We know you can’t always be in front of the computer looking for a room, and that the best rooms often get snapped up within 24hrs of being advertised. EasyRoommate’s new app gives you the opportunity stay ahead of the curve and search for accommodation on the go with detailed listings, maps, and options to phone or email the advertiser there and then. Other handy features of the app include integrated GPS, flatmate lists, a picture slideshow, and the option to add the flatshare you like to your favourites list.

Download the EasyRoommate Iphone app for FREE, and if you’re not an iPhone user, EasyRoommate also has a great mobile site for smart phone users.

Zoopla users will also have access to 50,000 potential flatmates who are registered with EasyRoommate, and for those who use the Zoopla website, they’re now able to register with EasyRoommate for free and look for rooms to rent in a flat or house share.

• Renting out a spare room can generate £4,392 a year
• Taking room rental income into account would allow the average first-time buyer to borrow £11,000 more
• 89% of would-be buyers polled support the introduction of Flatmate Mortgages

Banks and building societies are being urged to consider the income borrowers can generate from renting a room out when they calculate how much they will lend.

With the rent from a typical spare room worth £365 a month (with bills on top), the extra income would make a significant difference to how much a first-time buyer could borrow if lenders took it into account. Campaigners say that typically, it could increase the amount people can borrow safely and prudently by 20%.

Flatshare website, easyroommate.co.uk, which is spearheading the campaign, says that without Flatmate Mortgages, nearly a quarter of would-be buyers believe buying a property is impossible, whilst almost a third believe they will have to buy with someone else in order to afford to get on the housing ladder . And 89% of would be first-time buyers polled by http://www.easyroommate.co.uk/ wanted Flatmate Mortgages to be introduced. 351,000 first-timers have been frozen out of the housing market in the last two years because they could not borrow enough . Flatmate Mortgages would have helped many of them.

Average house prices are now 4.9 times the average income. A year ago, it was only 4.3 times . 28% of those polled say they must continue to save every penny to build a deposit.

Property websites

Ipswich Rooms To Let: For quality double and single rooms to let in Ipswich

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Under: Property Brentford

Services for landlords

Helping residential landlords and tenants solve their problems

landlord mortgages for all types of UK property from homes-for-rent-uk.org.uk

Lodger Landlord Website

Practical websites
RealEstateDirectory.co.uk – Real Estate Directory and Real Estate Resources
World Wide Web Site
House Sitters
Stop By


BEPN Free Web Directory
East Kent Directory
UK Directory
In Kent Info
SEO
Add Url
Global Link Networks
LeekOnline
Newcastle upon Tyne Directory

UK Real Estate Directory Market, United Kingdom Real Estate Resource

UK travel and heritage guide

DoWeb the Online Business & Information Service

NewRoommate: Free Search for Roommate and Flatmate, share your roommate experiences, and Tips!

RealEstateDirectoryUK.com: The integrates United Kingdom real estate websites help you find listing site and more.

martin2k Web Directory – Visit the martin2k Web Directory for a wide variety of quality websites.

Easy Expat: Guide for expatriates, Expatriation

http://www.tribeassociates.com/: Tribe Associates Ltd – Professionals on the Move – Internationally

Tenancy agreements for both people with lodgers in their home and for live out landlords are available FREE to all EasyRoommate members. If you are a member and don’t have a copy please email frank@easyroommate.com

Q. Which agreement should I use?

A. If you are renting out a room in your own home, you should use the lodger agreement. If you are renting out a room in a shared house which you do not live in (where everyone in the house has their own agreement for their own room and shared use of the rest of the property), you should use the AST agreement.

NB If you are renting a whole house or flat to a number of sharers who will all sign the same tenancy agreement, then neither of these agreements should be used, and you should use an ordinary AST agreement. You will find many of these in the shops, or online, for example at www.landlordlaw.co.uk.

Q. What is the difference between the two agreements

A. The AST is where someone has an assured shorthold tenancy of their own room. This means that you as the landlord are bound by all the landlords obligations such as the statutory repairing covenants, the need to register any deposit with one of the government authorised tenancy deposit schemes, and you cannot evict the tenant unless you serve the proper notice and then obtain a court order for possession.

On the other hand the lodger agreement is not an AST. It is what lawyers call a ‘license agreement’. The reason for this is that you, the landlord, are letting out a room in your own home, and the lodger does not have ‘exclusive occupation’. Much of the legislation which applies to ASTs will therefore not apply to this agreement. For example you do not have to protect the deposit (if you take one) in a scheme, and, provided you share some living accommodation with the lodger, you will not have to get a court order for possession.

Q. Can I use the lodger agreement if I do not share any living accommodation with the occupier?

A. The significance of sharing living accommodation with the occupier is that he does not acquire a tenancy, and all the legal rights and obligations which go with tenancies. Living accommodation means things like kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms. Corridors and halls do not count.

If you live in the same building but do not share any living accommodation, it is really important that you provide at least one service (preferably cleaning and/or providing clean sheets where you will go into the room regularly), as this will prevent the occupier from acquiring a tenancy. However even if the agreement is not a tenancy (for example because you provide breakfast and regular cleaning), if you do not share any living accommodation you will need to get a court order, if the occupier refuses to leave.

You can use the lodger agreement for both these situations.

Note however that if the occupier has a completely self contained room, and does not share any living accommodation with you, and you do not provide any services, this will automatically be a tenancy. Getting the occupier to sign the lodger agreement will not change this. The tenancy will be a ‘common law’ tenancy with a resident landlord. We do not have any suitable agreements on this site, but you can obtain one from www.landlordlaw.co.uk.

Q. Should the occupiers room have a lock on the door?

A. If you do not live in the property and are using the AST agreement, yes there should be a lock on the door.

However if you are using the lodger agreement to rent out a room in your own home, it should not have a lock (or if it does, you must have a key). This is because you need to retain control over the room, and be able to enter it if need be to do any maintenance, cleaning or anything else that is needed (e.g. changing light bulbs, cleaning windows etc). This is important (1) because it is your home and you need to be able to carry out any maintenance work in the room when needed, and (2) because it will prevent the occupation from turning into a tenancy.

Q. Can I incorporate some ‘house rules’ into the agreement?

A. These agreements are drafted to as to be suitable for many different landlords and properties. If you have some particular arrangements at your property, it is often a good idea to include these in separate ‘house rules’. For example, arrangements for the use of the bathroom, shared cleaning responsibilities (if cleaning is not provided), use of the land line telephone, etc.

You should discuss these with your lodger or tenant first, and then write them on a separate sheet, headed ‘House Rules’ giving the address of the property. Then on the agreements, write at the bottom of the first page ‘See also the attached house rules’. Both you and the lodger/tenant should initial and date this wording.

Have two copies (one for you and one for the lodger/tenant). You should both sign and date them at the same time as the lodger or tenancy agreement is signed. The House Rules should then be attached to the agreement and kept with it.

Filling in the forms

Generally do any reference checking before you let the occupier into occupation, and also ensure that all cheques have cleared. In general when filling in the forms you should be careful and not allow yourself to be rushed, as it is a legal document . Write clearly and make sure that all spellings are correct.

You will need two copies, one for you and one for the tenant or lodger. If you are attaching anything (such as an inventory), make sure you have two copies of this also, one for each agreement.

When signing the agreements, they do not have to be witnessed (although it is always a good idea) unless you are using the AST and it is being signed up before the tenant moves in. A witness should be someone independent. For example you cannot witness the tenants signature yourself.

When the forms have been signed, you need to have one signed by the occupier and the occupier needs to have one signed by you. But there is no reason why you should not both sign both of them.

The License/Lodger form.

This is for when you let out a room in your own home.

Date: Date the agreement after it has been signed, ideally on the day the lodger moves in.

Property: This is the postal address.

Room: So far as the room is concerned, if you think you may want the lodger to move to another room some time, it is best to leave the wording as it is, so the agreement will still apply if the lodger changes rooms. However if you know that the lodger will only ever have one particular room, you can write this in here (e.g. back bedroom on the first floor).

Owner: This is you, the landlord. Put your full name (e.g. Mrs Angela Smith)

Lodger or licensee: Again put the whole name (e.g. Mr John Brown)

Period: Put the dates the lodger is to live in the property, and cross out as appropriate in the paragraph below. Note that the agreement provides for either party to end the agreement early on giving one months written notice, and to roll on after the end of the period, unless either of you give notice that you want it to end.

Services: Cross out the ones you are not going to apply. It is a good idea to provide at least one, for example clean sheets.

Payment: Complete this as appropriate. If payment is not going to be made by standing order, it is a good idea to keep a record of the agreed payment method. You can write this here if you wish.

Deposit: You do not have to take a deposit, but it is often a good idea. As this is not an AST, it does not have to be protected with a tenancy deposit scheme.

Inventory: If you decide to do an inventory, this should be signed by the lodger as agreed and then a copy

The Assured Shorthold tenancy agreement

Date: Date the agreement after it has been signed, ideally on the day the lodger moves in.

Property: This is the postal address of the property.

The Room: It is best to give the rooms numbers or names, otherwise say where the room is (e.g. front first floor bedroom)

Landlord: This is you. Put your full name (e.g. Mrs Angela Smith).

You also need to put your address here. Note that you need to give an address in England or Wales, so if you are based in Scotland or overseas, you will need to put a contact address here as well as your own. If a contact address in England and Wales is not provided, technically rent is not payable by the tenant until one is given (this is under section 48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987).

Tenant: Again put the whole name (e.g. Mr John Brown)

The terms: Be careful about giving a long term to a new tenant, as you will find it difficult to evict unsatisfactory tenants during the fixed term. It is best not to make it longer than six months unless it is someone you know really well and trust.

The rent: Note that if the monthly rent is more than £2,083.33 (unlikely for the rent of a room!) you will not be able to use this form of agreement as the tenancy will not be an AST. It you agree with the tenant some payment method other than standing order, make sure you keep a record of this. Note that if the tenant pays rent weekly, you will need to give them a rent book.

The Deposit: This is normally equivalent to one months rent. It must not be more than two months rent. You must protect the deposit with one of the government approved tenancy deposit protection schemes.

The Inventory: This is a good idea. Make sure you check it over with the tenant and that it is signed by both of you as agreed. A copy should be attached to both copies of the tenancy agreement. Note that if you do not have a proper inventory you will find it very difficult to claim any money from the deposit, if your deductions are challenged by the tenant and go to arbitration.

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That’s it! However it is recommended that you do some reading about your responsibilities as landlord. You will find some preliminary guidance here: Landlord Responsibilities – www.landlordlaw.co.uk

Have a look at
http://www.pickrent.com/stuff/scamquiz.cfm

Each ad posted on EasyRoommate is checked by our moderators. However, even if an ad may seem honest and correct, the scam can be revealed after a few emails received. If you have any doubt on an ad on www.easyroommate.co.uk please use our Flag tool to report it!

Also, you can read in our Safety Online topic ”7 points to online protection” to be aware of the main tips to avoid scammers!

She wanted to move to another flatshare that was more spacious and closer to work.

• How long have you been living in the UK? It’s been 5 years I live in London now. I work in the same restaurant since the beginning, I’m now a manager!
• Why did you come and live here? I’m from Marseilles, so I’m definitely a city person! I wanted to improve my english level and discover new experiences and new trends here in London!
• Why did you choose the flatshare option for your accommodation? When I came in UK I didn’t know anyone. I think flatsharing was a good option to be aware of the british way of life, to meet native speakers and make some good friends! In addition to that, London is a quite expensive city, it was a good means to save money!
• According to your previous experiences, which advice would you give to someone who wants to start flatsharing? First, don’t be afraid of living with people from other countries if you don’t speak their language: it will be a perfect start to speak english everyday! Second, try to have a strict organisation with your flatmates to pay the bills and common spendings! Then, never take the initiative to bleach your laundry when your flatmate’s favourite dress still remains into the washing machine…
• Where did you find all the tips to live in England?
  I visited a website called expat-etudiant.fr. I found very interesting tips about the way of life, but also flatsharing, jobs, and many useful general information!

Video: Flat hunting by Daisy Steiner (Jessica Hynes) in Spaced, british comedy.

What are you looking for? from Easyroommate on Vimeo.