Here is a list of all the posts published in the 21 days of tips series:
Day 1 – What is a lodger?
This looks at whether there is a legal definition of a lodger and gives advice on avoiding creating a tenancy. There are some interesting comments on this tip.
Day 2 – Have you got permission to take in a Lodger?
This looks at the various permissions necessary before you can rent out a room in your home.
Day 3 – Have you got proper insurance?
People don’t always realise that taking in a lodger can invalidate your insurance. This tip looks at how to avoid this.
Day 4 – Is your property in a proper condition?
Although lodger landlords are not bound by the landlords repairing covenants as set out in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, this does not mean that they have no obligations at all …
Day 5 – Have your gas appliances been tested for safety?
Lodger landlords are bound by the gas regulations, and this tip sets out what needs doing and also has some safety advice
Day 6 – Do you have the right furniture and furnishings?
This tip looks at getting the room ready, and discusses your legal obligations
Day 7 – Will taking in a lodger turn your property into an HMO?
Something very much to be avoided if at all possible, this tip explains how
Day 8 – What about tax and council tax?
This tip looks at the government’s rent a room scheme, and SpareRoom.com’s Raise the Roof campaign.
Day 9 – How do you find lodgers?
Discusses various methods such as student accommodation offices, shop windows and the internet.
Day 10 – How do you draft adverts and deal with enquiries?
This tip stresses the importance of safety, as criminals have been known to target lodger adverts.
Day 11 – How do you interview lodgers?
Looks at preparation for the interview, suggests questions to ask and discuss, and looks briefly at deposits
Day 12 – What checking and referencing is needed?
Discusses things to take into account when coming to a decision and describes the referencing process
Day 13 – What about rent and housing benefit?
Discusses the thorny problem of how much rent to charge, and looks at the Local Housing Allowance and the problems associated with taking in lodgers on benefit
Day 14 – Should you have house rules?
These set out domestic arrangements, the sort of thing not covered in a formal agreement
Day 15 – Should you use a lodger agreement?
This may seen unnecessary for an informal lodger situation but it is best to have one, just in case problems arise
Day 16 – Should you take deposits and use an inventory?
Deposits are useful protection if your lodger breaks something, and an inventory is essential for working out if any damage has been done, particularly over a long period
Day 17 – How much paperwork and record keeping is involved?
This post gives a useful list of all the paperwork involved
Day 18 – How should you behave towards your lodger?
Making friends with your lodger, privacy issues, and increasing the rent?
Day 19 – How should you deal with problem lodgers?
Sets out an action plan
Day 20 – How do you evict a lodger who won’t go?
Most people will never need this post
Day 21 – What should you do when your lodger leaves?
Dealing with the last day procedures
Thats the end of the tips. If you want more, I also have a book out, which you can buy from Amazon – The Quick Guide to Taking in a Lodger
