Making a decision After the interviews (discussed on Day 11) comes the decision! It is important to choose carefully, as this person will be sharing your home. This section looks at checking and references. Remember that this is a business relationship. Although it is important that you like them, you are not looking for…
The interview This is an important part of the selection process. However, remember that prospective lodgers will also be checking out *you*, so put your best face forward and make sure the house is nice and clean and welcoming. It is often a good idea to have someone whose opinion your trust with you when…
This section deals with the practical aspect of advertising for and finding a lodger. However first, a warning. Safety first We have already touched on security issues in the section on insurance. Before you launch into drafting out your advert and inviting strangers into your home, you need to be very aware that criminals often…
After all the preparation, we are now finally at the stage where we can start looking for our lodger. Here are some suggestions: Friends and family Although it may seem unfriendly, it is often best to avoid taking in a friend or family member as a lodger. Particularly if you have not had lodgers before…
Tax One of the nice things about taking in a lodger is that you can earn up to £4,250 tax free under the government’s Rent a room scheme. The main downside is that some allowances, such as the Landlord’s Energy Saving Allowance (under which landlords can claim back the costs of buying and installing energy-saving…
HMO issues There are three things you need to know: Whether your property is already an HMO, or Whether by taking in lodgers you will create an HMO, and Whether, if your property is an HMO, you will need to get a license 1. Is your property already an HMO? This may be the case…
Furniture and furnishings – legal obligations So far as legal matters are concerned, the most important thing you need to know is that all furniture must comply with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1987 (and the amendments made in 1988). Basically, these say that all furniture must be fire safety compliant and carry…
Gas Safety Gas safety is *really* important. People have died from poorly maintained gas appliances. Although you are letting to lodgers and not to tenants, the Gas Safety Regulations will still apply to you. This means that you must get your gas appliances inspected: before the lodger moves in, and then again, every year. If…
The condition of your property ‘Proper landlords’, i.e. landlords of separate properties let under tenancies such as assured shorthold tenancies, are bound by what are known as the ‘statutory repairing covenants’. These are a set of rules set out in section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. However you will be happy to…
Insurance matters Many people don’t realise that taking in a lodger will affect their insurance, or that it is something that they ought to tell their insurers about in advance. However, if you do not do this, you may invalidate your insurance cover. Also, if there is a theft at your property where there is…
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