Have you ever had a lodger in your house? Was it a mistake or good.

My younger daughters boyfriend was sofa surfing so I said he could move in with us, stuck it out for a couple of months and I had had enough so gave them a deposit to rent a flat, never again!

My Sister stayed here while house hunting , I am still on n
speaking terms ....................just about

Our now SIL might just as well have been a lodger - but we did not get paid!

Since my brother had a breakdown, lost his job and his marriage ended I have had a lodger. He ain't heavy, he's my brother!

My son was in a band back in the 90's and the new guitarist moved in with us for "a couple of weeks'. Six months later when my son had actually moved out he was still here and my husband had to politely tell him it was time to move on - he went to stay with someone else in Reading and probably didn't pay then rent either. Having said that he was a lovely lad and a brilliant musician. While he was here we also had another band member stay in the same room - the mess had to be seen to be believed - he only lasted a fortnight

We had our mod langs assistants from my school staying, and then we had students from the local University. It was great fun most of the time, and it paid for all sorts of extras, and also paid for DD1 when she went to Uni.

Still in touch with several of them.

When I was walking in my village yesterday a woman stopped her car and told me how much she liked the fairtrade top I was wearing. She went on to tell me of her love of travel and Peru. She then drove off only to then reverse up and ask whether I had a spare bed. I am afraid I lied and said no. Having a lodger would be my worst nightmare because I am so set in my ways after 17 years living alone. I don't think she would like my 5am getting up either!

When I was married a friend of my ex moved in for a few weeks and it was a disaster. He paid very little rent but if eg we had a takeaway he expected us to pay for his share. He would drink milk like it was going out of fashion- he really cost us money because of his thoughtlessness. He was earning a very good salary, he could have afforded to rent a flat.

I could not take in a lodger now although I have the space- he or she would not like to hear me padding to the loo 3 hourly. Anyway I have been on my own for too long.

Had one that was perfect, worked in city and home at weekends, others for a sports season from oz and didn't like but financially great. Too intrusive tbh

We had a nurse from Ghana lodge with us for a few months until she found her own flat. She was lovely and paid her rent very promptly. I don't know if I would do it again though.

We had work experience students in their early 20s from France. They were coming over here working with local firms and building up links while improving their language skills and learning vocabulary specific to their area of expertise.

They used to stay for about 6 months at a time. Most were delightful, one I couldn't wait to get rid off and another made a pass at me (I was younger then). The one of Allgerian descent taught me some great recipes, my French certainly improved, I became a fan of French folks songs and it was a worthwhile experience.

One Saturday morning at about 8am, there was a ring at the bell. A waif like woman stood there, himself had answered.

She wondered is we had a spare room. She knew damn fine we had as the kids had left home. So Josie arrived. I was not too keen, but as we had a spare fridgefrom my Mums flat she could use that.

She did pay rent, but my gut feeling was there was something wrong. She was fussy in what she ate, but I found out she was anorexic, and had used her sob stories before. She did not last long.

Next we had a fellow whose office was near us but lived on the other side of the country. He stayed with us when he worked nearby, always had the same breakfast, and paid by the night. A perfect combination. We could have charged by the whole week, but money is not my prime concern, just a few extra pounds.

Ive had lots of lodgers over the years and only ever had one problem a young lad who stole from me He was straight out of care and he had a lot of life problems I forgave him but when it happened a second time although he was mortified and cried and I did forgive him but didnt want to share my home with him any more All the others young and older and from a variety of countries were a joy to have

But like Shysal said I too am far too set in my ways after 15 years living alone and dont think i could adjust any more

If I ever was left on my own- I would take in a lodger again, but choosing very careful and setting down ground rules- to have a companion and someone to share meals, outings, etc. But I have lots of space and my own bathroom.

We had a friend's boyfriend lodging here. He ate all his meals with her so didn't feel the need to pay us money! He used to come in at 2am and wake us up 'creeping' up the stairs. Both of us were working full time and we had two teenage children. After a fortnight we had had enough. He then found somewhere else to sponge off lodge and stayed there several months rent free. He didn't even give us so much as a bunch of flowers. Never again.

I had lodgers for years (big house, no money). Some were fab others were awful.
Have ground rules. Don't get too chummy.
Lock your own rooms. I'm still in touch 30 years later with the young American aged 21 who came to stay for a year while attending uni here !

Before I left England to go to Germany I lived in the house I had grown up in and this was after the death of my mother.

I started with lodgers and the first were local junior school teachers. I cooked them breakfast and evening meal Monday to Friday. In return they babysitted for me 2 evenings a week whilst I was doing a course at a college and paid of course. Later I took in student lodgers from the eye clinic.
I can only speak positivley and it helped me over a difficult phase financially,but you have to lay down the rules of communal living straightaway and stick to them.

I was a mature student with a child and I had to have lodgers to make ends meet. It was awful. I listened to their sob story, they were about to be made homeless with their young baby so I let them have the run of the house for a small rent and a share of the bills. At the end of the first quarter when I presented them with the bills, they made a lot of fuss about how high they were even though their presence had made them high with continued use of heating, washing machine and tumble drier. About a week later when they knew I was going to be out til late, I came home and found they'd left, torn the pipes on the washing machine so the place was flooded and of course, hadn't left the money for the bills. Never again.

I had a lodger for about 5 years. An elderly man whose children I was friends with. I was still working full time so he kept the dogs company and we often watched TV together although I had one in my bedroom. He kept himself to himself and the extra money was lovely and we each felt like we were not alone in the world. I also had a young man lodger for about 3 years, also kept himself to himself and although he had to be reminded about washing up at times, he was also very pleasant. Ground rules need to be stated up front, rent collected up front, and key to own bedroom door. I have had a female friend lodge with me for about 6 months and she was a bit harder work than the men, but am considering sharing with her again, this time in her home as I travel a lot to see my grandchildren in the US and also petsitting for others, so would be nice not to leave an empty flat as I do now.

I had a lodger (she never paid a penny) but she was the material for a book, as it turned out that she was a con woman who had been to jail for it, and was about to go again.

She was a good cook though.............and a diversion.

When I was a kid everyone had lodgers, it solved the hosing crisis, helped people eke out their money and provided an early form of IVF.....just be careful.

I used to take in foreign language students to make a bit of extra cash.
Some of them were more mature than others, the young ones were sometimes a nuisance.
I once had a young Spanish girl from Madrid, she used to stay out late and all sorts.
In the end her parents had to come over and take her home.
I've also had some lovely people from all different countries.
They always brought a little present.
The only downside was the fact that the English language schools didn't pay much, but you are supposed to treat them as one of the family.
Not has any long term lodgers. Only daughter.

Had a lodger recommended by a so called friend - for a few weeks only - to help the person through a difficult time in his life. Would never again do this without setting some ground rules first and an official agreement - he caused damage to our property and started to grow what I think were illegal substances which pushed up our electricity bills! We got rid of him pronto.

Having said that, my elderly grandfather, after my grandmother died, let out rooms in his home over many years to a number of young nurses or health auxiliary workers training at the local hospital. He offered decent accommodation at a low price - and knew if he had any health worries he could ask them for advice or assistance. He made many friends, and continued to keep in touch with them all after their marriages - sometimes being invited to their weddings. We lived a long way away, and I think this arrangement meant my parents were less worried about him as he grew older and frailer. However, he remained active and independent well into his nineties!

I had uni students to help out with money when my children were small. They were both friendly and polite but I learnt very quickly about explaining what ground rules meant. One would shower or bath in the morning and leave the bathroom a mess. When I reminded her of the rule she was a bit taken aback when I said it applied straight after use, not in the evening when she felt like it. She explained that 'at home Mummy does it'.

The other had her post addressed to Nosila Nudd leading my rather racist (40 years ago) postman to ask if I had 'one of those funny foreigners' staying.

I've had lots of lodgers, mainly actors, or theatre people. All fab. I thoroughly enjoy the company and the gossip.