Renting a room

jonnyblue

Hey everyone

After a few months deliberating ive decided that rather than live on the breadline im not going to buy and instead rent a room somewhere (and hopefully save the spare £ for a big shiny holiday!)

Anyway, ive looked at various websites advertising for roommates i.e. easyroommate and was wondering what i should realistically ask for ?

Should i be asking to see gas certificates ? should i ask for a tenancy agreement etc ?

I would imagine that most people are just offering a room to help with their mortgage payments rather than getting too involved as a landlord, im just a bit naive as to whether to take people on face value or get certain things in writing ?

Any advice appreciated

Cheers

pinkshoes

In some cities there are 1000s of rooms to rent in houses, usually people who can't afford to buy and want to save up a deposit!

The most important thing is the housemates, and whether you'll get on with them or not. Spend some time talking to them. There's often competition for rooms too, so you might need to impress them.

One thing to check is if the house is rented through an EA or a private landlord, because if it's done through an EA, you'll have to pay fees for background searches etc... (usually about £100).

Landlords now have to hold your deposit in a special account.

Ask the current housemates about things like gas, bills, heating, noise etc... and maybe probe them about the landlord. Also take a look at the state of the house i.e. if it's immaculate, then they'll expect you to be the same.

I lived in rented accomodation for 9 years, 15 different properties in total, and the most important thing is that you like your housemates!

Curious_Moose

If you go to view someone's house or flat, ask them if they own the property or are subletting. Them owning is better as there is no other landlord to worry about.

I rented a room with assorted different landlords (always owner occupiers) and never asked for any certificates or anything. Just went on initial feeling, did landlord seem pleasant, room clean, nice area, house in good repair etc.

Check what is included in the rent: gas, water, electricity, council tax, use of phone (unlikely!), line rental of phone. Also, confirm use of washing machine. Sounds silly, but many years ago, I got charged extra for that!

What about smoking, friends staying over, parking, what does everyone else do for a living (i.e. what time do they get up in the morning!)