 05/10/2021 14:23

Yes but when I was in my 20s. I owned the property and let out the second bedroom. It was ok, but I wouldn't do it now. Back then we were all single and our work and social life were entwined, so tended to go out straight from work. I was t friends with either of the flat mates I had, but we got in ok. But I did get annoyed as my second one frequently had people over just hanging out, which made me feel like the intruder.
Wouldn't tolerate it now.
A friend early 60s does let out her spare room via Airbnb. She's pretty up front that she very active, expects like minded people to stay (so they aren't just being couch potatoes), and lays down the rules from the start. One of her 'guests' had to stay all of the first lockdown but it seems to have worked out.

Polyethyl · 05/10/2021 14:30

Yes, getting a lodger helped me pay down my mortgage faster.

CottonSock · 05/10/2021 14:37

If you get someone who works from home they will be using your home a lot e.g heating.

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 05/10/2021 14:46

Insist on a standing order for rent so you are spared the faff/embarrassment of chasing up if they forget.

Listen to your instincts when interviewing potential lodgers.

A written lodger agreement is useful.

If it works out it’s one of the easiest ways to make money there is. If you are uncomfortable having them there it’s not worth the rent to not be able to relax in your own home. For this reason I would say be choosy about who you take.

earsup · 05/10/2021 17:10

Yes...still have 2 here after about 15 years...came over as students and stayed....but i do have a big 4 bed house and only me here....2 lounges...one is polish...he is a carpenter and tiler so fixes everything that needs doing....am lucky...the other chap is from latvia...studied hospitality at uni and now a manager....both are nice....we have never had a huge row or anything in all these years...as i have no family i will probably leave them my house in my will....or whatever as do plan to down size at some point...i expect they will follow me ...!!

In4mation · 05/10/2021 17:20

Yes, many years ago when I was single and interest rates were high. I had three in succession.

The best one was working in my city and went home on Friday after work and drove back up on Monday morning. She was great. Hardly saw her and had my house to myself at weekends.

Another bloke I got on really well with, the other girl not so much. But it was fine. They mainly kept to their rooms and kept the kitchen and bathroom fairly tidy. I did the actual cleaning.

Wouldn’t want anyone who would want to hang out in my living room though. And you need to be on the same page about tidying/cleaning kitchens and bathrooms. And overnight guests.

bowlingalleyblues · 05/10/2021 17:38

Yes, for two years in family home. I was advised to be clear about my rules (no sharing living room, no overnight guests) and I picked older people and people who were just looking for a lodgings and not a long term home. It wouldn’t have worked otherwise with young kids.

lastqueenofscotland · 05/10/2021 20:20

I have
Yes to making absolutely crystal clear it’s a landlord-tenant arrangement
You’ll probably need to tell your mortgage company and get a GSC.
Religiously vet them!
I’ve never had a disaster but I’ve been REALLY fussy and also made expectations/house rules really clear from the offset. Nothing to onerous but I couldnt live with someone messy or had overnight guests every night.

proudwomansexmatters · 05/10/2021 20:29

Yep. Try spareroom.com. I had a Monday to Friday lodger because I used to work away in the week and liked my space at the weekends. I live in an area where there are lots of people who work here in the week and go home at the weekend.

It was great. Altho I did end up marrying him....! 😂

Rummikub · 05/10/2021 20:34

Yes I have and it was fine. In 20s not long after uni. Lodger was a post grad student. There was some differences in lifestyle though as we were both working and lodger liked to entertain the ladies!

lljkk · 05/10/2021 20:48

Pfffft... I had only good experiences as a lodger.
But...
friend has recently had lodgers with mixed experiences.
One lodger was a perv.
Another lodger had a rough deal (vomitting pet while owner away)

My mother had them on/off with mixed experiences -- mostly fine for my mother but I think bad deal for her lodgers.

BlueMongoose · 05/10/2021 21:05

Check your insurance and mortgage situation.

Notcontent · 05/10/2021 21:07

@earsup

Yes...still have 2 here after about 15 years...came over as students and stayed....but i do have a big 4 bed house and only me here....2 lounges...one is polish...he is a carpenter and tiler so fixes everything that needs doing....am lucky...the other chap is from latvia...studied hospitality at uni and now a manager....both are nice....we have never had a huge row or anything in all these years...as i have no family i will probably leave them my house in my will....or whatever as do plan to down size at some point...i expect they will follow me ...!!

Sounds like a great arrangement!

Whammyyammy · 06/10/2021 10:19

We took in a friend as a lodger as a favour a few years ago. We didn't charge her rent as she was a friend in need.
Never again. She never tidied, came home drunk a lot, waking us up and she was supposed to be saving a deposit (hence we didn't charge her), broke a couple off things and had them. Our home didn't feel like ours anymore.
The snapping point was when she tried it on with my husband, we told her to leave there and then.
She then had the cheek to text 3 days later asking if she could rent our flat that we own, for a reduced rent.....

garlictwist · 06/10/2021 17:49

We had them living in our family home when I was a child. They had the attic room and didn't really spend much time at home so I don't remember them being in the way. I don't know what it was like from my parents' point of view though.