Homestay Rental Guide: All You Need to Know

As of 1st January: online reservations will now be mandatory on Roomlala

01/03/2019

Roomlala is preparing for some exciting changes this coming 2019! Among them is the obligation to pay online for all reservations. Up until 2018, thanks to our Connect pass (or formerly called Premium pass), you are allowed to share your contact details in our messaging platform as well as choose the mode of payment for your reservation: online or in person (outside our platform). As of 1 January 2019, all reservations must be paid online through the Roomlala platform. Why is online paymen...

Say goodbye to the Premium Pass and say hello to the Connect Pass

12/12/2018

At the end of the year, Roomlala is evolving the Premium Pass into the Connect Pass. Keep reading to find out more! What is different with the Connect Pass? Up until now, if you wanted to exchange your contact details through Roomlala's messaging platform, we suggested you become a Premium member. If you also proceeded with online reservation, you were also required to pay for 2 services on Roomlala: your Premium Pass subscription + the service fee. If you become a Connect member, you...

NEW: rents for long-term stays can now be paid online

11/30/2018

For long-term rentals (2 months and up), Roomlala now gives landlords the possibility to activate a Payment timeline. What is it for? In activating the Payment timeline, landlords notify their tenants that the rents are to be paid online each month, and no longer in person. This saves time and provides better safety to both landlords and tenants. Roomlala takes care of everything! Each month, Roomlala sends a payment notice as well as several rent reminders to inform the tenant th...

Discover your new dashboard!

11/29/2018

Prepare a cup of coffee and get comfortable. We'll tell you everything about Roomlala's brand new dashboard, as you can probably notice. To provide you with a better interface matching your rental needs, we have completely redesigned your dashboard. To learn more, follow the guide! Your notifications are always at your fingertips Landlords are always informed about their rental requests and reservations on the left side of the dashboard. You are also able to view the details in a simple ...

Finding the best tenant for you

05/24/2018

So maybe you’ve finally decided to rent out that spare space of yours, to rake in some extra cash. You may be doing this for the 1st or 20th time, but either way one very important step towards a smooth rental process is finding the best tenant for you. This does not mean you’re looking for a friend or partner for life, ok maybe you are but that’s besides the point. You’re trying to find someone who’s going to follow the tenancy agreement at hand, treating you and your property with utmost respe...

How to deal with bad tenants

05/16/2018

Renting out your property can prove to be a very rewarding process as you are able to make additional income from an available space without causing you to have to perform heavy workloads, just a good use of management and respect. With that also comes good understanding and being aware of what sort of tenancy you want to establish, clearly setting out the rules needed for the tenancy to run smoothly. This can often be disrupted by many factors, such as your tenant not complying with the so call...

When looking to sublet, there are important things to consider within the UK

05/09/2018

So you’re looking to go away for a period of time, or you have some important business to attend and you may be away from your rental for a lengthy period of time. Then you also realise that you have rent to pay, and that isn’t going to pay itself! One thing that can help you out of this sticky situation is looking to sublease an apartment/property. With this blog we aim to help you understand a few simple aspects of how subletting works, either if you are a landlord or tenant. It’s all about co...

Can a landlord come into the property without notice?

05/07/2018

A Landlord’s right of entry into the property according to the housing act 1988 highlights that privacy is key, t’is real important that landlords understand that.So knowing how to go about entry into the property is a must as you want to avoid any forms of tension or problems. You must know your rights of entry, so both parties must show a good form of mutual respect. It’s key to keep things mutual, as both landlord's and tenant's rights may seem like they clash but both parties are in diffe...

Who is responsible for the plumbing bill? Landlords or Tenants?

05/07/2018

Think how people must have lived without indoor plumbing?! We often take the simplest things for granted within our homes, these aspects don’t even cross our minds at times. But we need to understand that plumbing systems are a vital aspect towards comfortable living, so with that in mind, why not invest in some beneficial maintenance, so you can save your money running down the drain. (Yes we tried to be clever there). It is also important to clarify who is responsible for repairs. We unders...

Common Mistakes To Avoid When You Rent out a Room

03/26/2018

Offering a spare room to rent can be a hugely rewarding experience, allowing you to indulge in new cultures and new life experiences. Leaving you with memories to remember for life. But in order for it to be a joyous experience, there are certain factors to be aware of, that many seem to miss. So see this as a guide to your route of good times and stories to share. Renting out a room: it’s a win win The opportunity to meet new people and to get to know more about different cultures,adding ...

Roommates When Abroad: A Good or Bad Idea

01/22/2018

Dreaming of roommates like those in “Auberge Espagnole?” Ones that will lead to you taking part in an enriching community? Words fail to describe how many benefits there are to an experience such as this. They can also fail to describe the nightmare that can ensue if some basic rules are not followed. Although there can be difficult moments, they can be avoided, and quite frankly, they are not that different than those of any other living situation. The risks of having a nightmarish experien...

Studying in Nottingham: What to do and where to stay

01/17/2018

Nottingham is one of the UK’s top student cities, with the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University both high in the rankings. The two universities both have several campuses for the 61,000 students that study in the city. If you’re considering studying at either of the city’s universities, read on to find out all you need to know. What to do When it comes to nightlife, Nottingham has a lot on offer. The main student nights are held at clubs like Ocean, Ink, Rock City and S...

10 Tips for Making the Most of a Small Kitchen

01/15/2018

Having a small kitchen is neither the end of the world, nor a synonym for having a messy, impractical space. Here are 10 tips for improving the layout and decoration to make the most of the small space and to make your kitchen the heart of the home. 1. Opt for Built in Appliances To ensure that your small kitchen has the best possible layout, you should start by choosing appliances that fit the space well. You can now buy, for instance, dishwashers that can be built into a kitchen cabinet ...

What to Do in London in 3 Days

01/12/2018

London is a city known for its history, its fashion, and its culture. It's a vibrant city that is packed with historic monuments, lovely parks and lively pubs which create a unique British charm. If you're lucky enough to be visiting this beautiful city, then we've prepared a guide on how to see London in 3 days. 1st Day in London: The Main Attractions London is a fascinating city, because not only is it rich with history and culture, it's also one of the most diverse and modern cities in ...

Studying in Edinburgh: What to Do and Where to Stay

01/10/2018

Edinburgh is a beautiful city packed with culture and history. It’s also home to many universities and colleges, making it Scotland’s biggest student centre. Edinburgh is also one of the UK’s best student cities, and is home to some of the most renowned universities in the UK. If you’re lucky enough to be studying here, make sure that you know how to make the most of your time! What to do When living in Edinburgh, there are a few sites which must be visited. One of these is Arthur’s Seat. ...

8 Types of Flatmates or Roommates You Could Encounter

01/08/2018

If you believe that having a good flat or apartment is important to making a flatshare run smoothly, you must also be aware that it’s also incredibly important to find the right roommates/flatmates. We’ve compiled brief profiles of the 8 main types to give you an idea of the kind of people that you could meet. 1. The Party Animal This first type of roommate is by far one of the most common amongst students, the perpetual party-goer. It doesn’t matter whether it’s Thursday, Friday, or even ...

The Difference Between a Homestay and Accommodation in Exchange for Work

12/28/2017

When searching for accommodation, you should also try searching for non-traditional forms of renting, such as accommodation in exchange for services...

Erasmus: Study Abroad in Strasbourg

12/25/2017

Strasbourg has a population of over 271,000 people and it's known for its massive cathedral and charming little streets. The city of Strasbourg attracts a lot of tourists, especially from November to December, for its Christmas market, which is one of the largest Christmas markets in France. People come from all over the world to discover the charm of the market and purchase all sorts of goods from the little wooden stalls. Strasbourg is known for its large central island which is surrounded ...

Good reasons to Rent your Home during the Holidays

12/21/2017

There are so many reason why renting your home during the holidays can be a great idea, so we thought we'd compile a list of some of the best reaons! 1 Gifts for the whole family, endless Christmas meals to prepare? By renting your home during the holidays, you earn some extra cash which makes this expensive time of the year seem not so hard on your wallet. 2 You're away for two weeks to spend Christmas with your family? Leave with the peace of mind that the...

Studying in Manchester: What to Do and Where to Stay

12/19/2017

Manchester is one of the UK’s most well known student cities. Situated in the northwest of England, this post-industrial city is home to many universities. The student population of Manchester is around 350,000 students, making Manchester one of the top student cities in the UK. This place is perfect for any student looking to immerse themselves in the student life. Keep reading to make sure you know what to do and where to stay during your studies in Manchester! What to do When studying...

Important things to know when you go on Erasmus

12/15/2017

Before travelling to the four corners of Europe on Erasmus year or semester abroad, it is essential to ask yourself a few questions so you can head off safe in the knowledge that you have thought of everything. Roomlala has done some of the work for you, to help you to find accommodation and enjoy your year in complete peace of mind. How to find accommodation? Before moving abroad, the most important thing is to ensure you have housing sorted, or are prepared to make that a priority when ...

Renting a Modern or Older House: Which to Choose?

12/13/2017

The search for a home inevitably raises the question of whether it is better to rent in an old or newly-built property. Between the charm of the old and the latest gadgets of the new, the choice can be difficult. To help you in your search for accommodation, we have put together the advantages and disadvantages of these 2 options. The pros and cons of living in an old house There is nothing quite like the character of a wooden staircase and exposed beams- renting an old property allows to ...

Why It's Not Too Late to Get a Roommate When You're 40

12/11/2017

Are you turning 40 soon and thinking about getting a roommate? Not to worry, you’re not the only 40 year old who has considered getting a roommate. You'll find many suitable roommates who are in and around your age who have also been won over by the charm of flat-sharing. We're going to explain why it's not too late to get a roommate at 40. A great solution during difficult times Getting a roommate may be the perfect solution to help you through some periods of your life which you're find...

Sharing your Wifi with your Neighbours: the Pros and Cons

12/08/2017

To reduce monthly costs or simply if you get along with a neighbour, it is possible to set up a wifi share. Internet connection sharing can indeed make sense to avoid the multiplication of subscriptions, but nevertheless, this practice is not without a few risks. What is the impact on the speed of the wifi? Sharing your wifi with a neighbour will definitely effect the speed of the wifi, whether you have a fiber connection or not. Be aware that for normal internet browsing, with little audi...

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