Deciding whether to rent out a room or not is a tough decision because it carries the same landlord responsibilities as renting out an entire property. Whether you’re exploring your options or ready to post your listing, knowing how to list a room for rent makes the process go seamlessly.
Key Takeaways
- Apartments.com supports rooms for rent, making it easier for landlords to list individual rooms within shared spaces.
- Furnished rooms can command higher rent, while unfurnished ones offer tenants more flexibility. Competitive pricing and detailed listings (photos, videos, and 3D tours) help attract renters.
- Renting out a room carries full landlord responsibilities, including compliance with Fair Housing laws, proper lease agreements, renter screening, and managing shared spaces with clear house rules.
Familiarize Yourself with Landlord-Tenant Laws
Landlord-tenant laws apply to rooms for rent so you should be just as knowledgeable on them as a landlord renting out an entire property.
Consider the Fair Housing Act
To avoid discriminatory behavior, refer to the Fair Housing Act, which protects individuals against housing discrimination based on protected categories like race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, and familial status.
Also, be mindful that you cannot discriminate against renters who have a service animal. Even if pets aren’t allowed, service animals are legally not considered pets and are exempt from pet policies and fees. Research the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) for more information about service animals.
Since renting out a room is quite personal, those who do so may be exempt from some fair housing laws. However, certain parts and state and local laws may still apply. Consult a real estate attorney to ensure you’re complying with all requirements.
Choose Short-Term or Long-Term Renting
Your decision making isn’t done after you determine if you want to rent out a room in your house. Next is choosing between short-term and long-term renters. Each type provides landlords with different experiences. Depending on your lifestyle and goals, you may prefer to attract one over the other.
Short-term renters may have a high turnover rate, but it allows you to adjust rent prices and lease terms more frequently. On the other hand, long-term renters offer a stable source of income, and you won’t have to find new renters as often. Remember that you’re locked into the lease for the entire duration and it can be harder to end the tenancy if issues arise, like clashing personalities.
Prepare the Spare Room
Before you can list your room for rent, you need to get it “move-in ready.” This means that the room is ready for the renter to live in, regardless of their actual move-in date. Make sure to declutter, dust, clean the room thoroughly, and empty the closet. Check essentials as well, like the walls, outlets, and windows to see if anything needs repairs.
You can decide whether to offer a furnished or unfurnished room, depending on your goals and what works for you. Furnished rooms are popular among renters because they don’t have to bring their own furniture. Plus, you can charge more rent for a furnished space. However, unfurnished rooms let renters add a personal touch.
Set a Competitive Rent Price: How Much Rent Should I Charge for a Room?
As the landlord, you decide how much to charge for rent. But keep in mind tenants may seek out more affordable units that offer better amenities. Since you are only renting out a room, review similar local listings to help you determine a fair rental price for your area. You can also work directly with a prospective tenant to set a rental payment that is reasonable for them and profitable for you.
Advertise your Room for Rent
After preparing the room, you can start advertising your room for rent to potential renters. Write a strong property description and listing headline to get renters to contact you. Use high-quality pictures, videos, and 3D tours to showcase the beauty of the room and the entire home. You can list your room for rent on various platforms, including Apartments.com.
How to List Your Room for Rent on Apartments.com
Apartments.com now allows rooms for rent to support landlords of all types of properties. It’s easy to do, whether you’re already familiar with how to list a rental on Apartments.com or are a newcomer.
On the home page, hit “Quick Actions” to get the dropdown menu where you can select “Add a New Property.” Or from the Properties page, hit the button that says, “Add a Property.”
Now, you’ll be on the “Add Your Property” page. Select your property type, then check the box that says, “This property includes individual rooms for rent with a shared living space.” After that, you’ll fill in the address and details like you do with any other listing.
Editing properties to be rooms for rent
Don’t worry if you forget to check the room-for-rent box. You can edit a listing to fix it. Simply go into the “Edit Listing” page. Under “Building Information,” select “Edit Section.” On this page, the check box for rooms for rent will appear, so you can fill it in and change the listing.
Create a Lease Agreement
Whether you have one or several spare rooms to rent out, write a lease agreement before you start reviewing applications. The legal document should cover all the essential rules and regulations you and your tenant(s) must adhere to for the contract duration. With Apartments.com, you can easily create a lease that fits your property and your standards.
Screen Potential Renters
Once people have applied to your listing, you should screen them. Conduct a credit report and background check in addition to reviewing the submitted application, as the results can help to inform your decision-making. Apartments.com makes it easy to screen tenants, get the information you need, and find a qualified renter fast.
Sign the Lease and Finalize Details
After you’ve found the tenant you want to rent to, it’s time to go through the lease signing process. Send the lease you created to the tenant for review and for them to sign. Your signature will be the final step to the binding agreement, so make sure to go over the document again and double-check all information.
Once your renter moves in, your role shifts to property management. You’ll need to:
- Collect rent
- Conduct maintenance
- Track your finances
- Keep key landlord documents and records
Tips for Renting Out Your Room
Though you may be renting out a smaller space, renting out a room comes with a unique set of considerations. The living situation is different compared to a typical rental as you are also living in the home. To keep you and your renter happy, try these tips on renting out a room.
Create house rules
Having a set of house rules ensures that your renter knows exactly what they and you are responsible for. This can include quiet hours, cleanliness, shared spaces, guest policy, and anything else that will facilitate a smooth-sailing tenancy. These rules should be included in the lease so that everyone is held accountable.
Establish proper usage of shared spaces
When renting out a room, you’re going to have to share common spaces with your renter like laundry, the kitchen, the living room, and possibly even a bathroom. To ensure these spaces are taken care of and respected, it is important to outline their proper usage and what spaces are off limits.
Don’t forget to talk about parking as well. Put the rules in writing and make sure there’s enough space for cars to move in and out easily. Talking through parking expectations upfront prevents confusion and keeps the driveway clear.
Set a guest policy
Since you will be sharing the space with your renter, it is even more important to create a clear and fair guest policy. You’ll want to give your renter the freedom to invite guests while also maintaining your own privacy and space. Outline how long visitors can stay to prevent long-term guests and consider setting a cap on how many people your renter can have over.
Outline the access rules
Your renter has a legal right to privacy in their room, meaning that you cannot enter without proper notice, the renter’s consent, or in emergency situations. Check local and state laws as these often stipulate entrance rules and notice periods.
FAQs
What can I do to protect myself when renting out a room?
The best way to protect your property is to get insurance. Aside from homeowners and landlord insurance, additional insurance is available to cover you in a problematic situation. You should also require your tenant to get renters insurance to cover their personal belongings.
Does income from a room for rent still need to be reported?
Yes, rental income from a room for rent still needs to be reported as taxable income. You can manually calculate your rental income but the easier way is using the Rental Income and Expense Tracker on Apartments.com.
Does Apartments.com charge a fee for rentals?
You do not have to pay to list your rental on Apartments.com with the basic listing option. You can upgrade to premium to enjoy additional visibility and features.
