Here we go - overpayment to the max :D

lynneinjapan

Congratulations on the new job!

I'd say that by far the easiest way to bring in some extra money, if you have a reasonable-sized spare room and a fairly comfortable and conveniently-located house, is to get a lodger. Here in Birmingham the going rate is around £300 per month, and as you know, that's tax-free, so it would cover most of your overpayment even without the extra job. Have you tried asking around friends and colleagues to see if they know of anyone who's looking for accommodation? You could place an ad in the local paper (that's how I found my first place when I moved to B'ham) but make sure you get some form of reference. Summer/early autumn is probably the best time to be looking because that's when the new graduates are starting work, many of them on proper graduate salaries, and will be looking for somewhere a bit nicer to live than the hovel they lived in as a student!

Also make sure you get the lodger to sign a written contract. I don't have one to offer you but I'm sure that Googling "lodger contract" would bring up plenty of useful information. Insurers are generally OK about you having a lodger but will tell you that you have to prove forced entry if you make a claim for theft, and the lodger's belongings won't be covered by your insurance.

8pnoodles

Re: your lodger wanted situation. I live in a shared house and one of the sharees moved out recently and we had to get a replacement. We were worried about who might turn up!

So we advertised for a female non smoking professional. We didn't get many responses, but it meant we got someone normal-ish!

We also showed people the house and then said we would "let them know" rather than accepting the first person through your door. Plus it gave me and the other housemate a chance to discuss who we wanted in.

This is all fairly standard, anyone renting knows you are going to be sharing your home with them, and it's beneficial for the pair of you if you get on.

Advertise in the local paper and maybe some large professional employers - local hospital perhaps?