Renting A Room Out Experiences?

[tadpole73]

Hi
Has anyone rented a room out? Any tips or experiences please. Thought it would be a good idea as a single mum to aid me staying in the marital home, but nervous as I have a child.

I used to rent my spare room to language school children. I'd have 2 or 3 for 5 nights each week as and when I wanted. I've also had foreign language teachers to stay for a few weeks per time.

Is that an option? Much less of a formal arrangement but I guess more work as I had to provide breakfast and dinner. My ds was a baby when I first had them to stay.

I rented a room through spare room.co.uk, to a foreign student who was doing a summer work placement here.

I spoke with her over Skype first, took a deposit up front and had a contract. (That website has some templates you can use). I'd definitely suggest trialling a short term arrangement to see if it works for you before you commit to anything longer term.
Also make sure you make it clear what's included, I.e. Room only, use of kitchen? Storage? Can they use the living room? What furniture is provided, etc etc.

I also met two other people who wanted the room, but didn't feel completely comfortable with either of them, so didn't offer them the room. It's your home and you HAVE to feel comfortable with whoever is living there, particularly with your DC.

I did exactly this. Ex left and refused to help towards mortgage and my pay wasn't enough. I put an add on spare rooms.co.uk and within two weeks I had a lodger lined up who moved in two weeks after that. She has now been living with me for 5.5 years!

It meant I got to stay in my home and also had a bit of company too. My DS was 2 years old at the time.

Clippityclock Sounds like it's worked out well for you. Did you take a deposit, write a Contract? Any dos/fonts? Thanks in advance

I thought about doing this but then this happened nearby in my area and it put me right off. I just wouldn't feel safe with a stranger in my home.

Scary Driftingsea
Think I'd request only females - generally a little safer

What's about near where you live?
My friend lives near an airport and a university, over the years she let out a room to mature students ( she specified female post grads) and cabin crew who need a few days a week near the base airport. One has been staying various amounts of days per week for over 10 years now.

cyzandabc Yeah I'm near a University and small airport. I was thinking of a female mature student.

I did take a deposit. However, just by chance she happened to work in the same hospital as me but in a different department and I could have got references but never got round to it. I would however, advise you to get them.

I also decided I wasn't going to worry about who pays for loo roll/cleaning products and just stated she needed to clean up after herself. No strange men in the house etc.

She's not allowed to leave now

I rented 2 roooms out in my house when my ex and I split. I lived in a 3 storey house so they basically rented the top floor out as there was a bathroom up there. I have 2 boys who were 11 and 14 at the time.

I put an add on spare room.com and advertised for females only. My house was up for sale but it didn't seem to put them off. I lived near a university and a hospital so had loads of interest. I did it for about 8 months and it was a life saver.

I had a couple of nurses, someone that was just out of uni and worked at the university and a Slovakian girl who worked in a warehouse, cycled miles and was saving up to move and work in London.

It wasn't ideal but I'd do it again and it helped pay my mortgage!

I did that when my divorce came through. She stayed 3 years and it was such important money at the time.

She was late 50 and although she had her own home she moved jobs to be nearer her children and rented her home out and stayed with me.

It worked well. I had two meetings with her before deciding on saying yes and I asked a friend to interview her with me the second time.

Had a deposit and a formal agreement.

Make sure everyone is clear about boundaries, toilet roll and other consumables, use of cupboards, fridges, room use etc.

I had a lodger a few years ago. I woke up one night to the guy and his gf having a domestic. I looked to my then husband and said - do you ever feel like you are living in someone else's home? Needless to say it wasn't long until they were gone.

My advice is - Just pick wisely