Renting a Room - any advice?

pureaswhite

Hello All,

I am struggling with money and am going to rent a room out in my house. Having never done this before I don't know where to start, how much to charge, should I include bills, what kind of agreement should I enter into, where do I advertise??

Lots and Lots of questions - can anyone help??:j

Oldernotwiser

The main thing is to get everything clear at the start. For instance, are they just renting a room or are they going to be sharing the whole house? Whether or not you include bills, who decides when the heat goes on? What's the situation with housework?

You need to decide whether you're looking for a housesharer or a lodger.

Cranston_2

I did this for 3 years 1990 to 1993. Back then I was charging £50 per week for a room in my 3 bed-semi.

Put an ad in the local paper. Make it easy, i.e. the rent should include elect, gas, rates etc. Most people have their own mobiles so the phone is not an issue.

You will meet some strange people but I had a lot of fun, I recommend it and the cash really helps.

I had no legal agreement just a shake of the hand - probably not the best way to do things.

Running_Horse

Agree with the last post.

There is no easy way to identify a good lodger, although I found contractors were a good bet; they understood about paying on time and were used to sharing.

Avoid people who want a cheap place, but expect everything their own way. And avoid under 21s and students.

Tassotti

Cranston wrote: »

I had no legal agreement just a shake of the hand - probably not the best way to do things.

NO NOT AT LL

All good fun until you get some psycho in there..Always have a written contract.

Can get them out much quicker!!!

That's a down side ..Could be fun....

Gamble?
Tass

MoneySavingSpender

1. Get your hands on a lodger tenancy agreement which covers everything
2. Ensure you prepare a thorough ad which clearly explains/implies the kind of lodger/housem8 you want to live with
3. The one and overriding factor which should weigh you decision on your new housemate should be your gut instinct.

Gangstabird

Make sure that you tell them everything down to the fact that Talc in the bathroom on the mat is not an option.

I rented a room from a man who used talc after every bath. It wasn't nice. In fact it was quite gross to step in someone elses talc - errrrrrrrrrrgh yuk

I have a hatred of talc to this day. Even when I had my babies..........eeeeeeeeeeeeeeuuuuuuuuuuuuurrrrrghhhh

Just be really clear on boundaries

Can they bring people back.

Are they allowed to use your living room.

Can they eat in your space.

That sorta stuff...

poppysarah

Rental costs - look up LHA they have a sharing room rent level

m1ntie

I have been letting rooms for 3 years and I agree, it is important to make your expectations clear from the very start. Choose someone you think will have a similar lifestyle to yourself.

If you like a quiet house make sure you mention it in your "room ad" If you enjoy the occasional party, mention that. Also mention "smoking or non smoking" If you dont want smoking in the house, beware of smokers who say they will smoke outside - in my experience they always end up smoking in their room.

When people view the room, always go off your "gut instinct" if you dont feel ok about them, just tell them you have other people viewing and you will let them know.

Always use an agreement, if you need one I can email you one that you can use or modify.

With regards to ads I have always found easyroommate.com and spareroom.co.uk excellent for getting responses.

Good luck

briona

Gangstabird wrote: »

Make sure that you tell them everything down to the fact that Talc in the bathroom on the mat is not an option.

But if you're TOO clear on your rules, you may end up with no one at all!

I went to see a flat a few years ago, and the girl who owned it, with whom I would be sharing, showed me around. It was a two bedroom flat (one ensuite) meaning the potential tenant would have the bathroom to themselves, and the kitchen and sitting room were one room...

As she showed me around she started to set out the 'house rules'. Now with regards to not smoking, not putting your feet on furniture, being careful with anything the landlady owned, fair enough but this girl was in a league of her own when it came to laying down the law. Below are just some of her more unreasonable demands:

• When I have friends over, you'll have to stay in your room or go out.
• When I want to cook, you can't use the kitchen.
• If you're cooking and you are using a pan I need, then you will have to wash it up immediately (and no doubt get out of the kitchen too – see above!)
  
• It's my TV so when I get in, we'll watch what I want.
• The main bathroom is yours but I will inspect it once a week to make sure you're keeping it clean. Then you will clean it to my standards.
  
• If any of your friends smoke I don't want them in the house. EVER. Even if they're not smoking at the time.
  

Screw that! You can pay your own bloody mortgage! Needless to say, I didn't take the place! :rolleyes:

Having the courtesy to remember that a tenant is helping you to afford your lifestyle doesn't go amiss...

mlz1413

briona - LOL :rotfl: I can see why you ran a mile!

I had 2 rules when I took on a lodger
1 - It's your home NOT your own
2 - Don't let the head board bang on the wall


I was very lucky had one lodger who I still get on with some .... err ... cough.. years later. As most have said trust your gut instinct.

Also have a good think about what upsets you, what you cannot deal with and how do you like the house to be kept. If finding someone elses smalls on the radiator is going to put you off your cornflakes then best just to make some house rules.

I would also give lodger a choice to contribute to bathroom stuff like loo roll, hand soap weekly/monthly with rent or to had an every other time agreement. A friend of mines lodger just used her shampoo and conditioner, body lotions etc without thought which made it hard to ask after a couple of months as it had become the norm.

Remember you won't get your single person discount on council tax and to factor that into the rent you are charging.