Managing heating allowances and noise disturbances in a lodger agreement?

Reply to the comment left by BB at 09/01/2024 – 13:58
The traditional electric blankets go underneath you. I got an electric blanket for Christmas, that is an actual blanket, goes over the top of me. Its amazing, has a timer and heat level.

Both types are very cheap to run and obviously silent too. And, importantly, heat me up in less than 3 mins, which will be quicker and more pleasing for your lodger.

Thank you for everyone’s kind comments. I informed our lodger about my health condition and addressed the noise issue once again. I also suggested a potential plan: lending her a small electric oil heater to supplement the heat in her room, raising it from 14°C during sleeping hours. It costs 28p per hour/1000W and amounts to £1.96 for 7 hours a night. Our contract already stipulates that additional usage will incur extra charges, in addition to the 5-hour daily allowance (None of the previous lodgers needed to supplement, so this clause has never been applied).

I soon received a reply from our lodger. She stated that she doesn’t need the electric heater, and that she only required some extra heat to aid her recovery as she already has an electric blanket. She also emphasized that she is away a lot, so she isn’t using excessive energy, which is true.

I got the impression that she thinks it’s fair to use up the heating allowance during her absent hours when she is home, hence leaving the heating on overnight. I don’t oppose this method as long as she is willing to turn down the heat to lower the noise level when she’s asleep.

What really puzzles me is that if she wants to change the clause, why can’t she discuss it with us first? Surely, a signed agreement means something for both parties, doesn’t it?

To be honest, we don’t really care how many days our lodger is away or how much energy/money can be saved. What we truly care about is how much this person adheres to the contract or is willing to discuss the proposed changes.

Our previous lodger worked from home almost every day for about a year, and we never worried about ‘extra usage’. He cooked us lovely meals, and my husband gave him lifts to work when needed. We even became friends. However, the current lodger is very different, doesn’t engage in small talk, never addresses me by name, or asks where I come from. My therapist suggested that we should sit down and have some cake and tea, but I think I should just let it go and leave her alone for now.

Reply to the comment left by BB at 14/01/2024 – 10:01
She doesn’t seem very cooperative. Have you tried turning up the heating and taking her in to your bedroom so that she can hear the noise levels herself? Unfortunately some people have no empathy and it is sometimes necessary to emphasise what to many people would be obvious.

Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 14/01/2024 – 10:10
Thanks for the suggestion ☺️ No, it’s impossible to try it this way. She would think I am overreacting. However, if she says, “Oh, sorry to hear that you can’t sleep,” I would feel much better.

Reply to the comment left by Dennis Forrest at 14/01/2024 – 10:10
Maybe I didn’t explain well, she has stopped turning on the heating overnight so I think I should just let it go?