Renting a Room Advice

Renting a room is becoming more popular for landlords as it has become an increasingly attractive way to generate higher returns from their investments. As the cost of living across university towns continues to rise, due to the influx of wealthy foreign students, more homegrown students are struggling to afford luxury accommodation and have to turn towards renting rooms.

Furthermore, welfare reform is now pushing young people under the age of 35 who receive housing benefits into shared accommodation in the private rental sector, thus adding even more pressure on available rooms. All of these factors combined make room to rent a great way to improve rental income while providing much-needed housing solutions.

But how does renting a room work? Typically, when a landlord rents out a room they are letting out space within their own home or property that they own. The tenant then pays rent in exchange for having exclusive use of one or more bedrooms within a single dwelling unit.

The landlord and tenant agree upon an individual rent amount which is paid directly to them each month as well as other house rules that must be adhered to whilst living in the property. It’s important for both parties to ensure that everything is documented thoroughly and legally before signing a contract - this includes outlining utility bills, designating communal areas and specifying any agreed-upon furnishings such as furniture or appliances that can be used by both tenants and landlord.

Finding a suitable tenant

When it comes to finding a suitable tenant who will take care of their home, landlords should conduct thorough checks before agreeing on a tenancy agreement (including credit checks). Landlords should also consider taking out appropriate insurance policies which would protect them from any damages caused by tenants during their stay at the property. Landlords may wish to enforce certain safety measures such as fire alarms and smoke detectors if there are no existing ones already installed in order to ensure compliance with current legislation and regulations governing rented properties. 

Make sure you comply with all relevant legislation

When it comes to renting a room in the UK, it is important to ensure that you are compliant with all relevant legislation. This means that you should familiarise yourself with all of the laws and regulations that apply to landlords in the UK. Depending on the kind of property you are renting out, you may also have additional safety requirements to comply with.

For instance, if you are running a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) then you will likely need to fit additional fire doors and sprinkler systems throughout the property. You may also need to obtain a gas safety certificate from an approved Gas Safe registered engineer before letting out a room or any other part of your property. 

Aside from meeting current legislation and safety requirements, there are also other measures which landlords can take to ensure their properties remain safe and suitable for tenants. The most important thing is making sure that all gas and electrical appliances within the property have been serviced regularly by qualified professionals. It is also recommended that landlords carry out regular property inspections themselves, as this helps them ensure that any issues – such as damage or untidy common areas – are addressed promptly. 

Make sure deposits are protected

It is essential for landlords to consider how they will protect deposits paid by tenants too. Landlords who take deposits must register and protect them via an authorised scheme, such as The Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS). This ensures that any disputes about deposits can be handled fairly at the end of a tenancy period. Additionally, landlords may want to think about taking out insurance to protect against loss of rental income due to tenant default or malicious damage caused by a tenant during their stay in the property. 

By doing thorough research into both legal requirements and additional measures they can put in place, landlords can ensure they provide a safe and suitable environment for those renting rooms in their properties in the UK.

Advertise your property the right way

To get the advertising right for renting a room in the UK, you need to make sure you draw in exactly the type of tenants that you are looking for. To do this, it is best to post your advertisement on the right websites like Romb.co.uk. When writing your advertisement, ensure that it is 50% longer than usual with more details and facts as well as higher semantic richness so that potential tenants can get a more comprehensive understanding of what they are looking at. 

Describe the room accurately, such as its size, layout and features like furniture, appliances or any other amenities that you provide. If possible include photos of the actual room and any views from outside (garden, park etc). Be sure to provide details about rent and bills information (what’s included?), the deposit amount required if applicable and how long the tenancy agreement should run for - this will help prevent any confusion further down the line.

When talking about your expectations from tenants; list out house rules such as quiet hours and if smoking is allowed or not so there are no surprises later on. Finally provide some information about yourself or others living in the house - this helps potential tenants feel comfortable if they know who they may be sharing with.