Unexpected benefits of taking in a lodger

Jenny

Jenny (63) is retired and lives just outside Edinburgh. She’s been taking in lodgers for 5 years.

It helped me to maintain my love of the outdoors and, most importantly, my physical and mental well being.

“After I got divorced I bought a property and decided to rent a room to help cover the bills and afford weekends away and holidays.

Having a lodger has meant that I can comfortably afford much needed breaks, which was especially helpful when I was still working and supporting my family. It helped me to maintain my love of the outdoors and, most importantly, my physical and mental well being.

My current lodger is a similar age to me and we have similar interests. We both enjoy cycling, running, walking and occasionally watching TV together.

If I have friends or family visiting I sometimes open the invite to my lodger to join us. Last year we walked the West Highland Way with a small group of walking club friends and, more recently, we cycled the Hebridean Way.

My advice for anyone considering renting out their spare room is to make sure your lifestyles are compatible. This has enabled a respectful and considerate arrangement for us that allows us our personal space, both in the house and our personal lives.”

Rosie

Rosie lives in Surrey and has rented out her spare room on and off for over 30 years.

One of my past lodgers in particular has remained a very good friend even after he moved back home to Norway. We even flew to Oslo arranged by his parents as a surprise!

“I started when I needed help paying for my son’s school fees and I rented out two of my rooms to dance students during term time.

I continued to let my rooms during the week even after my son graduated as I found the extra income a real help.

After my divorce, I found myself missing the company of a lodger and decided to rent out my spare room again. One of my past lodgers in particular has remained a very good friend even after he moved back home to Norway. We even flew to Oslo arranged by his parents as a surprise!

My advice for preparing to have a lodger is to let them know your routine and establish basics such as your expectations for cleaning and sociable hours. It’s important to stay hospitable and make them feel like part of the family but you also have to have house rules. Meeting face-to-face beforehand is essential as that way you can get a feel for people.”

Joanie

Joanie is 67 and lives in Cumbria. She has been renting out her spare room for over 20 years from Mon-Fri as she likes to have the weekends to herself.

Renting out my spare room has been really helpful financially…but I continue to do it because I enjoy the company.

“Renting out my spare room has been really helpful financially since I retired. But I continue to do it because I enjoy the company of another person in the house.

I get on very well with my current lodger. We have become especially close since my mother passed away. His constant upbeat attitude has kept me going! In general, I feel a lot safer having someone else at home with me.

It’s all down to finding the right person to make it a positive experience. My advice on finding a lodger is to be open minded and trust your instinct - You get a feeling when it’s the right person!”

Tim

Tim is semi-retired and lives on the outskirts of Northwich. He has been renting his spare room out for over 15 years.

I find having guests in my home a very rewarding experience.

“I do it because I enjoy meeting new people. It keeps me sane and keeps my brain ticking!

Having the extra money helps to fund my car collection, but most of all I enjoy being able to share my space and help other people.

Over the years, I’ve had lodgers stay from around the world. I still keep in touch with many of them. My shortest lodger stayed for 7 days and my current lodger has stayed with me for the past 3 years. I find having guests in my home a very rewarding experience.

Before deciding on a lodger, I recommend drawing up a lodger agreement to outline everything clearly between the two of you, including details such as having a written termination period and at least 2 referees. From previous experience, I suggest working out your age preferences to make searching easier. Figuring out the logistics - for example, whether accommodating a couple or someone with a pet is practical for you - is also important, before commiting to a decision.”

Rupert

Finally, meet Rupert. As well as living with lodgers, Rupert is also SpareRoom’s founder! He started SpareRoom back in 2004 to help connect flatmates and still believes living with the right people beats living alone.

I’ve found best friends, kindred spirits in business, and every one of them has brought something to the house and to my life. They’ve even helped me through some difficult times.

“I have lived with 14 lodgers over the past 10 years - many of which I found through SpareRoom. I started off living with flatmates again in my 40s as research to try out my own service but it soon turned into a new way of life and has prompted me to continue renting out my rooms on and off ever since.

I’ve found best friends, kindred spirits in business, and every one of them has brought something to the house and to my life. They’ve even helped me through some difficult times. I had just come out of a long-term relationship when I first started renting out my spare rooms again. At first I was apprehensive about the idea of coming home to lodgers, but after being greeted at the door with smiles and “how was your day”, it’s amazing how fast you’re lifted out of that funk.

Currently I have my 2nd cousin Millie lodging at my home in East London. Although it’s the biggest age gap that I’ve experienced with a lodger so far, we get on very well and enjoy catching up at the end of the day over a drink or dinner. An unexpected bonus is that it’s also led to spending more time with family, who I otherwise only seemed to see at weddings and funerals. Millie also helps by looking after my cat Boo, whilst I’m away.

My advice for anyone getting a lodger is to be up front, honest and welcoming. It's helpful to enter this adventure with an open mind.

My advice when searching for a lodger is to be crystal clear about what you want. I recommend asking for a work reference before committing to a contract. I would rather have the room empty for a month or two than get the wrong lodger.”