Here are some Tips for homeowners renting out a room in London.
Taking a stranger into your home on a long-term basis is a big step for any Homeowner and is a decision that should not be taken lightly. But the feedback from Homeowners that www.getdigs.co.uk have received has been all positive. The Homeowner / Lodger relationship has been great! Here are some Tips for homeowners renting out a room in London.
The reasons for renting out a room in your home are many fold, empty nesters (a parent whose children have grown up and left home) may have 1,2 or 3 empty rooms gathering dust and can easily get additional income, young couples with no children with spare rooms where the extra income could help with mortgage repayments, even families are renting out a spare room just to add to the annual coffers – there are many and varied reasons.
Our website www.getdigs.co.uk makes it very easy to get a lodger for your spare room. The vetting process used, allows the Homeowner to get pretty much the perfect match for their circumstances. The Homeowner can be very specific on their requirements and the software ensures they do not have to divulge any of their own personal details like name, phone number, email address or address until they are happy to do so. It’s easy and intuitive to use and allows you to specify if you want to rent Monday to Friday and have the weekends to yourself – which suits a lot of people.
Here are some Tips for homeowners renting out a room in London.
1. Who Is Your Ideal Lodger?
One of the first things to consider is the type of person you’d feel most comfortable sharing your home with. Some key questions to ask yourself include:
- Male or Female?: Do you have a preference for the gender of your lodger? For example, some homeowners may feel more comfortable with a female lodger, especially if they’re also female and live alone.
- Smoker or Non-Smoker?: This is an important question. If you don’t smoke or don’t want smoke in your home, it’s crucial to make sure your lodger is a non-smoker. If they are a smoker, will you allow them to smoke outside, or will it be a completely smoke-free environment?
- Student or Professional?: Monday to Friday room rentals are popular among both students and professionals. A student may need more flexibility with study time or space, while a professional is likely to have a more fixed routine. Consider which option suits your household dynamic better. Also, a student may require a desk in their room for study purposes.
2. Access to the House: What Are the Boundaries?
Another critical aspect to consider is how much of your home the lodger will have access to. Clearly defining these boundaries beforehand helps avoid any misunderstandings later on.
- Lounge and Kitchen Access: Will your lodger be allowed to relax in your lounge or use the kitchen? Some homeowners prefer to limit access to just the bedroom and bathroom, while others are happy to allow full use of shared areas. Consider how much privacy you want for yourself during the week. But remember you will have your home to yourself over the weekend period.
- Parking Space: If you live in a suburban or rural area, your lodger might need parking. If you can provide a parking space, this is a major plus for someone driving into work or college each day.
- Transport Links: Think about the transport links available near your home. Are there bus stops, train stations, or easy routes to main roads that would make commuting simple for your lodger? Good transport links will make your room more attractive, especially to professionals who need quick access to Dublin, Limerick, Galway or Cork.
3. What Amenities Will You Provide?
Offering the right amenities can make your Monday to Friday rental more appealing. Consider what you’re willing to include in the rental package:
- Wi-Fi: Most lodgers will expect a reliable internet connection, especially if they need it for work or study.
- TV in the Bedroom: Will the room have its own TV, or will the lodger need to use a shared living room?
- Linen: Will you provide fresh bedding and towels, or will the lodger need to bring their own?
- Meals: Some homeowners offer breakfast or dinner as part of the rental, while others leave meal arrangements to the lodger. Think about whether you want to offer this option, and if so, how it will affect the rent. It’s worth noting that now days most work places and colleges have excellent canteen facilities so the Lodger may avail of these.
4. Setting the Right Rent
Choosing the right rent is one of the most important decisions. You want to be competitive, but also ensure you’re covering the costs of having someone in your home. Look at similar properties in your area to get an idea of pricing. Monday to Friday room rental tends to be cheaper than full-week rentals, but remember that lodgers are looking for convenience and quality as well as value.
Also, with the Irish Government’s Rent a Room Scheme, you can earn up to €14,000 per year tax-free. This is a huge incentive for homeowners to let out a spare room, as the additional income can help with mortgage repayments, home improvements, or even fund holidays. It’s important to keep this benefit in mind when calculating what to charge.
5. Uploading Quality Photos
Potential lodgers will generally look at photographs first then considering location and rent, so make sure your photos showcase your room in the best possible light. Here are some tips:
- Take photos in natural light: Bright, airy rooms are always more appealing, so open the curtains and let in as much light as possible.
- Highlight key features: Show off the best parts of the room, whether it’s a comfortable bed, plenty of storage space, or a great view.
- Include photos of shared areas: If your lodger will have access to the kitchen or living room, be sure to include these spaces in your photos.
6. Don’t Narrow Your Selection Too Much
While it’s essential to be clear about your preferences, don’t filter your criteria too severely, as this may narrow your pool of potential lodgers. For instance, being too specific on gender, age, or occupation can limit your options. Be open-minded but firm on your non-negotiables, such as smoking, pets, or noise levels.
Why Getdigs.ie is the Perfect Platform for Monday to Friday room rental
At Getdigs.co.uk, our website helps homeowners through every step of the process, from creating the perfect listing to finding the right lodger. Our platform is tailored specifically for Monday to Friday room rental, connecting homeowners with students and professionals who only need accommodation during the workweek. We make it easy to list your room, communicate with potential lodgers, and manage the entire process.
By using Getdigs.ie, you’ll have access to Ireland’s leading platform for weekday room rentals, helping you find the perfect lodger quickly and efficiently.
Conclusion
Finding the ideal lodger for your Monday to Friday room rental involves careful planning and thoughtful decision-making. By asking the right questions about your preferences, setting clear boundaries, and offering the right amenities, you’ll be well on your way to finding a lodger who fits seamlessly into your home. With Getdigs.co.uk as your partner, you can feel confident that you’ll attract the right tenant and make the most of your spare room while benefiting from the UKs Government’s Rent a Room Scheme.
To date www.getdigs.co.uk has had no negative feedback from Homeowners on the Lodgers they choose. Some of the positive feedback that we have received back from Homeowners are as follows:
- Lodger, what Lodger?
- One of the major concerns that prevents Homeowners taking in a Lodger is that the Lodger would be ‘in their face’ all the time. We have found that this truly is not the case. Firstly, www.getdigs.co.uk specializes in Fractional Renting, so the Homeowner may see the Lodger for the first time on Sunday or Monday evening and they leave Friday morning. This means the Homeowners has the house to themselves all weekend.
- Canteens in colleges and workplaces are now top class and in a lot of cases they are subsidized. This means the Homeowner does not have the burden of cooking a main meal for the Lodger. It is getdigs.co.uk experience that, in the majority of cases, the Lodger will have their main meal out and just grab coffee and toast in the morning and a sandwich in the evening.
- The rooms to rent on getdigs.co.uk are of a very high standard. In most cases a TV and Wifi is provided in the room. The Lodger can retire to their room in the evening to study or to watch their favourite Netflix shows!
- A big positive for the Homeowner of course is the financial gain. They can earn up to £7,500 per year Tax Free. That’s £625 per month, which in turn is close to £156 per week into your pocket. This certainly could be a massive boost whether to assist with mortgage payments or to fund that luxury holiday you always dreamed about!
- But on the flip side of all this, sometimes a Lodgers company is nice to have, getdigs.co.uk has had some great feedback from Homeowners who have such great experiences that the Homeowner / Lodger relationship has turned to true friendship!
So, if you are a Homeowner considering renting out a room in your home don’t be anxious about the experience. Remember, www.getdigs.co.uk has a great vetting process which means you only get the Lodger you want!