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A good friend has been dumped and as a result will have a mortgage he can't afford to pay alone so needs a lodger. Has anybody advertised anywhere before with success? Obviously it's going to be down to the person and checking them out but possibly someone has had some success somewhere?
Probably won't matter but he's based in Hednesford so right on the edge of the Chase.
spareroom.com was what i last used, but also word of mouth
For everyone's sanity, set up some simple paperwork detailing what they are getting as lodger, what part of the house they can access etc, what the rent is. You can get a template lodger agreement from Shelter website, amend as appropriate. Make yourself aware of obligations you have in terms of giving notice etc etc. There's good advice on Shelter as to what right's a lodger has
Ive had 5 lodger's over the years, all have been great apart from one who was a dick but always paid on time.
A good way of screening candidates is to get them to call and leave an answerphone message about themselves, what they do for work and play etc etc. If they can do that as asked, and they sound like a possible, then arrange to meet.
local hospital's probably worth a go - they'll have a noticeboard
Sandwich Jr tends to use spareroom.com whenever he's on college placement. He'll be looking for somewhere in the Northern Midlands after May this year.
Am I plucking random numbers out of the air, in thinking you can get ~£3500 lodger rent per year tax free?
Edit: Yes I am, it appears to be £7500 https://www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme
Owner might currently be getting council tax discount due to living alone, with a tenant they will need to lose discount.
It's actually nearer 7.5k iirc
Thanks all, I've let my friend know and it's appreciated.
7.5k rent a room allowance, a friend lived on her own in a nice house, g council tax so c 4k pa. Claimed her single persons discount and let to a lodger not really thinking about it. Lodger then registered to vote from this address,
About 3 years later council sent bill for full council tax, say 1k pa x 3 = 3k.
Owner was only doing lodger a favour for a bit of company, Think the rent was a few hundred pcm.
Claimed her single persons discount and let to a lodger not really thinking about it.
Pfft, wouldn't it be handy if the council asked every year to confirm your house still single person occupancy, would surely help these 'forgetful' people.
SPD is 25%, so the CT was £4k pa?
Gumtree worked ok for me
See spare room stuff above as that’s what I used.
When I checked into it I found that insurance probably won’t cover theft/damage by lodger, so I’d get all social media dets and phone nos etc and do some online research.
you can also specify Mon-Fri only lets (work commuters) so you have the house free at weekends and I think don’t have to pay extra council tax (as they live in their own home)
also the house owner might have to adjust a bit and remember the lodger is paying to live there.
it worked well for me.
When I checked into it I found that insurance probably won’t cover theft/damage by lodger<br /><br />
Yep I would be double checking insurance to see if you are covered for buildings and contents if a stranger lives in your house.
Also are there any mortgage implications?