Letting a room out

coletteflaherty

Of course this seems like a good way to make a bit of extra cash, but just wondered if anyone had seen the schemes that are in local papers where you take in a 16/17 year for maybe three-six months?

I rang up to get information and was told it is kinda like fostering (I just wanted the £100 a week, not sure I want to babysit!), but it's also just helping kids who either don't get on with their parents or who live in crowded homes get on in life.

Is this something people would avoid like the plague or is it a good idea? I like the idea it's only temporary in case we didn't get on with a lodger, plus I wouldn't have the first clue how to go about getting a regular lodger, save from putting ad in the paper, where I might up with a madman!

maryjane01

I have to admit some kids scare me these days, I personally wouldn't do it, but then again these kids really do need people in society to look out for them and I 100% respect anybody that would take on the job.

How about foreign language students that come for a few months? Probably depends where you live, but there are language schools all over London where they hapl arrange accomodation for their students in people's homes.

tsharp

A woman i work with rents a room to a Jap student (we work at a uni), she gets £115 a week, and the lodger is quiet as a mouse. The uni pays her, so the rent is never likely to be unpaid, but it's only for 3 months or something....

That's a monthly mortgage paid right there!

johnofhertford

If you do decide to take in a lodger then make sure you check out the "rent a room" scheme which means you can receive up to about 400 pounds per month in rental income tax free.

This link has some more details:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/Taxes/TaxOnPropertyAndRentalIncome/TaxOnRentalIncomeArticles/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4017804&chk=mGasop

As for how you check whether the lodger is a nutter, well I wouldn't know. Get some references maybe, or try to advertise through friends or work.

Adbru

From current experience, If you live near a college or Uni then you should easily be able to rent out a room.

My eldest has just started at music college but they dont have a halls of residence and it has been a nightmare trying to get accommodation.

Most digs went before the summer when people got their places confirmed but his was a last minute decision.

As he is 16 it has been very difficult to get digs, estate agents and lettings agents just say no due to his age.

Hopefully we are sorted now but a hectic and frustrating week !!

Adbru

tomaz64

Hi i rented one of my rooms for 4 years until two weeks ago when he upt sticks and left and it is now bliss.He was a friend of my mates and paid his board no problems just a bit strange in the fact he never seem to use the washing machine,always burning his meals when cooking,never used the shower/bath,never went out apart from work the list is endless but as a revenue earner its easy money as long as you can put up with peoples traits.So i say go for it.

Iona_Penny

We have had lodgers on and off for quite a few years now. When I was at home more when the children were tiny then we had teenage language students; some were lovely others ate nothing and didn't want an evening meal so it was really easy money! ( we once had a Mexican boy who cried all the time and had to be moved..turned out OH had a tatoo and he thought only criminals did and he might be nurdered in his bed:rotfl:

Now have adults from a flying school who have paid loads for there course, very committed and not my responsibility (couldn't help but worry about the young teens)

I think something short term is a good idea, and also with rent paid by reliable source, but these kids are bound to have some issues (ALL teens do) so you need to be prepared; who else is in the house, young children? will they have lots of time alone in your house? etc I don't want to dissuade you just get you to think through. Start with tight house rules about music, use of bathroom etc (you can relax them later if you want but much more difficult to add new ones) and ensure you keep below the £380(?) a month to keep this free of tax.

looneyleo

My family have fostered children of all ages (including teenagers) for years. I would think very very carefully before offering your house to 16-17 year olds who are probably coming from very difficult backgrounds. It will not be a case of just letting out the room. I could give you an horendous list of potential nightmares that can happen if things don't go right...Please consider this option very carefully because it is tantamount to fostering....

november

coletteflaherty wrote:

Of course this seems like a good way to make a bit of extra cash, but just wondered if anyone had seen the schemes that are in local papers where you take in a 16/17 year for maybe three-six months?

Yes we run one.

I rang up to get information and was told it is kinda like fostering (I just wanted the £100 a week, not sure I want to babysit!), but it's also just helping kids who either don't get on with their parents or who live in crowded homes get on in life.

Some areas Supported Lodgings Schemes are for young care leavers and for young homeless and in others just for young carers. Some are run by social services depts and others are independant.

Its not quite like fostering as you are not responsible for a child. Young people of 16/17 can live away from home but need support. Our scheme offers person to support the landlord and the young person has a support worker also. I think most others are similar.

Is this something people would avoid like the plague or is it a good idea? I like the idea it's only temporary in case we didn't get on with a lodger, plus I wouldn't have the first clue how to go about getting a regular lodger, save from putting ad in the paper, where I might up with a madman!

To be honest it depends on you. If you just want money for the easiest type of lodger don't do it. If you feel able to support a young person move on from e.g. being in care to living independantly then you could consider it. Most schemes offer training and support for landlords and various checks before accepting them.

If you want any more info do feel free to pm me.

Oh by the way - its normally short term because its temporary supported accommodation for the young person before they get an offer of permanent accommodation by the local authority.

november

Addition as I had to go out so posted hastily before:

The schemes as I said are normally for young homeless or young care leavers. One thing to bear in mind is they may have led disruptive lives previously so may have some issues.

The landlord normally provides support to the young person. This is why a higher rent is paid as its rent plus support costs. The type of support is usually the sort of thing young people would 'pick up' from their parents if they were leaving home at an older age e.g. how often do you change your bed/how to do washing/how to cook (you are not expected to cook for them) etc. They usually have a 'support plan' which states what the support worker is doing and what the landlord is helping with.

One thing to bear in mind is it is a professional relationship you will have with the young person - you are not their mother or carer but are their landlord be it a supportive one.

Landlords are normally CRB (police) checked as is any other adult living in the house and references are sought before the landlord is accepted. House rules for the young person are written by the landlord and scheme. Advice on all aspects of renting and supporting a young person should be given by the scheme to the landlord.

If you want to let a room out but don't want a young person then you could consider a deposit bond scheme instead. Most areas have one but you would have to check if your local one accepted resident landlords and housed single people (ask at the council they should know).

If you want to 'go it alone' a good guide for landlords is "Letting Rooms in Your Home" by what was the ODPM (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister). This govnt dept is called something else now but you can probably still get a free copy from ODPM Free Literature, PO Box No. 236, Wetherby, LS23 7NB. Phone 0870 122 6236. I'm not sure if the email address still works as its odpm@twoten.press.net.

Also as johnofhertford says check out the "rent a room" scheme for tax purposes.

Anthillmob

abimay wrote:

Good advice, I'd like to foster as well.

a troll wanting to foster? who you gonna foster? some billy goats gruff?