Frequently asked questions: Renting a room
How do I search for a room to rent?
Type your preferred location into the search box - this can be a town or a postcode. Click on search!
You can also create a profile on the site to express your interest in rooms for rent. Choose your preferred area, type of room and type of roommates. Owners will be able to view your profile and get in touch with you to let you know about their rooms. Don't worry – you don't have to give out any personal information – we will allocate you a special email address so that you can receive messages without compromising your privacy.
We don't let owners search for tenants unless they have a room listed on the website.
How do I refine my results?
Use the menu on the right-hand side of the results page to refine your search – you can choose things like the type of property you'd prefer to live in, the number of roommates you'd prefer, and the type of roommate (e.g student, professional).
Can I see the rooms on a map?
You certainly can! To view your search results on a map, click the tab on the right hand side of the search results page. This map is interactive – you can zoom in and out and click on properties to view them in more detail. You can also choose the Google 'street view' option to see what the area looks like in real life.
How do I find out more about a room?
Click on a room to view the full listing. Explore the tabs to see all the information from your potential roommate.
Some information is missing – what do I do?
If you've got a question that isn't covered by the room listing you can ask the roommate direct. Use the buttons on the right to email or phone them (not all listings will offer both options). Your potential roommate should get back to you as soon as they can with an answer.
How do I arrange a viewing?
Get in touch with the roommate to arrange a viewing. Remember, you might want to see the room at different times of the day and meet everyone already living there. It's a good idea to take along a friend for moral support!
How do I make an offer?
If you like a room, you can make an offer directly to your new roommates if they are the owners of the property, or if they are sub-letting the room. If they are not the owners and they don't have the power to agree a rental price, you will have to make your offer to the owner.
How much is the deposit?
The deposit when you're renting a room normally depends on the rental value of that room – the higher the rent, the higher the deposit. It's normal to pay 4-6 weeks rent as a deposit.
What happens to my deposit?
The owner must be registered with an authorised deposit protection scheme – this ensures that you'll get your deposit back at the end of your tenancy and if there are any disputes, you'll have access to a free service to resolve them. It is the responsibility of the landlord to make sure that the deposit protection requirements are met.
Who handles the contract?
The owner of the property will need to provide you with copies of the contract to sign – make sure you read them carefully before committing. When you are renting a room there are different types of contract – for example, you might just be responsible for your own room or you might be jointly responsible for the whole property. If someone moves out, will you have to cover their rent? Check the terms of the contract carefully!
I have a room to let – can I list it?
Yes – by registering with Bethemiddleman.com you'll have access to our full range of services. Browse the 'find a roommate' FAQs for more information.
