How to Live with Several Lodgers
Renting out a spare room in someone’s home has now become a cheap accommodation solution for tenants and an extra source of income with many welcome advantages for landlords. However, you’ll need to learn how to live with several different types of lodgers: Here’s a little guide to help you out.
Sharing Space with LodgersIf you’re having several lodgers live with you, be it for short or long-term stays, it’s your habits and lifestyle that change, so you need to be prepared for that. First of all, you need to set out the rules of shared living before the tenants arrive. Are you going to eat together? Will you have set dinner times? How much freedom will you give them in your home?
There are lots of questions that you’ll also need to ask your tenants. The best way remains organising a mini meeting before each lodger arrives to let them know about and to discuss the house rules, and what each of you want. When you first start sharing your home with someone, communication is the key to landlord and tenants sharing the same space and means that you avoid frustrating situations and things being left unsaid. It also gives you the chance to get a list of house rules down on paper, along with your future absences or the times you come home to give to your lodgers.
To start things off perfectly, make sure that you have everything ready for the lodgers before they arrive!
A Few TipsIt is essential that you make sure the tenants know about the house rules. Take meals for example, set out who prepares the meals and at what time; either everyone does their part, or you ask for a small financial contribution for each meal. You could also ask your lodgers to do the shopping. Don’t hesitate to plan a rota or schedule to follow; you can also plan who does which household chores. In this way, everyone pulls their own weight.
It’s worth considering warning your lodgers with post-its or on a whiteboard near the door when you’re going to be away or when you’re going to have people over in the evening.
Author: Roomlala
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