UK Landlord Forum / Life

 Lodger or not?... facilities and terms

    Calling all legal experts!

    I am due to complete on a Victorian house next Friday. The house had been occupied by a mother and daughter. Mother had her bedroom downstairs in what would have been the dining room with a reception room in an extension together with shower room, WC and full family kitchen (5 rooms inc.)

    Upstairs (without any separate doors) - all open as one house - lived 30-something daughter who had a reception room, bedroom, bathroom and KITCHEN (with gas oven) in a room over the extension upstairs (4 rooms inc.)

    Guess they needed their own space for entertaining etc.

    We are attracted to 'renting out' the upstairs rooms. We certainly don't want to go down the route of a separate dwelling/tenancy. We are keen on the Government Rent a Room scheme. It will only be myself and wife who can manage living in the current downstairs set-up.

    QUESTION:
    - Can we have a professional couple in as 'Lodgers' who will essentially use upstairs (all 4 rooms) including a Kitchen? They will not be restricted (on paper) to use the whole house but... 'operationally', will have own facilities upstairs (inc. cooker). Shared facilities will include washing machine. Naturally shared areas include entry hallway and potentially rear garden.

    Can they be lodgers? the more I read the less I understand, looking for some helpful voices! certainly keen on doing things by the book. Don't like surprises!