Rent a room deposit and damage

[Lone Star]

Renting one room in my house to a medical professional. Put in two brand new bathrooms last year and so far there is melted red wax on the tiles, and hair dye stains on a cream wool carpet. More than normal wear and tear? They may stay for a couple of years, and they are nice, pay on time. Just can't get why people are so careless. We rented an air bnb 2 weekends ago and left it spotless. Living room has loads of their stuff including furniture in it. Do i charge for carpet down the line? Up the deposit? Two of their family members will stay for a few months later this quarter, I'm charging a modest amount. House is insured for lodgers. Comments welcome, haven't rented rooms in years. THX

 

[ClubMan]

Have you spoken to them about these issues and general care and attention?

 

[Lone Star]

I will do, they were working and in and out very quickly the last few days.

 

[DannyBoyD]

Ban open flames, replace carpets with hardwood floors, all personal items in their own room. I personally wouldn't have overnight guests, but its your call.

 

[Lone Star]

I'm part idiot. I'm rarely there and ended up cleaning up when i am. Need to toughen up.

 

[DannyBoyD]

I'm rarely there

I'd be careful re Rent-a-Room tax situation.

 

[Bronte]

I'm part idiot. I'm rarely there and ended up cleaning up when i am. Need to toughen up.

This is odd. As is the relatives visiting for “a few months”. Then add in the furniture in the living room…

Wax you should be able to get the wax off. Cream carpets and tenants…. If they stay a couple of years it will be wear and tear.

BTW you’re overtly conflating the cost of new bathrooms with tenants using them.

 

[Gordanus]

g one room in my house to a medical professional. Put in two brand new bathrooms last year and so far there is melted red wax on the tiles, and hair dye stains on a cream wool carpet. More than normal wear and tear? They may stay for a couple of years, and they are nice, pay on time. Just can't get why people are so careless. We rented an air bnb 2 weekends ago and left it spotless. Living room has loads of their stuff including furniture in it. Do i charge for carpet down the line? Up the deposit? Two of their family members will stay for a few months later this quarter, I'm charging a modest amount. House is insured for lodgers. Comments welcome, haven't rented rooms in years. THX

This is the reason why I drew up a Lodgers Agreement when I had lodgers. It covered their rights, my rights, household rules re visitors, noise, kitchen use, laundry, cleaning, and security. It started out very short, but with experience ended up two pages. But it's astonishing what people regard as 'normal', and I wanted to be able to live happily and without rows. There were times, of course, I had to reinforce aspects eg cleaning up after yourself, putting laundry away, taking turns vaccuuming etc.

 

[Lone Star]

Have since stated no candles or incense are allowed. The tenant is a doctor from overseas; parents are staying for a couple of months. I've upped the rent I was going to charge for their stay; it's still reasonable. There's no excuse to have hair dye on a cream carpet, arrived home recently and the house was filthy and cluttered. I think I'm just shocked to have to educate a professional on keeping a house clean and how to use the recycle bin and have that they reduce the furniture that's cluttering the living room...my guess is they got it free on adverts etc. Many thanks for comments.