{"id":1406,"date":"2020-09-13T20:35:05","date_gmt":"2020-09-14T01:35:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/?p=1406"},"modified":"2020-09-15T22:11:47","modified_gmt":"2020-09-16T03:11:47","slug":"renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/","title":{"rendered":"Renting Out A Spare Room: What can go wrong?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>You might have a vacant room or unit inside your house that you have no idea of what to use it for. Maybe you previously had a housemate who moved away, or you were planning on setting it up as a home gym but never really found the time to actualize it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With a spare room in your home, you might also be considering&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/got-an-extra-room-try-renting-it-out\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">renting it out<\/a>. This can be a good idea since you can utilize it and at the same time, you can earn extra money. Or is it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/raphael-schaller-Cz_Xbm3Jyyw-unsplash-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1410\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/raphael-schaller-Cz_Xbm3Jyyw-unsplash-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/raphael-schaller-Cz_Xbm3Jyyw-unsplash-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/raphael-schaller-Cz_Xbm3Jyyw-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/raphael-schaller-Cz_Xbm3Jyyw-unsplash-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/raphael-schaller-Cz_Xbm3Jyyw-unsplash.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Like all the decisions you have to make, you should always weigh the pros and cons. It is better to know the possibilities that could happen when you decide to take on a renter. I&#8217;m not here to discourage or scare you, but I am going to list down the few things that could go wrong if you pursue this so that you can make a more reasonable decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Taxable Income<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Although the main point of having someone rent a spare room is to gain profit, you must keep in mind that the income will be taxable. You will not be able to enjoy the full rental payment your tenant will pay you. The more income you generate, the larger your tax will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, this can be lessened when you include the\u00a0expenses related to the rental. Some examples are the expenses used for\u00a0<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/landlords-repair-responsibility\/\" target=\"_blank\">maintenance<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/rental-property-repairs-who-covers-the-cost\/\">repairs<\/a>, advertising, and utilities, to name a few.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You should compute your expenses and your profit after taxes to help you decide on this. You can opt to charge for a higher rent but remember to check your state laws on the maximum rent you are allowed to charge.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4386367-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1409\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4386367-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4386367-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4386367-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-karolina-grabowska-4386367.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Possible Damages<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the things that you must do is to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/screening-tenants-how-landlords-should-do-it\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">screen your tenants<\/a>\u00a0before letting them stay with you. There are background checks and information verification to be done before you choose an applicant. Any landlord would want to have a responsible tenant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Even if you find a good tenant, they can still be the cause of damage without intention. They can accidentally leave the stove on while doing other chores and starting a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/protect-your-properties-from-fire-related-incidents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">fire in your home<\/a>. They might break\u00a0appliances\u00a0because they do not know the proper way of using it. Whether intentional or not,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/damages-that-do-not-count-as-usual-wear-and-tear\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">damages caused by your tenant<\/a>\u00a0will still be your problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The best thing to do is to collect a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/ensure-security-deposit-is-enough-to-cover-delayed-rent-and-repair-costs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">security deposit to cover the cost of repairs if damages do occur<\/a>. Accidents are not intended and they probably do not want to cause any, but they should still be held accountable if anything happens due to their negligence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/fist-1148029_1280-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1356\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/fist-1148029_1280-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/fist-1148029_1280-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/fist-1148029_1280-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/fist-1148029_1280.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2>Overstaying Renter<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Renting out a room can be a temporary gig for you. You may want to stop it at one point because it doesn&#8217;t suit you anymore or you might grow tired of it. Or maybe you just wanted to get your privacy back. Whatever the reason is, you now have to inform your tenant of your plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Good tenants will leave once their lease ends and that&#8217;s that. But if your tenant refuses to leave even after the contract is over, you will have to go through an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/notice-to-quit-how-to-legally-evict-a-tenant\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">eviction process<\/a>. This will not only cost you money, but it will also cause you\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/4-ways-to-decrease-property-management-stress\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">stress<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2>Law Breaking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the things that you should do before\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/how-to-start-an-apartment-rental-business\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">entering this business<\/a>\u00a0is to know your state&#8217;s housing laws. Some provisions vary from state to state so you have to familiarize yourself with yours to avoid any\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/the-most-common-lawsuits-tenants-file-against-landlords\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lawsuits<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-cqfavocat-613508-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1407\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-cqfavocat-613508-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-cqfavocat-613508-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-cqfavocat-613508-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-cqfavocat-613508.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the things housing laws require is that you should have a habitable unit for your tenant. It also has to be safe and secured to be <a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/is-your-rental-room-legal\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">considered legal<\/a>. This should be one of your priorities because it will also make your property listing more appealing to applicants when you publish it on <a href=\"http:\/\/www.padleads.com\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"www.padleads.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Padleads<\/a>. Remember to make it very attractive because it will be syndicated to other websites where it can be seen by thousands of home hunters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You also have to follow the health and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/tips-on-how-to-improve-your-waste-management\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sanitation codes<\/a>\u00a0to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/dealing-with-pest-infestation-in-rental-homes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">avoid pests<\/a> or harmful bacteria. Always maintain a clean environment for your tenants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Being a landlord is never easy but if you want to do this full-time, you can start with that spare room in your house. Whether you&#8217;ll enjoy it or not, it won&#8217;t hurt to give it a shot. It&#8217;s a good way to test the waters first before diving in deeper.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You might have a vacant room or unit inside your house that you have no idea of what to use it for. Maybe you previously&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":1408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[13,23,19],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v18.4.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Renting Out A Spare Room: What can go wrong? - Padleads<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Renting Out A Spare Room: What can go wrong? - Padleads\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"You might have a vacant room or unit inside your house that you have no idea of what to use it for. Maybe you previously&hellip;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Padleads\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2020-09-14T01:35:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-09-16T03:11:47+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-drmakete-lab-48828.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1280\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"960\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Charles T\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Padleads\",\"description\":\"Guaranteed: more leads for your apartment\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-drmakete-lab-48828.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-drmakete-lab-48828.jpg\",\"width\":1280,\"height\":960},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/\",\"name\":\"Renting Out A Spare Room: What can go wrong? - Padleads\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2020-09-14T01:35:05+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-09-16T03:11:47+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d018f3a3ddcc81e7c85f6213fe12f80b\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Renting Out A Spare Room: What can go wrong?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d018f3a3ddcc81e7c85f6213fe12f80b\",\"name\":\"Charles T\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/#personlogo\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f4589184468e71c918fb3963b73b56a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f4589184468e71c918fb3963b73b56a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Charles T\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/author\/charlespadleads-com\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Renting Out A Spare Room: What can go wrong? - Padleads","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Renting Out A Spare Room: What can go wrong? - Padleads","og_description":"You might have a vacant room or unit inside your house that you have no idea of what to use it for. Maybe you previously&hellip;","og_url":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/","og_site_name":"Padleads","article_published_time":"2020-09-14T01:35:05+00:00","article_modified_time":"2020-09-16T03:11:47+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1280,"height":960,"url":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-drmakete-lab-48828.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Charles T","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/","name":"Padleads","description":"Guaranteed: more leads for your apartment","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-drmakete-lab-48828.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/pexels-drmakete-lab-48828.jpg","width":1280,"height":960},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/","name":"Renting Out A Spare Room: What can go wrong? - Padleads","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2020-09-14T01:35:05+00:00","dateModified":"2020-09-16T03:11:47+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d018f3a3ddcc81e7c85f6213fe12f80b"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/renting-out-a-spare-room-what-can-go-wrong\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Renting Out A Spare Room: What can go wrong?"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/d018f3a3ddcc81e7c85f6213fe12f80b","name":"Charles T","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/#personlogo","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f4589184468e71c918fb3963b73b56a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f4589184468e71c918fb3963b73b56a8?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Charles T"},"url":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/author\/charlespadleads-com\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1406"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1406"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1406\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1454,"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1406\/revisions\/1454"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1408"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1406"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1406"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.padleads.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1406"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}