How to find a compatible flatmate checklist

Checklists

How to find a compatible flatmate

Checklist provided by 

www.propertychecklists.co.uk

 
 

Your flatmates can make or break your home life, so it’s important to search for somebody compatible. Here's a checklist to help you compile an ad which will help you get the best person to flatshare with.

Write a bio of you and any current tenants. Here are some examples of what you could include:

  • Your profession
  • How long you’ve lived in the area
  • What you like to do at the weekend
  • A regular hobby
  • Your favourite film

Pricing accurately and fairly is key. People can easily see online if a property is unreasonably priced:

  • Compare other ads for similar types of properties and rooms in the same area/postcode and get an idea of the average price
  • Work out the difference between including and not including bills
  • Make your price competitive; it’s better to have someone paying £25 less a month than pricing high and having the room sitting empty
  Introduce yourself by name as this adds a personal touch and makes people much more likely to enquire.

 

 

Outline what's great about the room eg current tenants, location, amenities etc. Be specific: don’t ramble, people tend to skim-read online, so keep them interested

 

Photographs are vital to make your listing stand out from the rest. Here are the key points to remember:

  • Tidy up and clean
  • Use a high-quality camera or smartphone
  • Aim for 4-5 photos that show off the room
  • Take pictures of shared spaces
  • Take photos in natural daylight
 

Give your ad an appealing title, for example ‘Spacious room to rent in central location’

Be pro-active. As well as advertising for a flatmate, check out and respond to listings from people searching for a room.

Screen potential tenants using a comprehensive tenant referencing service to give yourself peace of mind. In England, you will also need to check they are legally allowed to rent in the UK.

Before proceeding will need approval from your mortgage lender and home insurer, or your landlord, if applicable.

You have fewer obligations when taking in a lodger than a landlord letting to a tenant but it is still a good idea to draw up a licence agreement for your lodger to sign.

 


All our information is brought to you by Kate Faulkner OBE, author of Which? Property books and one of the UK's top property experts.
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