Renting out spare bedrooms - advice / pitfalls

Catplan

Ok thanks seems to be a bit of a minefield I may need to reconsider.

Racky_Roo

I have rented out bedrooms over the years. I started with just doing a Mon-Fri so I had the place to myself at the weekends. These renters tend to be older people who have families at home so literally get up, go to work, come home about 7, eat a microwave meal and then go to bed. I found they nearly always worked from their actual home on Fridays so they were only there Mon-Thurs morning so it worked out great, they were all lovely people and it gave me a good taste of what renting out rooms would be like.

I then ended up with a full time lodger for a while but found if I had guests at the weekend it was a bit awkward if they were around too. Definitely spend time chatting with the person, see if you think you'll get on and have similar schedules so you don't get a lodger up at 6am using the blender for his smoothies and then doing a noisy workout in the living room or a night owl up watching films til 2am

FreeBear

I've had lodgers for nearly three years now. The first pair, a right b....y nightmare (less said about them, the better). Current one, a heart of gold and a pleasure to have around. Good company in the evening and always there if I need someone to talk to or need a helping hand.

You need to ask yourself why you want a lodger - If it is just for the money and you can segregate them at arms length, you don't need to be too picky. If it is company you want, it is essential that you are selective and take your time choosing who you want to share your home with.

getmore4less

Catplan said:

Hi all

Firstly hope this is the correct place to post this. Currently thinking about renting out spare bed rooms. I’m on my own in a 5 bed property. I’m considering renting out a double with en-suite, and a double room. Kitchen dinner, living room dinning room would be shared. I’m aware of the rent a room scheme and the 7.5k allowance.

im just at the information gathering stage and do need to tidy up a few bits around the property before advertising. Just looking for hints and tips of those doing it / with previous experience of doing similar.

If it matters I’m based in Scotland I’d be living in the property, mortgage is paid off but understand I’d need to inform insurance and council tax as currently single occupancy.

Depends where you are if there will be the demand but an option is short term letting, airbnb and as mentioned the Mon-Fri. This can give you similar(more) money but with more options to have a break from people in your house over a long term option.

Catplan

I’m in the central belt of Scotland Livingston area, good transport links to Edinburgh / Glasgow, unlikely to be much interest for Airbnb, but you never know. 

Catplan

FreeBear said:

I've had lodgers for nearly three years now. The first pair, a right b....y nightmare (less said about them, the better). Current one, a heart of gold and a pleasure to have around. Good company in the evening and always there if I need someone to talk to or need a helping hand.

You need to ask yourself why you want a lodger - If it is just for the money and you can segregate them at arms length, you don't need to be too picky. If it is company you want, it is essential that you are selective and take your time choosing who you want to share your home with.

 I’d be happy with either, it’s a reasonably sized property and certainly able to get alone time; after the isolation of this last year I would like the company. So will consider these things. I don’t mind a 0600 start / workout in all honesty I would mind a 2a.m party midweek though.

Catplan

Racky_Roo said:

I have rented out bedrooms over the years. I started with just doing a Mon-Fri so I had the place to myself at the weekends. These renters tend to be older people who have families at home so literally get up, go to work, come home about 7, eat a microwave meal and then go to bed. I found they nearly always worked from their actual home on Fridays so they were only there Mon-Thurs morning so it worked out great, they were all lovely people and it gave me a good taste of what renting out rooms would be like.

I then ended up with a full time lodger for a while but found if I had guests at the weekend it was a bit awkward if they were around too. Definitely spend time chatting with the person, see if you think you'll get on and have similar schedules so you don't get a lodger up at 6am using the blender for his smoothies and then doing a noisy workout in the living room or a night owl up watching films til 2am

Thanks so good points to consider. The 6am blender workout isn’t a deal breaker the 2am night owl might well be.

getmore4less

Catplan said:

I’m in the central belt of Scotland Livingston area, good transport links to Edinburgh / Glasgow, unlikely to be much interest for Airbnb, but you never know. 

With 5 beds you could do both get a regular and take a punt the more touristy/contractor option for a bit extra.

Looking forward to when it next happens if handy enough for the festival for just a few weeks disruption could be a decent earn

There seem to be plenty in that central belt on the sites so must be some demand, make a fairly decent base out of the cities..

Catplan

Yeah got a few improvements I wish to make, freshen up the decor, replace flooring in hall and living room but make a start.