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[Advice Wanted] Interviewing Lodger: What to look out for??

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  • 23-01-2007 5:04pm
    #1
    FrCrilly
    Closed Accounts Posts: 528 ✭✭✭


    Hi All,

    I’m buying a 2 bed apartment in Dublin as an owner/occupier and planning to rent the second bedroom out to a lodger. Just wondering has anyone out there had a bad experience with lodgers, and if yes, can you share the details of the experience. Ultimately, I want to know what you (the owner/occupier) would ask at the interview stage to prevent the scenario happening again.

    Thanks in Advance.


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    #2
    SimpleSam06
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,048 ✭✭✭SimpleSam06


    Well theres a whole lot that can go wrong. You need to work out first of all if they can pay the rent and bills regularily, so ask them what kind of job they have, what is their position, and how long they have been in that job.

    Then there is the (possibly even more important) social aspect of it. Its harder to pin down problems that might arise there. Students might have a clubbing social circle, with friends over a lot, and might indulge in the odd bit of smoke. Professionals can be just as bad, or worse since they generally have more loose change to throw around.

    Remember whoever they are, friends and family will likely be calling over at one stage or another. Ask them what their plans are for the future. If they look reasonably well and are outgoing personalities, you could do worse than to give them a chance.

    It might sound like common sense, but the more you know about them, the more informed a choice you can make.

    Oh and don't believe any urban legends about couples. Theres as much difference between one couple and the next as between one person and the next. People in a stable relationship are often the best tenants, since they aren't as likely to be going out on all night benders with the attendant effects on their health and sociability. Also, at the end of the day you can get more rent from a couple.

    Not to mention that even if you do take on a single renter, sooner or later they are going to form a relationship, and may well move out.


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