House sharing/rent a room/pitfalls??

Pssst

Has anyone either rented a room either as the renter or owner? I'm thinking shared house/flat type situation.

What are the pitfalls and advantages?

Has anyone rented a room in an established family home?

What about security? i guess there isnt any and you can just be practically hoofed out at will?

What about deposits? Can they be guaranteed/insured in any way?

Any other feedback/experiences appreciated.

misskool

If you are lodger with a tenant occupier then your rights are very limited, you can be kicked out at will. If you rent a house-share, with an AST (assured shorthold tenancy) then you'll have rights and deposits protected.

Renting as a lodger normally includes all the bills and whatever utilities in the house, not with a house share.

debrag

I've rented shared with & without the landlord living in. All my house shares included bills. You don't get much space unfortunatly.

You get an agreement like anyother renting.

mlz1413

I've both been a lodger and had lodgers

My first place was great I got a cheap rent, inclusive of everything apart from phone, in return for cleaning the house as the guy who owned it was always out. everything changed when he lost his driving license and then was home all the time, we didn't get on and I moved out soon after - so lack of notice works both ways.

I then did a house share through an agent again rent inclusive apart from phone, but the house mates weren't good the bathroom was always dirty and the kitchen had no rules so saucepans would be used but left dirty and food would go missing from your shelf. I wouldn't rule this out for you but I would urge to check the house and intended mates before moving in.

I moved out of above asap and again rented a room in house, this was great and I stayed until I bought my own place.

I had a lodger when I bought my place and am still friends some 15 years on, ensure you lodger is someone you get on with, set the rules and don't be taken for a ride.

Down sides of being a lodger is you can't take friends / boyfriends back too often and you have to respect things like music and coming in at late / earlier (bit like being at home) but upsides are it's cheap your responsible for yourself and its a good way of knowing if you can cope finanically and emotionally without making a long commitment.

creditboy

I moved into a shared house because I was desperate when I was alot younger. The house wasnt very clean, food would go missing and I then fell out with the live in LL who told me he wanted me gone by the time he got home from work the next day. No formal agreement was in place i had no where to go but the LL wasnt bothered about that. Be very carefull of being a lodger, you have no or very little protection.

sazza42

I shared for about 11 years before I bought my first flat. Lots of advantages, lots of disadvantages... It can be hard living with different people all the time, but it will certainly teach you to be a tolerant person!!

Jowo_2

Pssst wrote: »

What are the pitfalls and advantages?

Pitfalls: personality clashes and lifestyle disagreements which can be mitigated by choosing the right lodger/landlady and drawing up and sticking to house rules.
Advantages: can lead to friendships, be sociable and cheap.

Pssst wrote: »

What about security? i guess there isnt any and you can just be practically hoofed out at will?

There is less security of tenure for lodgers with live-in landlords who are more like guests (therefore they don't need a court order to evict) but this can be mitigated by using a lodger agreement that gives a fixed term or notice period.

Pssst wrote: »

What about deposits? Can they be guaranteed/insured in any way?
.

Deposits from lodgers cannot be protected in the Tenancy Deposit Schemes which only applies to tenants on ASTs. Sensible precaution is to have a receipt for the deposit, lodgers agreement and inventory/schedule of condition for the bedroom.

lightSwitch_3

I too have been on both sides of lodging. I can't really add much to the answers here, most aspects have been covered, and they are all very reminiscent of my experiences.

If you are looking to be a lodger then try and psych out the LL, extend the interview length and glean as much info about his personality as you can - this requires experience. Some unscrupulous LL are quick on the trigger and will take your deposit over any insignificant infraction. Tie them down to a fair agreement that protects both of you - rent rate, deposit, notice, acceptable wear and tear.
If you are looking for a lodger then you are in a better situation because if the lodger turns out to be a problem you can tell them to leave. If they come across as respectful and honest take them, don't hesitate as good lodgers are hard to find.

Bunny82

If you touch lucky and get a relaxed and easy-going household then that's brilliant. But if you get a b!tch from hell like the other half has now then you're in trouble and life becomes miserable!

Luckily the other half is moving out soon and will be washing his hands of this so-called friend. :T

debrag

I've lived in 4 house shares and none have been sociable, though only one had a sitting room but it was never used, I did move into that property with a mate so I did stuff with her when she wasn't working away. Those room mate, find a room sites are the best places to look if you want to know who you will be living with before hand.

For me I was going for the cheapest place.