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Original poster

references for potential lodgers

29 replies

WanderleyWagon · 11/02/2023 13:32

I've advertised my spareroom on spareroom.co.uk to find a lodger. I have had lodgers before but always via word of mouth. I'm wondering about references. I would provide the option to contact one of my previous lodgers, but I'd also be looking for some reassurance that the person I rent the room to is reliable and honest.

Has anybody on this board done this before? What kinds of reference(s) did you look for? Contact employer? Contact details for previous landlord or flatmates...?

All suggestions are welcome!

OP posts:
FlowerArranger · 01/04/2023 16:58

AnotherDelphinium · 01/04/2023 11:48

@WanderleyWagon you’re correct that you don’t need to protect the deposit; I do the same and keep it in a separate account.

For anyone else who it might be useful for, I pay for a reference on openrent, it costs £20, so I only do it once I’ve received the deposit, but basically you pay, give your potential lodgers email, and they get back to you with a complete reference.

What's a 'complete reference' ?

And what can they actually check based on just an email address?

Most people have several email addresses.

I'm curious.

AnotherDelphinium · 01/04/2023 18:21

@FlowerArranger oh sorry, I mean they then email your prospective lodger and get all their details and then run checks.

There is a sample report here, but it included their full details, a credit check, employment and income, bank details, previous addresses, residential status and the right to rent check.

https://d10hbub4nkludc.cloudfront.net/content/servicedocs/referencing-report-comprehensive-OR022023.pdf

FlowerArranger · 01/04/2023 18:37

Thanks, this looks useful

letsallmeetupinthehyear2000 · 01/04/2023 21:39

hexagon123 · 22/03/2023 15:05

@gwrachod yes it's very unreasonable to expect a potential lodger to

  1. not meet you at the home they want to rent so they can get a viewing
  2. meet you with another person not living at the property and has no significant interest in the property
  3. except to meet you for a coffee before they move onto the next stage

Assuming you don't give them the address of the property it's really bizarre!

except this happens to be exactly what spare rooms recommend you do - meet somewhere neutral and I chose to take my friend - no problem with that at all
Also where did I say they the lodger didn’t see the room before they agreed to take it?
perhaps youre just having a troll moment

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