Finding a lodger/roommate - what questions to ask

Phate

Phate

Phate

Caporegime
Joined
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Lisbon, Portugal
So in the next couple of weeks I'm going to have to find a roommate/lodger to share my place.

I've never done this before, but will interview/vet them to make sure I don't agree to a serial killer or similar in the house.

Have others done this? Do they have previous questions they've asked them? Any suggestions? (both the 'standard GD' answers and proper ones are welcome ;) )

Any advice appreciated. I've stuck an Ad up on spareroom.co.uk to see what the reception is like and going from there.

TIA
Jake
 
What they do for a job, what they do in their spare time - Will they be bringing people back to the house, if so what for / how many / what time of day?

Are they used to cleaning up after themselves?

How long do you want to stay for?

What is your reason for wanting to lodge rather than find your own place?

What experience do you have of house sharing?

Have you ever had any problems in paying your rent?



Make sure you get ID - Preferably a driving license so you can get a copy with their current address so you have something to go on just in case the worst happens. I also used to get pay slips so I could verify earnings....

Just a few - I've let rooms out to lodgers for a long time - I have a lodging / house share specific tenancy agreement template - If you want a copy I can email it over - Can be customised to your liking.
 
TommyV said:
I can only imagine murderers and psychopaths are out of the question, but did you state that specifically in your ad?
Click to expand...

Thats a valid point. I specified they must like cats and are willing to give him attention when he demands it. So that's gotta count for something?

BDEE said:
If you want a copy I can email it over - Can be customised to your liking.
Click to expand...

Great questions, thanks very much. I'll take you up on that offer, [email protected] :)

arknor said:
Are you a smoker?
Do you expect to be coming home from clubbing at 3am without bringing me back a kebab?
Click to expand...

I think the last one is a very valid point.
 
I've got a lodger at the moment but don't really need the cash, I'm doing it to help a mate out and he's actually great - if you're taking anyone in, make sure they're an OCD clean freak! :D Best to find someone through friends who will vouch for them if you can - I just don't like the idea of someone I don't really know sharing the place.

Don't do it unless you really need to because you'll find that small things and their odd habits can really start to grind on you. Also it can be annoying when they suddenly want to start bringing mates/partners back so set the ground rules!
 
Things that you may want to concider


- Do you smoke?

- Do you have long malting hair, if you do, do you know how to clean it out the bathroom and where ever it may fall (even if its in the fridge)

- Do you work normal hours, not late nights, then come in at 1-2am and still expect to be able to stay awake making noise whilst everyone is trying to sleep

- Do you do drugs?

- Will you contribute towards cleaning, and buying items needed for the house and not just use everyones product contributions and not replace them
 
I do drugs daily, I am a caffeine addict, like a lot of the population.

I am not applying for lodging vacancy. ;)
 
Thanks for the suggestions all. Going to note most of these down. For the letterbox I might just put one on the table in front of them and see how they react. I'll take notes.
 
Do you like bacon? Do you drink alcohol? What time will you be using the bathroom in the morning? Do you have a girl friend/boy friend, will you be planning on having them stay over, if so, how often? Will you be bringing any furniture, will you be bringing any kitchen utensils? Are you a clean person? would you rather pay for a cleaner or keep it clean yourself? Do you normally cook or order food? Will you be wanting to invite friends over for get together/party on the weekend?
 
I've had 4 lodgers over the past 5 years and only recently got stung trying to find my most recent one.

I made a post here (feel free to look it up) but from this experience I suggest you take a deposit before taking down the advert or stopping interviewing people.

On the topic of deposits it's useful to know that live in landlords are exempt from the Tenancy Deposit scheme, but you can choose to use one if you wish.

Also, remember that under the rent a room scheme (https://www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a-room-scheme) you're allowed to take up to £4,250 a year in rent, tax free.

With regards to questions I have a tendency to wing it based on their interests and hobbies. It's likely you keep a lot of the above in mind though as it's unlike someone will say "Oh yeah, I take drugs and am out until 5am every night partying" but might come out in conversation if you talk about where they like to go out or if they have a favorite band.

I find the more friendly the approach the more open they are and the "worse off" they sound.

I've also found for all my previous and current lodger that you'll find one you just "click" with. I've cancelled interviews after a meeting with two of my lodgers as I was sold there and then and didn't want them finding somewhere else.

Worth getting a tenancy agreement written up (or found for free online) and a room checklist. Be clear with the payment schedule when it comes to nailing things down so there's no surprises for them and ultimately disappointment for you.

Good luck!
 
don't make assumptions - by this i mean let them know if they are expected to buy household cleaning products, loo roll etc or if you are going to include stuff like that in what you charge them.
living with someone who is more messy than you is stressful. having them leave dirty dishes in the sink for days will wind you up (provided you aren't worse :D)
living with someone who is more tidy than you is great!
find out if they have a girlfriend/boyfriend and be VERY clear on what you consider reasonable with regards to them having that person stay over. being the spare wheel in your own house is not a pleasant position to be in.
Even if they are single, let them know if they get a partner what you consider acceptable.

things like this all sound a bit anal/OTT, until you've lived ina shared house with someone who took the p*** and you wish the ground rules were already in place.

find out their working patterns, if similar to yours, great. shift work can be problematic. do you want to be creeping quietly round your house all day on a saturday because they were working friday night?

oh, the thought of sharing with a hot girl is great. the reality might be very different! i've found lads on the whole much more easy going and less likely to be a problem housemate.
 
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