Help - Guest

How does SpareRoom work? SpareRoom is a platform that connects people who have a spare room to rent with people looking for a room to live in. It is free to use for both sides. Two... Who can use this website? This website is designed for two groups of people: guests looking for a spare room or flatmate, and hosts who have a room available. It is a direct platform —... What is the cost to use this website? SpareRoom is currently free for everyone — both hosts and guests. There are no listing fees, no subscription charges, and no commission taken from any... How can I register? Registering is free and takes just a few minutes. Once registered, you can create room listings as a host, post room wanted ads as a guest, or do both — there... How do I hide my listing? Hiding your listing removes it from search results without deleting it. It is the best option when your room is filled, you are going on holiday, or you are not... How do I search for a room? Searching for a room on SpareRoom is straightforward. Enter a suburb or city on the home page to see all available listings in that area. Rooms and Flatmates... How do I contact a host? You must be logged in to contact someone advertising a room. If you do not yet have an account, register for free. Step 1 — Find a listing Search for... When should I pay a host? Payment timing is agreed between the guest and the host. There is no fixed rule, but the following guidance reflects common practice. Typical arrangement Most... I cannot login If you are having trouble logging in, work through the steps below to identify and fix the problem. Problem 1 — You have not activated your account You must... My listing has been deleted Listings are removed in a number of circumstances. Understanding why helps you avoid it happening again. Reason 1 — Outdated availability dates Free host... Why you should use the message system The messaging system on this website has been designed to make communication between guests and hosts simple, safe, and centralised. We strongly encourage all... How can I see my sent messages? All messages you have sent are stored in your Sent folder. You can also check whether a recipient has read your message. How to view sent messages Log in and... How do I delete my listing? You can delete an individual listing from your My Listings page. Deleting a listing removes it permanently — it cannot be restored. If you only want to stop... How do I post a room wanted ad? As a guest, you can post a room wanted ad on SpareRoom. This lets hosts — and other members browsing the Flatmates tab — see that you are looking for a... Do you inspect the accommodation or screen guests? We do not inspect accommodation or screen guests. SpareRoom is a platform that connects people looking for a spare room with people who have one available —... How do I change my email address? You can update your email address at any time from your profile. After saving, you will need to verify the new address before you can log in with it. Steps to... How do I reset my password? If you have forgotten your password and cannot log in, you can request a password reset by email. Step 1 — Go to the login page Go to /login or click Log in... How do I update my notification preferences? You can control which email notifications SpareRoom sends you. You might want to reduce notifications when you are not actively looking, or turn them back on... How do I change my password? You can change your password at any time from your Dashboard. You will need to be logged in. If you have forgotten your password and cannot log in, see How do I... What should I look for in a listing? Choosing the right room is important — you will be living there, often for several months. Read listings carefully and ask questions before committing.... How do I find a room near my university? The search on this site lets you search by suburb and adjust the proximity radius, making it easy to find room rentals within a comfortable distance of your... What happens if there is a problem with my host or guest? Most room rental arrangements work well, but occasionally issues arise. Here is how to handle them. Step 1 — Communicate directly first Many issues can be... Online safety tips Finding a room or a flatmate online is safe when you take sensible precautions. Here are our recommendations for staying safe when using SpareRoom. Keep... How do I shortlist a listing? The shortlist lets you save listings you are interested in so you can easily compare them and come back to them later. How to shortlist a listing When viewing a...