Want to rent a room. NEWBIE QUESTIONS HELP PLEASE!!

Leon_82

Hi

I've been working abroad since leaving home (i'm a holiday rep admin) however I wish to move down Brighton way when back.

I have little savings and not great credit history.

I'm after a non fancy bedroom to rent, is my best and cheapest option to go somewhere like Gumtree (and other classified ad sites) rather than any estate agents as the fees etc they charge?

Thank you.

ANY ADVICE WELCOME... this is a BIG step for me in my life x

Leon

bathwiggle

I get my lodgers from spare room, you can either pay to get the 'early bird' listings or it's free to respond to them after a week. Some people on there will do credit check, others might ask for a reference instead or just go with their gut. Just remember as a lodger you don't have the same rights as a AST on a flat/house, the owner can kick you out with reasonable notice, rather than 2 months/end of contract.

Leon_82

Hi

Thats fine its not a long term plan, just so can get my head down and sleep at night after work....

lynneinjapan

Bathwiggle gives good info.

Spareroom, Easyroommate and possibly Gumtree are your best bets for room rentals. On Rightmove and Zoopla they're hard to find/identify, and you'd be going through an agent and probably paying high fees.

You'll likely be asked to pay a deposit of at least a month's rent (which must be protected by the landlord - if you're a tenant as opposed to a lodger with a live-in landlord - and the prescribed information give to you within 30 days). There may be some fees payable for referencing but if you're renting directly from the landlord then they're unlikely to be in the hundreds of pounds. Given your lack of credit record, it will count in your favour if you have someone in the UK (parents? preferably a homeowner) who will act as a guarantor.

If your landlord doesn't live in the property then you should be offered an Assured Shorthold Tenancy, NOT a licence. If they try to give you a licence then they're trying to deprive you of your statutory rights (at least 6 months' security of tenure and 2 months' notice to leave). Licences are mainly for lodgers and those in B&B accommodation.