Renting a room - any tips please?

[louby44]

Trying to sell my house and in the meantime I need to rent out 2 rooms to help with £££.

I have a 3 storey house and the third floor is quite self contained with a large double bedroom, a smaller single bedroom and a shower room.

I have a couple of people interested but before they view what should I ask, expect. I've never done this before so it's a bit scary sharing a house with strangers.

Bills will be included and I've said kitchen, lounge areas will be shared. I've asked for a £100 deposit and references!

I've got a simple lodger agreement that I've downloaded but that doesn't cover everything.

Ask about their job, working hours etc (don't want to be woken up by someone drying their hair at 5am), about their eating and cooking habits, drinking/going out etc.

Go with your gut instinct, and just remember you can kick them out at any point if it goes disastrously wrong.

I've rented rooms and rented out a room, it can be great as long as everyone is on the same page. Be clear on 'rules' from the beginning.

Ie - can they have guests over, can they use living room, kitchen cleaning expectations etc

My mum has lodgers. Few things to consider
Smokers/ pets
Friends/ partners visiting/ staying
Use of kitchen; fridge, oven etc
Internet use - will they share yours? If so be careful of download limits if they watch films etc online

Don't forget you might need to let council know if you currently get single person discount on council tsx

Don't have a shared lounge - if they have bedroom/smaller room as well they won't need it. Unless you are looking to be friends of course.

Think about overnight guests. Ours were no more that 1 night a week stopover.

Give them a cupboard in the kitchen/shelf in the fridge and freezer.

I always found Mon-Fri (4 night) lodgers best, particularly older consultants who did long days/went to the gym and only really wanted somewhere to crash after heating a ready meal!

I've stipulated no pets or smokers.

I can separate cupboards/fridge shelf.

Think I need to make a list and use it as a basis of discussion. I have 2 boys who aren't keen but understand that we need a bit of extra money!

I am hoping they won't really want to share the lounge. I have spare TV's that they can have in their rooms.

Thanks for your suggestions!

As a former long-term housemate/lodger, you need to find out if they are messy or tidy. I've spent years turfing other people's pubes out of the bath and cleaning other people's poo from the loo. Which is totally disgusting.

If you are a tidy person, you have to make it clear at the outset that you expect communal areas to be kept clean and tidy and all washing up to be done promptly and put away.

I never want to share again, but good luck!

Oh god don't put me off! I am fairly tidy and expect the same.

Don't worry Louby - you just have to make it really clear at the outset. I found that whenever I did that I didn't have a problem. Good luck!

Could you get one lodger and set the other room up as a small lounge? I'm not sure how many adults really want to rent a small single room.

My only comment is that £100 isn't much for a deposit.

I've actually had a lot of interest for the small single as the rent is less I presume. I have someone coming to view it on Saturday.

And a potential lodger for the larger room at the beginning of August when her nursing course starts.

Sods law will be that I get an offer on my house once they are both in and settled!