Managing heating allowances and noise disturbances in a lodger agreement?

Does the tenant know the noise is keeping you awake? Could you swap rooms with her so she only keeps herself awake with the noise from the pipes? If the situation is making you ill, maybe you are not the right LL for this tenant. I’ve had lodgers and sometimes it’s worth a conversation about how to manage things going forward, some people are unaware of the affect they have on others – it works both ways of course and I have also needed to modify my behaviour – sharing a home isn’t easy.

Electric radiator seems like a fair balance, and if she’s renting a room in your main home she has few rights, so if she’s not agreeable to that I’d consider giving her notice.

Your health is important, too.

!4 degrees is lower than recommended for bedrooms. Around 16 degrees is usual or for older people 18 degrees. Top up at night with an electric convector heater at night is the best suggestion and get her to pay a bit extra for the electricity used.

Reply to the comment left by Jan at 09/01/2024 – 09:54
Thank you so much for your comment.
No, we can’t switch rooms because her room leads to her own garden. We did tell her to ‘feel free to turn on the heating when unwell.’ However, I would feel much better if she remembers ‘the noise issue hence the rent’ that we addressed in our interview and discusses her circumstances with us, rather than simply leaving the heating on overnight. If we are going to talk to her, she will probably say, ‘I’m happy to pay for it,’ as she is well capable. However, from our perspective, when living in such close proximity, money isn’t the only solution. Well, I guess I just need to learn how to handle such matters delicately without leaving any hard feelings.

Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 09/01/2024 – 10:07
Thank you so much for your comment. That’s why our rent is £150 lower than the market price. May I ask, is 16C during asleep is a legal requirement for lodging business?

Reply to the comment left by BB at 09/01/2024 – 10:34
There is no minimum temperature. I set my thermostat to hit 12° by 01.00am, by which time most would expect to be asleep. However, most would expect to stay warm in bed with a duvet, and if necessary, a pair of pyjamas and a hot water bottle.

The 16 and 18 degrees I mentioned are just advisory on health grounds. Ideally you don’t want it to be too hot or too cold for a good night’s sleep. We can’t always get within this temperature range – you would have struggled last June without air conditioning to get your bedroom cool enough. The other alternative for the lodger might be an electric blanket. Because of safety issues best to switch it on to warm up the bed but turn it off over night.

Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 09/01/2024 – 13:51
Thank you! I think an electric blanket sounds good ?

Can you control the heating via a thermostat and/or get a system like Hive installed? They’re not very expensive.

Then you have control over the heating times and temperature.

Or raise the rent if she wants the excessive heating enough! Doesn’t help you sleep at night though…

Reply to the comment left by Freda Blogs at 09/01/2024 – 14:41
At moment, we are using smart heating systems. Each room has its own temperature. However, because we only have 1 boiler it won’t solve the noise issue ? Our house was built 70 years ago, and the pipework is very ancient as well?