Letting a room out

u2o

Nix143 wrote:

Silly question, sorry, but I have a single room that is sitting empty and wondered whether anyone would rent that - it's not tiny but it's not overly big. Has anyone any experience of renting small rooms? This has always put me off as I assumed no one would want it

First place I stayed at for 12 months as a lodger was a tiny box room - just about enough to have a single bed and a small computer desk, with a small tv handing off the wall. also had a built-in cupboard which was over the staircase. literally had enough space to put one step into the room.

so yeah, there are some people who would rent it out, like myself for basic facilities, stick a fan or some sort of cooling device in the room for hot summers day - as enclosed boxed room can boil up badly. and as a lodger, they may not want to keep their door open to let the air flow!

i was also able to access all of downstairs facilities, i.e. kitchen, dining room and lounge. although i rarely used the latter two - only kitchen where i was allowed access to pretty much all of the food (catered). but that can depend from place to place i guess.

Nix143

seven-day-weekend wrote:

We have had lodgers on and off throughout our married life and now our son has them!

You could try www.easyroommate.com (we have got a couple of ours this way).

Thanks so much, I have just signed up with these as I really want the extra income to throw at my debts - I reckon that the drawbacks (loss of privacy, having to keep house tidy ) are blown away by the fact this will bring my debt free date so much closer!!! :T

seven-day-weekend

Nix143 wrote:

Thanks so much, I have just signed up with these as I really want the extra income to throw at my debts - I reckon that the drawbacks (loss of privacy, having to keep house tidy ) are blown away by the fact this will bring my debt free date so much closer!!! :T

Glad you found it helpful.

Just to say....our last time on easyroommate.com...my husband put the advert on line....we refreshed the page....there was a reply...this guy is now our lodger in the SMALL room!

Good luck - keep us posted!

seven-day-weekend

https://www.landlordzone.co.uk

Correction of link in former post.

groatie_queen

I was a lodger in my youth, and am now a landlady!

I've had one lodger who stayed 2 and a half years, and was a total pleasure to have, have just found a replacement after an 8-month 'holiday' from having a PG. The replacement seems very pleasant, and I'm looking forward to having some company again when she moves in.

I've gone for tenants of the same gender as myself, and charge a fully-inclusive amount so there is no divvying up of extra amounts for bills. I've set the amount at a level to compensate me for the loss of the single occupant's council tax discount. But for the lodgers it's a good deal - much cheaper than a one-bedroom flat, with all the bills they would need to pay on top of rent. For what they pay me they have two rooms - bedroom and separate sitting room of their own, on the upper floor of my chalet bungalow. They do their own cooking and laundry, and are responsible for cleaning their own space.

I've advertised in the local press both times, and invited the prospective lodgers for a cup of tea or bowl of soup to allow time for getting-to-know-you first impressions. First time round, one person withdrew at the interview stage as she was allergic to animals - I HAD carefully explained before she came that there was a resident cat and dog!

For me it has been the perfect way to make tax-free extra income, gives me company when I want it but sufficient privacy too, and will enable me to continue overpaying my mortgage and also incidentally provides someone to cat-sit when I go away on holiday!!

corris3

We have been hosting students from the local language school for about 8 years now. It is really easy breakfast and dinner with lunch at the weekends although they usually go out. the rent is sorted by the school who also deal with any problems such as if anyone has to be moved for whatever reason. It is also handy in that it is a few weeks at a time usually with a couple of weeks off then another student although last summer we had three for about 12 contiuous weeks which was pretty busy!
We have made lots of new friends though and it has been worth it.

We only accept adults although the school would like us to take teenagers but too much responsibility I think when working as well.
.

tripled

Don't forget it is a legal requirement if you have gas to have a safety certificate, even if you are only letting a room for a few weeks. If you get caught without one you can get fined. In the worst case scenario, if someone dies of carbon monoxide poisoning and you don't have one, it's possible you could go to prison.