Advice for owners using rent a room scheme

K

kam2007

Guest
I'm thinking of renting out a room in my house under the rent a room scheme. Does anyone know where to get useful info about my obligations/rights and those of my tenant/lodger (I don't even know what to call them!)

Do I need to keep a rent book or a lease? I can only find info on landlords rights.

Thanks..
 
I used to rent out a room or two for a while - to get me over the tough times ! - I bought a receipt book in the local shop so gave one on receipt of deposit and each months rent. I offered to provide pps no to any one who wanted it some asked some didn't - some didn't even know they were entitled to tax relief until I told them.
I had a list of kinda house rules - rules isn't the name I wanted to put on it. It included things like just respecting each others working hrs/ space/cleaning up after yourself. Not being selfish in the house. I was very open to all my tenants/lodgers having guests but asked for notice as I would have provided myself.
With regard to notice periods if you want them out - I used to say 3 months probationary period for both, then a months notice from either to move.
You could writer this on the receipt. Not sure if there is a legal side to it but the above worked for me.
Good luck
 
Thanks..that sounds good. There isn't a legal minimum amount of notice that I have to give the tenant to move out if I am resident in the property is there?

I was looking at maybe giving them a rent book but it has all the advice for tenants of non-resident landlords so I think it would be quite misleading for my tenants.
 
Your under no obligation to provide a 'rent book' under the rent a room scheme. You are obligated to provide receipts for payments IF ASKED for same by the tenant.

Theres no rigid timeframe as regards legal notice - a bit of a grey area. However, my understanding is that 1 week is deemed reasonable.
 
Hi there,
have a look at http://www.prtb.ie/act.htm - there is some information regarding your role as a "landlord", look at licencees in private rented accomadation...

We have just stopped renting out room, to be honest we actually found it more of a hassle and not worth the money..
Have a look at gumtree.ie, there are short term lets here. We find this site great, if you want you can have someone rent for a week to a few months..
 
serotoninsid said:
In what way did you find it hassle pb? ...just curious as i'm renting out myself.
Click to expand...

I thought of renting out a room too, but when I really sat down and looked at the ins and outs of it all, I decided it might be more trouble than it's worth, given the small amount of money i would gain.
 
You don't have to register with the PRTB if you have a tenant under the 'Rent a Room Scheme'. Secondly, the 'Residential Tenancies Act' of 2004 does not apply in this instance.

However, you do need to show your income on your annual tax return (although your tax due will be zero if you earn less than €7620/annum).

If you have a good tenant, then it's really not much hassle at all.
 
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