Latest news with #SpareRoom
CBS News
01-06-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Speed roommating helping Bay Area renters find the perfect match amid high costs
Move over, speed dating, speed roommating is taking center stage in the Bay Area housing scene. The in-person events, hosted by roommate-matching service SpareRoom, are helping renters like Priyanka Shatty connect with compatible housemates in an increasingly unaffordable market. "I've been here in the Bay Area for five years now, and I'm looking to move to the city," Shatty said at a recent gathering in the Mission District. "I thought it would be a great opportunity to find a roommate here. The rent is, like, obnoxious to live alone." She's not exaggerating. According to SpareRoom, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco is around $3,000 a month — a price tag that's prompting more residents to consider splitting costs. But rather than signing a lease with a stranger, speed roommating allows people to meet face-to-face in a social setting to find a safe, compatible match. "Priority should be your safety and mental sanity, right? That is very important," Shatty said. "And if that can be conducive with other people? Then yeah, why not?" Participants at the events jot down budgets, neighborhood preferences and hobbies, hoping to find someone who matches not just on logistics, but lifestyle. Rupert Hunt, founder and CEO of SpareRoom, said the gatherings can help people avoid the all-too-common roommate mismatch. "The trouble is, occasionally you maybe spend an hour or two going to a viewing, and then you might know within moments that you won't get along with the person," Hunt said. "So this is a more immediate version of SpareRoom, where you meet the people you're going to live with. And you know it's the people that are going to make or break the experience, not the size of the room or the power of the shower." In a city where the cost of living continues to soar, the events are being seen not just as a practical solution, but as a potential financial lifesaver. "If you could save a thousand dollars by splitting it with somebody and have a decent living situation — why not?" Shatty said. "It's a win-win, right?" Because in the Bay Area, finding the right roommate might just be the real happily-ever-after.
Pembrokeshire Herald
16-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Sir Michael Moritz tops Welsh Rich List as Sunday Times reveals UK's wealthiest in 2025
Renting somewhere long-term means doing all you can to find the right place and avoid getting a UK landlord eviction form. In this post, we'll show you the ten steps you must follow to secure a long-lasting let that suits all your needs. 1. Set a budget With an ongoing cost of living crisis, you need to be sure that you can keep up with rent. Ideally, you won't spend more than 30% of your income on rent – but this rule is slowly becoming nearly impossible to follow. Plan out how much you can spend on rent while still comfortably making ends meet. You cannot go beyond the amount you set, even for a place you really love – your stability has to come first. 2. Identify must-haves You'll likely already know plenty of non-negotiables for your next place. The particulars here are all up to you, but higher-budget places will always have more to offer. Here are some common renter must-haves: Proximity to schools Nearby parking Allowed to own a pet In-unit washer/dryer Low local crime rate Ample outdoor space Lacking any of these could be enough to turn you away from otherwise great homes. If you own a pet, for example, you need a pet-friendly place. However, you should still ask yourself if your list of non-negotiables is suitable for your budget. 3. Check listings Look at properties on many sites, including Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom. The home for you might be on just one platform; you can't afford to limit your search just to one site. When checking listings, always compare their prices and get a vague idea of the market rate – this will help you identify places with outrageously high rent. 4. Prepare a rental application Once you find the perfect place, it's time to send in an application. These are typically available on the listing, but you may have to use your own. Look online for an affordable rental application template – this will already include everything you need. Any UK-ready rental application you fill in and submit should include: Your personal information Your rental history Your employment history References (personal, professional, and landlord) Permission to carry out a background check 5. View the property You should always inspect a potential new home before signing anything – ideally, you'll be able to view it before you even send in your application. If you spot any damages, bring this up to the landlord or letting agent. You must visit rooms that weren't on the listing's photos; the agency might be trying to hide something. 6. Check the agreement Assuming all goes well, the landlord will give you a tenancy agreement. However, you must look it over first to ensure it's fair. These agreements must have the following: Names of all parties The rental amount The rent's due date The tenancy's start/end dates Tenant and landlord obligations Repair procedures Deposit protection scheme details If you previously discussed any extra clauses with the landlord, check they're in the lease – don't leave anything to a verbal agreement. 7. Conduct a move-in inspection Once you sign the lease and move in, inspect the property in full, even if you already attended a viewing. Take photos of anything that's off, or the landlord might accuse you of being the culprit. Your landlord may carry out the inspection with you – and possibly provide their own checklist of every appliance and fixture. 8. Change your address Before you settle in, you have to go through the hassle of updating your address everywhere, or you won't get your post. You need to tell HMRC about your new address, as this will likely affect your tax. You must also inform the DVLA and re-register to vote. 9. Follow the lease With your tenancy now in effect, all that's left to do is follow the lease's rules and make sure you stay on your landlord's good side. Here's what you'll need to do: Pay your rent on time Explain any late payments Report maintenance issues Keep noise to a minimum Make sure guests follow the rules Don't secretly get a pet Keep the property in good condition 10. Renewing or moving out As the lease draws to a close, you'll need to decide whether to renew it or move out. You should talk to your landlord about this at least a few months before the lease ends – this will give you time to negotiate and them time to find a replacement if necessary. If you're moving out, make sure you have enough time to conduct a move-out inspection before you go, preferably with the landlord present. Final thoughts How you conduct yourself throughout the rental process massively affects your chance of getting a great property. By following the steps above, you'll stand out as a model tenant and find a home that fits your needs.
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- General
- Daily Mirror
Man faced online racism trying to find place to rent - this is what he had to do
A rent seeker posted the discrimination he faced when looking for a place to stay on the online renting wesbite SpareRoom and shared his disbelief with thousands of users online on X A tweet on X went viral after a Black man posted his experience contacting a landlord about an advertisement for a room on the SpareRoom website, revealing the racism ethnic minorities face from online renting websites. The tweet, which garnered over 750,000 views, included two images: the first showed the man inquiring if the room was still available, to which the landlord responded negatively. The second image depicted the same individual, but with his display picture changed to that of a white man, asking the landlord the same question. This time, the landlord responded affirmatively. Izuchukwu Egbuiba, 27, spoke to The Mirror about his experience. X users responded with outrage and disbelief, many sharing their own experiences of discrimination when searching for rental properties online. Izuchukwu, who began using SpareRoom in July 2023, tweeted about his experience with the platform. The Mirror spoke to the 27-year-old about the situation, he explained: 'I've rented out two apartments from SpareRoom in the past, but it's not been easy. I have to continually search for months and it's been really difficult. 'Sometimes, you subscribe to the premium service, but even after a month, you still haven't found anything. So, you end up settling for more expensive options or less desirable accommodations because they're willing to accept you,' he added. SpareRoom wasn't Izuchukwu's only option when looking for a place to rent. 'I'm a single person, and for me with sites like Rightmove it feels like it's mainly for people looking to live in a house. So I use SpareRoom mainly because it's kind of easier to get shared apartment majority,' he said. Regarding the viral incident on X, Izuchukwu explained: "I've received several rejections similar to this. When you see a house posted recently, and then the landlord tells you it's taken, but I've not gone to the extent I did with this particular landlord. I thought, let me give it a try because not all houses can be taken.' "I went back to my original account and asked him, Is this room still available and to this day got no response. When I went back to the fake account I created to ask him the same question he responded immediately,' he said. When asked if lanlords can justify not being honest with renters the 27-year-old said: "Some suggest the landlord may have had previous issues with Black tenants, but we can't justify that. It implies any landlord could be racist by using that excuse.' Despite reporting the incident to the police and alerting SpareRoom, Izuchukwu remains skeptical about change. 'It's going to get worse with the current immigration crisis,' he said. 'The government plays a role by pushing negative narratives that blame immigrants for things, leading to questions such as about our ability to pay rent, if there's a change, it has to start from the top as well,' he ended. SpareRoom is the UK's leading flat-sharing platform, with more than 10 million registered users. Renters can sign up, search for available flats, contact landlords directly, and attend viewings. Launched in 2004, it has facilitated countless connections between renters and landlords. The Mirror reached out to SpareRoom for comment and Matt Hutchinson, Director at flatshare site SpareRoom, said: 'It's illegal for anyone renting property in any form to discriminate based on race or nationality and we take a zero-tolerance approach. We will always take action to close the accounts of anyone who breaks the law and prevent them from ever returning to our platform." 'We ask users to report behaviour like this, which is really easy to do through our platform. Although racist language is flagged by our systems which scan messages for certain language, it's much harder for those systems to detect discrimination when it's not overt. User reporting helps us gather information so we can ban offenders who discriminate in less easily detectable ways," he continued. Under the Equality Act 2010, discrimination based on race, religion, or disability in housing is prohibited. This includes right-to-rent checks carried out by landlords or letting agents in England to ensure potential tenants can legally reside in the UK. The Renters (Right to Rent) bill also prohibits discrimination, and that renters in the private sector are entitled to a decent home and should be considered on an individual basis. The Race Equality Foundation, a national charity addressing racism in housing, education, and healthcare since 1995, has been actively involved in this issue. Jabeer Butt OBE, chief executive of the charity, commented: 'This practice has unfortunately been going on for at least the last 40 years, if not longer. Despite seeing it revealed on social media, it's been demonstrated time and again over the years' he said. 'Since 2010, there have been specific things that have been done that have perhaps made the situation worse. In particular, one of the immigration acts introduced controls on who was allowed to rent, and effectively made private landlords immigration officers," he said. 'So, they had to check the immigration status of those people applying to rent their properties and what was discovered is that what landlords did to avoid having to go through that rigmarole was to on the basis of your name, then decide whether or not they would even offer you an opportunity to view the property,' he continued. 'It's an illegal practice and it contradicts the Equality Act. This act applies equally to landlords and online platforms. But the issue is an enforcement which is difficult to do. Unless somebody is willing to make a complaint and follow it through, enforcement remains a significant challenge," he added. On the housing market and the increase of homes Jabeer said: "More people will end up living in the private rented sector because they can't afford to buy. Social housing is in short supply, so private renting is the only solution for many, especially young people.' On the effectiveness of the Equality Act of 2010 Jabeer said: 'We advocated for changes to the equality legislation because we believe it hasn't worked as intended. Without a system of enforcement, the laws won't make a difference.' One whether there is hope for online renting spaces, he added: 'Young people in the private rented sector are making it clear they won't tolerate discriminatory practices. I suspect over time as private renting becomes the experience of more and more people that it will challenge the way the system is operating and people are going to become more loud, making it hard for politicians to ignore,' he ended.
Pembrokeshire Herald
16-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Welsh TV sector boosted as hit BBC drama films in Cardiff
Renting somewhere long-term means doing all you can to find the right place and avoid getting a UK landlord eviction form. In this post, we'll show you the ten steps you must follow to secure a long-lasting let that suits all your needs. 1. Set a budget With an ongoing cost of living crisis, you need to be sure that you can keep up with rent. Ideally, you won't spend more than 30% of your income on rent – but this rule is slowly becoming nearly impossible to follow. Plan out how much you can spend on rent while still comfortably making ends meet. You cannot go beyond the amount you set, even for a place you really love – your stability has to come first. 2. Identify must-haves You'll likely already know plenty of non-negotiables for your next place. The particulars here are all up to you, but higher-budget places will always have more to offer. Here are some common renter must-haves: Proximity to schools Nearby parking Allowed to own a pet In-unit washer/dryer Low local crime rate Ample outdoor space Lacking any of these could be enough to turn you away from otherwise great homes. If you own a pet, for example, you need a pet-friendly place. However, you should still ask yourself if your list of non-negotiables is suitable for your budget. 3. Check listings Look at properties on many sites, including Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom. The home for you might be on just one platform; you can't afford to limit your search just to one site. When checking listings, always compare their prices and get a vague idea of the market rate – this will help you identify places with outrageously high rent. 4. Prepare a rental application Once you find the perfect place, it's time to send in an application. These are typically available on the listing, but you may have to use your own. Look online for an affordable rental application template – this will already include everything you need. Any UK-ready rental application you fill in and submit should include: Your personal information Your rental history Your employment history References (personal, professional, and landlord) Permission to carry out a background check 5. View the property You should always inspect a potential new home before signing anything – ideally, you'll be able to view it before you even send in your application. If you spot any damages, bring this up to the landlord or letting agent. You must visit rooms that weren't on the listing's photos; the agency might be trying to hide something. 6. Check the agreement Assuming all goes well, the landlord will give you a tenancy agreement. However, you must look it over first to ensure it's fair. These agreements must have the following: Names of all parties The rental amount The rent's due date The tenancy's start/end dates Tenant and landlord obligations Repair procedures Deposit protection scheme details If you previously discussed any extra clauses with the landlord, check they're in the lease – don't leave anything to a verbal agreement. 7. Conduct a move-in inspection Once you sign the lease and move in, inspect the property in full, even if you already attended a viewing. Take photos of anything that's off, or the landlord might accuse you of being the culprit. Your landlord may carry out the inspection with you – and possibly provide their own checklist of every appliance and fixture. 8. Change your address Before you settle in, you have to go through the hassle of updating your address everywhere, or you won't get your post. You need to tell HMRC about your new address, as this will likely affect your tax. You must also inform the DVLA and re-register to vote. 9. Follow the lease With your tenancy now in effect, all that's left to do is follow the lease's rules and make sure you stay on your landlord's good side. Here's what you'll need to do: Pay your rent on time Explain any late payments Report maintenance issues Keep noise to a minimum Make sure guests follow the rules Don't secretly get a pet Keep the property in good condition 10. Renewing or moving out As the lease draws to a close, you'll need to decide whether to renew it or move out. You should talk to your landlord about this at least a few months before the lease ends – this will give you time to negotiate and them time to find a replacement if necessary. If you're moving out, make sure you have enough time to conduct a move-out inspection before you go, preferably with the landlord present. Final thoughts How you conduct yourself throughout the rental process massively affects your chance of getting a great property. By following the steps above, you'll stand out as a model tenant and find a home that fits your needs.
Pembrokeshire Herald
16-05-2025
- Business
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Long-term renting: The essential checklist
Renting somewhere long-term means doing all you can to find the right place and avoid getting a UK landlord eviction form. In this post, we'll show you the ten steps you must follow to secure a long-lasting let that suits all your needs. 1. Set a budget With an ongoing cost of living crisis, you need to be sure that you can keep up with rent. Ideally, you won't spend more than 30% of your income on rent – but this rule is slowly becoming nearly impossible to follow. Plan out how much you can spend on rent while still comfortably making ends meet. You cannot go beyond the amount you set, even for a place you really love – your stability has to come first. 2. Identify must-haves You'll likely already know plenty of non-negotiables for your next place. The particulars here are all up to you, but higher-budget places will always have more to offer. Here are some common renter must-haves: Proximity to schools Nearby parking Allowed to own a pet In-unit washer/dryer Low local crime rate Ample outdoor space Lacking any of these could be enough to turn you away from otherwise great homes. If you own a pet, for example, you need a pet-friendly place. However, you should still ask yourself if your list of non-negotiables is suitable for your budget. 3. Check listings Look at properties on many sites, including Rightmove, Zoopla, and SpareRoom. The home for you might be on just one platform; you can't afford to limit your search just to one site. When checking listings, always compare their prices and get a vague idea of the market rate – this will help you identify places with outrageously high rent. 4. Prepare a rental application Once you find the perfect place, it's time to send in an application. These are typically available on the listing, but you may have to use your own. Look online for an affordable rental application template – this will already include everything you need. Any UK-ready rental application you fill in and submit should include: Your personal information Your rental history Your employment history References (personal, professional, and landlord) Permission to carry out a background check 5. View the property You should always inspect a potential new home before signing anything – ideally, you'll be able to view it before you even send in your application. If you spot any damages, bring this up to the landlord or letting agent. You must visit rooms that weren't on the listing's photos; the agency might be trying to hide something. 6. Check the agreement Assuming all goes well, the landlord will give you a tenancy agreement. However, you must look it over first to ensure it's fair. These agreements must have the following: Names of all parties The rental amount The rent's due date The tenancy's start/end dates Tenant and landlord obligations Repair procedures Deposit protection scheme details If you previously discussed any extra clauses with the landlord, check they're in the lease – don't leave anything to a verbal agreement. 7. Conduct a move-in inspection Once you sign the lease and move in, inspect the property in full, even if you already attended a viewing. Take photos of anything that's off, or the landlord might accuse you of being the culprit. Your landlord may carry out the inspection with you – and possibly provide their own checklist of every appliance and fixture. 8. Change your address Before you settle in, you have to go through the hassle of updating your address everywhere, or you won't get your post. You need to tell HMRC about your new address, as this will likely affect your tax. You must also inform the DVLA and re-register to vote. 9. Follow the lease With your tenancy now in effect, all that's left to do is follow the lease's rules and make sure you stay on your landlord's good side. Here's what you'll need to do: Pay your rent on time Explain any late payments Report maintenance issues Keep noise to a minimum Make sure guests follow the rules Don't secretly get a pet Keep the property in good condition 10. Renewing or moving out As the lease draws to a close, you'll need to decide whether to renew it or move out. You should talk to your landlord about this at least a few months before the lease ends – this will give you time to negotiate and them time to find a replacement if necessary. If you're moving out, make sure you have enough time to conduct a move-out inspection before you go, preferably with the landlord present. Final thoughts How you conduct yourself throughout the rental process massively affects your chance of getting a great property. By following the steps above, you'll stand out as a model tenant and find a home that fits your needs.
