Renting a Room Out

AverageJoe_4

Make sure they are going to pay you!! Thats the whole point of it.

Try gumtree. At least ppl that know how to use a computer are going to ba applying to you.

Bear_Spender

AverageJoe wrote: »

Make sure they are going to pay you!! Thats the whole point of it.

Try gumtree. At least ppl that know how to use a computer are going to ba applying to you.

ha ha yep i got you on that one!! im not looking at doing this for the fun of it!!!

AverageJoe_4

cool! dont get involved with "contract" and legally binding "agreements" and all that sh-it... you're gonna be havin a person in for a bit, then they're gonna fuk off somewhere else I should think, its how it normally goes - if it all goes a bit wrong for you though, the last thing u want is some prik in your house waving a contract at you taking over....

keep it simple, stay in control.

helenjg

I use:

www.easyroommate.com
www.spareroom.co.uk
www.flatmateclick.co.uk

I don't have any rules and I treat my lodgers more as housemates and so far its been ok. Remember that its going to be their home as well so its important they feel comfortable in it and you should treat them as you expect to be treated - ie let them know if you are having guests round and ask them what their pet hates are. There will be times when not having your own space will do your head in but I have a tv in my room so I retreat into there - its not fair to be grumpy with someone because they are paying to live in your house.

I've been on the flipside of living as a lodger where I was clearly a third class citizen in the landlords house.... she would lounge across the whole sofa leaving me to sit on the floor type of thing. And its awful - it can't have been nice for her having someone in her house that didn't feel welcome.

When you have people round, give them a beer and make time for a chat with them to see if you are compatible as house mates. Accept that some people may be like ghosts in the night and some people will become good friends. You can just never tell.

Trust your judgement, get references from their employer stating why you are asking for it - eg I always ask if there any reasons why this person shouldn't live with a single woman. Get an emergency contact from them - normally their folks/partner as his ties them to someone/some place.

My experience has been good but I did have to let one couple go after they started paying their rent later and later until it was 4 weeks behind.... I was sort of ok about it thinking htey were skint but then they announced a skiing holiday to France and felt that they had taken the !!!!.

Edit: I don't have a contract - I believe that they wouldn't have much legal standing anyway.

Bear_Spender

helenjg wrote: »

I use:

www.easyroommate.com
www.spareroom.co.uk
www.flatmateclick.co.uk

I don't have any rules and I treat my lodgers more as housemates and so far its been ok. Remember that its going to be their home as well so its important they feel comfortable in it and you should treat them as you expect to be treated - ie let them know if you are having guests round and ask them what their pet hates are. There will be times when not having your own space will do your head in but I have a tv in my room so I retreat into there - its not fair to be grumpy with someone because they are paying to live in your house.

I've been on the flipside of living as a lodger where I was clearly a third class citizen in the landlords house.... she would lounge across the whole sofa leaving me to sit on the floor type of thing. And its awful - it can't have been nice for her having someone in her house that didn't feel welcome.

When you have people round, give them a beer and make time for a chat with them to see if you are compatible as house mates. Accept that some people may be like ghosts in the night and some people will become good friends. You can just never tell.

Trust your judgement, get references from their employer stating why you are asking for it - eg I always ask if there any reasons why this person shouldn't live with a single woman. Get an emergency contact from them - normally their folks/partner as his ties them to someone/some place.

My experience has been good but I did have to let one couple go after they started paying their rent later and later until it was 4 weeks behind.... I was sort of ok about it thinking htey were skint but then they announced a skiing holiday to France and felt that they had taken the !!!!.

Edit: I don't have a contract - I believe that they wouldn't have much legal standing anyway.

Thank you for the advice, all really sound advice and I guess I just have to test the water with who may or may not be interested in renting here.

Thanks

scottish_blend

I am considering this. I am fairly near to Glasgow City centre - 15 minutes on an express bus. Near enough to be handy, far enough away to be quieter than a city centre.

Does anyone have any mroe thoughts on this subject - I am pretty sure I read an article/thread on the dos and don'ts of it on here, but I cannot find it now - did I imagine it?

mike5678

Do all you people who have lodgers take rent by standing order or cash? Is it normally paid a month in advance or what?

sandraroffey

i rented a room out. either through the local university, or the local theatre often wanted a room for a person for the length of stay of a show. or mainly by advertising in the local paper.

take a deposit of at least a months rent (a 4 weekly rent) as the may damage something somewhere. and rent paid every 4 weeks in advance. minimum rental period for a long stay, is 6 months.

draw up a contract. laying down the rules and regs. especially that the deposit is for any damage only and cannot be used towards unpaid rent,

i was paid cash every 4 weeks in advance. the rent included all bills. they paid for their own broadband if they wanted it as i dont have it at home.

good luck. its sometimes a bit pot luck who you get, byt the last lodger i had was amazing,. never saw him. xx

Jowo_2

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/lodgers_rent-a-room.htm

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/lodgers_questions_&_answers.htm

Fire_Fox

NHS staff will also have had an enhanced CRB (police check) carried out.