Advantages & Disadvantages of a lodger

Weighing up the decision on whether to get a lodger or not can be a difficult one, because there are plenty of pros and cons for both arguments. There’s a lot to consider.

Before you start the process of finding a lodger, here are a list of the most common advantages and disadvantages of taking on a lodger:

Advantages

  • Money – this is definitely the main reason why most people either consider getting a lodger or actually get one- for the extra income.
  • Personal safety – another common reason for a lodger is for the safety aspect, particularly common among those that don’t like living alone. Having someone else around can often feel safer than living alone.
  • Splitting shores – with an extra pair of helping hands, you can split the household shores.
  • Security – not only does having a lodger provide extra personal safety, but it can also provide extra security for your home, especially while you’re aware on holiday.
  • Easy to evict – unlike “tenants”, lodgers are relatively easy for landlords to evict, so the whole process of evicting isn’t long or expensive. There is no minimum length of time that you must allow to pass before being able to get rid of your lodger.
  • “Rent a room” scheme – this may not apply to all landlords, but to those it does, it’s a pretty big advantage- if you rent out a room in your home you can get up to £7,500 tax free income! More details available on the income tax and council tax page.
  • Your house rules – because the flat/house is your main place of residence, the balance of rights is in your favour, so you can set the house rules to your lifestyle (with in reason!).
  • Friendship – taking in lodgers is a great way of forming new friendships. Of course, that doesn’t always happens, but it is common, especially if you specifically choose a lodger that you share common interests with.
  • Culture / Language – many landlords have taken in lodgers from overseas and consequently get the opportunity to learn about different cultures and even learn a new language.

Disadvantages

  • Crowded – if you’re used to living alone, taking in a lodger can make your home feel crowded.
  • Stranger – in many cases, a lodger is a complete stranger, and that can initially be very discomforting.
  • Bad Habits – you never really know what your lodger’s habits/mannerisms will be until you live with them for at least a few weeks- at that stage, you may end up discovering habits that really grate on you.
  • Lack of privacy – since taking in a lodger means a large portion of your home becomes communal, you lose a lot of your own privacy, and you have to be more careful and cautious about what you do in your own home.
  • Conflict – when a lodger/landlord relationship breaks down, usually through a disagreement in living arrangements/habits, it can be incredibly uncomfortable, making “home life” unbearable. Most people go home to relax and detox from their stressful day, so going home to face more stress can be overwhelming.

Can you think of anymore points that can be added to either list?