Any tips for readers on advertising? Sure – a tip from a landlord (on my fourth lodger now, he’s shaping up well and beginning to get my dire sense of humour – and the previous 3 have been marvellous).

Here’s the tip – Lodgers: if you’re looking online, you need to “advertise” too.

If you’ve contacted a potential landlord via a rent-a-room website, then you must be registered with that site. SO set up a profile. Or, if you don’t want to go public, then when you’re contacting potential landlords at least put something more in your first e-mail than “is the room still available?” (you only have to type it once then save it for future use). From our profiles, you know about us and what we’re looking for – what about you and what you’re looking for?

Put yourself in our shoes – YOU thinking we might get along is not enough. If I might be giving you a key to my HOME where I live, then *I* also need to be sure that we can share the same space without ending up wanting to murder each other.

My best recent one – message exchange as follows:
Potential lodger: is the room still free and would you consider mature students?
Me: Yes, but you have no profile?
PL: No, I don’t.
Me: (loses the will and doesn’t bother responding, if they can’t take the hint, then NEXT)

It ‘pays’ to advertise.