Looking for a lodger

want2bmortgage3

I am going one of 2 ways to give me more money each month:

- renting my whole property out and finding a room myself or going back to parents for a bit

- getting a lodger in

I've been in touch with an estate agent and they are currently looking for a tenant for me but havent heard anything yet

What I also want to do is look for a lodger as I would prefer to stay put for the time being but really need extra money.

I was planning on putting an advert in the free local paper, but wondered if anyone knows anywhere online i can advertise where people would look?

Also with a lodger do you need a deposit? Should you do any checks on them, or just kick them out if they cant pay up. Do they pay in advance?

thanks guys

BASFORDLAD

the best place is www.spareroom.co.uk
yes take a deposit, say a months rent, you can do checks but most people rarely do, Seems to be a very good website. You just need to judge them when they come round and you should find someone pretty quickly.
As its not a proper tennancy you can kick them out straight away if you want to and the money you receive is normally tax free under the rent a room scheme

00ec25

try google :rolleyes: - you'll get 16,200 hits searching on room to rent

I use torent.co.uk and spareroom.co.uk (the longest void I had was 1 week)

Smiley82

Also check out Gumtree (www.gumtree.com) as it's got quite a good flat section on it.

Good luck finding the right person

Fire_Fox

I wouldn't dream of giving anyone a key to my home without a few checks. :eek: Even if that is photocopying passport/ drivers license/ bank statement/ employment contract for ID and keeping them at work for a while. We have had two moonlight flits from this building, nice people but clearly not legit. Don't forget to inform whoever provides your contents insurance!

spirit

there's loads of info on the rent a room scheme/finding a lodger etc etc on the Up Your income section.

sorry can't stay to explain more, must dash

BASFORDLAD

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I wouldn't dream of giving anyone a key to my home without a few checks. :eek: Even if that is photocopying passport/ drivers license/ bank statement/ employment contract for ID and keeping them at work for a while. We have had two moonlight flits from this building, nice people but clearly not legit. Don't forget to inform whoever provides your contents insurance!

Why werent they legit?, what they do apart from moving on quickly?

Fire_Fox

BASFORDLAD wrote: »

Why werent they legit?, what they do apart from moving on quickly?

Who do you know that moves house, a van full of stuff, at midnight? Also a number of the flats are occupied by large extended families or groups, which I can't believe are all known tenants as there is only one proper bedroom as the kitchen and living area is combined. And then there are the distinctive smells ... It's a very quiet block tho - the bailiffs turn up every so often or the electric company tries to cut someone off but no trouble.

want2bmortgage3

ok still looking for a lodger, advertised on spare room, gum tree and torent had one response on spare room, he came and looked, seemed impressed but never called back.

it looks like being out of town (despite a bus stop outside and very short walk to shops/pubs) is not what people want. nearly every potential lodger emailed to me is looking for town centre or uni. to be honest i can see why as where i am is more of a family area.

problem is i think an equivalent size property would cost quite a bit more in town so selling and buying there isnt really an option? any other suggestions or should i shell out £40 for a small ad in one of the local papers?

Annpan

want2bmortgage3 wrote: »

ok still looking for a lodger, advertised on spare room, gum tree and torent had one response on spare room, he came and looked, seemed impressed but never called back.

any other suggestions or should i shell out £40 for a small ad in one of the local papers?

My son has successfully and unsuccessfully let rooms to lodgers. He's had people who leave their room a total tip and people who can't/won't pay their rent and leave taking anything they can carry. He's let to friends who are no longer friends. Along with this he's had some good lodgers. At the moment he rents a room to a friend who's a pleasure to live with. It's a tricky business and on the whole you're better renting a room to people you know first as work mates or long standing friends. Hope you get sorted.

want2bmortgage3

that would be ideal but it narrows it right down and i've already asked around various family and friends but had no response.