Why am I not getting any tenants?

[Greenandcabbagelooking]

I have rooms in my flat which I would like to rent out to lodgers. Despite a premium advert on SpareRoom, lots of nice photos of a clean and tidy flat, and a ton of information in the advert I have had no viewing, or even many replies when I have messaged people.

How can I get people to reply? Where else could I advertise? What might make my advert more attractive? Help!

Can you link? Or post some of the pictures at least?

What is the area like? How big is the room? Shared facilities? More info needed!

I think that unfortunately due to Brexit there aren’t so many sharers around - so many Europeans have left!

Try your local Nextdoor.co.Uk - I see people advertising rooms in the area close to me.

The biggest thing is likely the price. The great thing about spare room etc is that people look for all sorts of places to live, so you should find someone. Equally, it might depend on who you are looking for.

Say you can get a one bed flat for 600 a month, you are unlikely to get a 'professional' lodger versus a city where a one bed is 1200 for example

Good luck, hope you find someone nice. My gran used to have lodgers, and I loved meeting them

Think about where people looking for accommodation might look. I hadn't heard of the website, you mention. You want to reach potential lodgers but also their friends or family so you get the word of mouth effect.

Try local Facebook page. You could create a new account specifically.

Local estate agents, then it will get onto Rightmove/Zoopla as people browse these for interest.

Do you have any connections who work with local large employers?
In days gone by, a message on a notice board might yield interest, but now would need to be done remotely via staff intranet. You may find that employees who have been working from home at a distance now need to return to the office and want to move closer.

Does the ton of information possibly come across as bossy or too authoritative?
Loving with a live in LL is not everyone's cup of tea.
Whats the demographic you're appealing to?

Would air B&B suit your needs? I work at one that takes select contractors usually on a 3 month long basis .

I used to have lodgers every single one was word of mouth from contacts. I don’t know the website you are on but I wonder if you need a more social media style recruitment? Go and tell everyone you know you have a fab room to rent....

Spareroom is the right place to advertise. I would think your info is probably too much. Have you looked at what competition you've got and their pricing, etc?

It must be too expensive

We used to have lodgers and used spareroom.co.uk - where are you advertising OP? I imagine there are a lot less lodgers around at the moment because of Brexit. The one person I know who was lodging recently decamped back to their parent's spacious home when the first signs of lockdown arrived and is still wfh so he can't be the only one doing that.

Oh sorry just realise you said you use spareroom. How about university housing lists?

Spareroom is definitely the biggest and well known site for lodgers, surprised people have never heard of it but maybe you wouldn't if you had never had the need for it. It's the equivalent of Rightmove for lodgers!

If you're brave put up a link, or at least the area you're in. Brexit is one thing, Covid also people not necessarily wanting to share with complete strangers. Also dare I ask how old you are, I used to use Spareroom years back when housesharing and I wouldn't have wanted to share with someone.. er... 'more mature'.

Decide who your ideal lodgers would be' imagine their age, job, and where such people work that's local to you. If you're on a good bus or public transport route, look for employers close to that route. Easy transport is a draw for people with no car.

Then make a poster, print them off, and distribute around the staff room in suitable employers. Hospital, school, local college, factory, large office.

If you know someone who works there, ask them to put up the notice for you.

Are you in London? prices for lodgers / flat shares in central london have collapsed recently because so many students are not here. All my students who used to be lodgers or sharers have upgraded to studios or one-beds & are loving it. but not so great for landlords.

The other website I have used when renting out a flat who also cater for sharers is Openrent www.openrent.co.uk/properties-to-rent/putney-greater-london?term=Putney,%20Greater%20London&bedrooms_max=0&viewingProperty=10. They advertise on Rightmove and Zoopla which Spareroom doesn’t.

When I look for a flat share - any live in landlord is a no !! Never really your place and it’s less secure as a tenancy. Couldn’t relax 😂 but I’m sure not everyone feels the same

Since covid it's been much harder to find lodgers - people don't want to share with others who might give them covid (or trigger a financially disastrous self isolation). Lots of people moving back in with their parents and so exiting the sharing market. Others deciding they don't want to be under the same roof as flatmates 24/7 while on furlough / WFH and so taking the financial hit and getting a one bed flat instead. Centrally located homes (like mine) have been much less attractive as everything in the city centre has been shut - all the advantages have gone, but all the disadvantages of inner city living remain.

I gave up in the end and turned my spare room into an office.

Price
Location
Live-in landlord
Size of space
Decor

Combo of the above?

You are advertising in the correct place.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

I’m only 30, and nearly all my single friends here in Outer London live in houseshares. I had hoped this would be easier, but I think everyone who mentioned that people went back to parents were correct.

The decor is quite neutral, but also some personalisation so it’s not a rental cream box. All furniture new, and nice Ikea.

I have reduced the rent a little, and lo and behold have two viewings. Fingers crossed.