Renting out your room
Have you got a spare room? Roomie moving out? Roomies is a free and simple way of turning that empty room into cash and find some great people to live with at the same time. Here is our guide and tips to help you rent your room.
1. Create your free listing
Trying to rent out a room without a detailed listing seriously jeopardizes your chances of finding a great roommate quickly. Creating listing is simple and make sure you include information about both the property and the current roommate(s). The more information you include, the better chance you have of attracting higher quality applicants that are suited to your home.
Tip: Make sure you include some photos on your listing. Photos on average increase the response rate by ~132%. It’s easy to add photos from your mobile phone or computer. The most important photos are those of the room, the bathroom, the kitchen and the living area. It's also good to include photos of any special features.
Before your listing goes live, you need to verify your mobile number. This helps us keep the community safe and will also allow you to access other users' mobile number and social media profiles.
To help prevent spam and scam phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles and links to other websites are not allowed in listings. However, you are welcome to send these in private messages through our messaging system.
2. Be proactive
Unlike most roommate websites, Roomies has thousands of room wanted listings which you can search, browse and contact. This can save you time by targeting the roommates that are the best matches for your home instead of sorting through stacks of inquiries. You can initiate conversations from the listing through our secure messaging system, and we include a link to your listing.
You can get started by looking for roomies near you.
3. Don't miss your latest matches
So you don't miss out on the best new roommates Roomies sends you email alerts when new members join the site which could be suitable for you. Alerts can be adjusted or turned off in account settings.
We also provide you with a list of potential matches on your dashboard.
4. Communication
Communicating on Roomies is free. We strongly recommend using our secure messaging system which protects your privacy and keeps all your inquiries in one place. It also allows you to communicate without revealing your personal contact details upfront, you can do this later when comfortable with the members you are chatting with.
Tip: The messaging system will also show you if your messages have been successfully delivered and if the other members have read them. We send SMS alerts to let members know when they receive a new message.
To communicate with other members, you need to verify your mobile phone if you have not done this already you can click the link on your dashboard.
Tip: Where available mobile numbers can be accessed by verified members on listings and from the messaging system. If you want to keep your number private you can do this when you verify or in account settings.
As long as you comply with our community charter, you can send any information you wish through the messaging system. This includes information which is not allowed in listings such as phone numbers, email addresses, social media handles and links to other websites.
5. Organize a viewing
Choosing a roommate that fits your household is critical, and the only way of doing this properly is to meet the potential roommates at the property for a viewing. Make sure as many of the current roomies are available as it is important to test the compatibility with everyone.
Tip: Save your best 3 candidates after qualifying them online. Then organize viewings with all 3 within a day or two. This means you are not wasting time organizing viewings with unsuitable candidates. By limiting views to a smaller number, you will spend more time with each one, learning and remembering more so you can choose a better roomie.
6. Come to an agreement
If you have found the right person for your room, then it is very important to agree on all the details such as deposit, rent, move in date, bills, house rules, length of stay etc etc. Roomies strongly advises getting this in writing (even if it is just an email) so there are no misunderstandings later. Roomies provides a free link: Roommate Agreement.
7. Moving in
Make sure you arrange a time for your new roommate to come and collect the keys and let them know if there are any parking restrictions, loading bays or building rules which might affect their move in.
Tip: Roommates may take a few hours, days or weeks to feel at home in their new place so make sure you socialize in those early days and take the time to get to know each other. It can make a huge difference in the long run making sure everyone is comfortable living together.