Advice About Renting Rooms In My House?

I think the first thing you have to do is consult with your local council as to whether this is permissable, You don't want to do anything illegal! If that part is all right, sit down and make a list for yourself. There are many things to consider.

How many rooms do you want to rent out?
Will you offer meals or room only?
Will you do laundry or allow the person to use your washing machine.?
Do you want a female resident only, or is a male okay?
Do you have pets? (it's advisable to let a prospective renter know if you have a dog or a cat, some people are allergic, some just don't like animals)

You can tick your list off as you go along.
Ask for references and agree on a fair payment. Don't make it so high that the poor thing has to say No, and sleep on the street that night, but don't cheat yourself out of anything either! Good luck!

Tom Cool

May 23, 20080 found this helpful

Getting tennants by word of mouth is better than getting them from the newspaper. A friend knew I was a great landlord so he matched me up with his parents who needed a place to stay. They paid me $350 per month for years to rent the bottom half of my house and I never raised their rent.

Jana
Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 116 Feedbacks

May 23, 20080 found this helpful

You must be very, VERY careful. Renting rooms in your own home is much different from renting out a home you own but do not live in. I have let people that I've been friends with for more than 20 years stay with me and things started disappearing. I would never have thought that this person would have done this, especially when I gave them my hospitality, shared my home, my food and everything else with them free of charge, and then, this. So please be careful with who you rent to.

Kim Churchman
Silver Feedback Medal for All Time! 378 Feedbacks

May 23, 20080 found this helpful

I am happy with my housemate, and I charge half the mortgage. I told her that we would see what difference she makes in the utility cost compared to the previous bills from the same time a year ago, and there was none.