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Anyone got experience renting to foreign students?

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faerielight
faerielight Posts: 1,868 Forumite
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in House buying, renting & selling
I am trying to find ways of making some money, I have a spare room, but don’t fancy the idea of a permanent lodger bringing friends over etc as I’m ill , so I’m thinking of turning my utility room into a shower room and letting the room to students. I wouldn’t be able to provide a cooked dinner as my PA does mine, but I could offer breakfast, and I thiank I could get 2students in my spare room. Any experiences? I’m in Brighton and there are plenty of language schools here.
Many thanks to all who contribute on MSE :)
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  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    Ring round the language schools.


    But most of them offer their students more than just a room - the shared evening meal is
    * helpful for their language so part of the school's offering
    * cultural exchange
    * something the younger students needs (though adult students may be more independant)
  • faerielight
    faerielight Posts: 1,868 Forumite
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    Thanks, I wa thinking motor for older students
    Many thanks to all who contribute on MSE :)
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
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    I'd stick to accomodation.


    Hiring out your car would be risky.......
  • oystercatcher
    oystercatcher Posts: 2,330 Forumite
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    Surely students would bring in friends as much as a lodger would ? If not more so.
    Decluttering, 20 mins / day Jan 2024 2/2 
  • jonnygee2
    jonnygee2 Posts: 2,086 Forumite
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    Thanks, I was thinking more for older students

    I think, so was G_M. He's right - language school students want a cultural exchange, otherwise they'd just be renting on airbnb.

    Language school students need more than a room, they want someone to eat dinner with them, talk with them. And they generally prefer families.
    but don’t fancy the idea of a permanent lodger bringing friends over etc as I’m ill

    These students are also a very mixed bunch. Many are younger, will go out late and come home drunk etc. They may need a lot of help and assistance if their language level is low, like help with setting up bank accounts etc.

    I have taken them in before and so have my parents. I've always loved it, but its never really been about the money. I think a standard lodger is a far easier way to earn money. If you aren't able to take one of those in then I think language students aren't really for you.
  • Fen1
    Fen1 Posts: 1,577 Forumite
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    How about Airbnb? You would only need to provide the ingredients for a continental breakfast, and the guests can make it themselves. BUT you have to make that clear in the advert that you are not cooking for them.Alternatively, say no breakfast provided: some places do that. That's fine by me as I have a very restricted diet and it's safer for me to bring my own food. I feel it's a waste paying for food that I can't eat.

    I use Airbnb a lot, and am always grateful for the use of a kitchen, if you would be happy to have a stranger cook their supper. That is the advantage over a B&B for the guest, the cooking facilities.

    If you do go down the route of hiring out a room, whichever way you do it, please make sure that you do it nicely and not on the cheap. This means having the capital to buy decent bed linen and towels, and not use your tatty castoffs. Do you have the capital to treat your guests with respect? Or are you a Rigsby, trying to make easy money?
  • dimbo61
    dimbo61 Posts: 13,720 Forumite
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    " I could get 2students in my spare room "
    Not sure 2 students from where ever they have come from want to share a room.

    have you got a property that is up to standard ? Smoke alarms GSC ETC
  • PasturesNew
    PasturesNew Posts: 70,698 Forumite
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    Those foreign students tend to come with a raft of specifications and requirements.

    Many require 3 meals/day, as dictated by a list. Even breakfast has a spec of what it should include.
    Some will require you to meet/greet them daily.
    There might be room sizes/specifications.

    By all means phone round and ask.... but you can expect that a number of them would find you "not suitable" for their particular students.

    You might be better off offering a 5-day lodger agreement via a site like AirBNB or spareroom....
  • gamemodapk
    gamemodapk Posts: 8 Forumite
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    Most likely understudies would get companions as much as a tenant would? If not increasingly so.
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 32,867 Forumite
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    gamemodapk wrote: »
    Most likely understudies would get companions as much as a tenant would? If not increasingly so.

    Eh?
    As from your other posts you're probably building up your post count to start spamming please don't bother. They will be removed.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
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