How to Fill Your HMO Rooms Fast (Even in a Slow Market)

Nothing eats into your profits faster than empty rooms.

Whether you're new to HMOs or have a few under your belt, you’ll know that filling rooms fast is the difference between a profitable property and one that slowly drains your energy (and your bank account).

So how do successful landlords keep their rooms full, even when the market cools?

Here’s exactly what works - based on real-world experience from running HMOs that rarely sit empty for more than 48 hours.

💡Bonus tip: Let’s be blunt: most landlords market their rooms badly.

They take grainy phone pics.

Write a two-line description.
List it late.
Then wonder why no one’s biting.

That’s great news for you - because with just a bit more effort, you can stand out instantly.

Step 1: Use a proven platform (but use it properly)

Use SpareRoom. It’s still the #1 place people look for house shares in the UK.

Here’s how to optimise your listing:

• Headline: Lead with a benefit, not the postcode.
  Example: “Large en-suite, 5 mins from station, all bills included”
  
  
• Photos: Use a DSLR or pay a pro. Dress the rooms. Open curtains. Show storage.
  
  
• Description: Sell the lifestyle. Mention broadband speed, proximity to shops, other housemates, cleaning rota etc.
  
  
• Availability: Always list a room 30–45 days in advance.
  
  

💡Bonus tip: Refresh your ad every few days to keep it ranking higher.

Step 2: Match the room to the right audience

Are you targeting:

• Professionals?
  
  
• Students?
  
  
• Supported living?
  
  
• Social housing tenants?
  
  

Don’t try to appeal to everyone. One solid demographic per property keeps things smooth and lets you tailor your offer.

Steve’s go-to? Professionals - especially NHS staff, because demand is constant, and they value well-run homes.

Step 3: Offer more than just a room

Tenants aren’t just renting four walls. They’re renting:

• Peace of mind
  
  
• Community
  
  
• A lifestyle upgrade
  
  

That means:

• Fast Wi-Fi
  
  
• Regular cleaners
  
  
• Fair, easy contracts
  
  
• Modern decor
  
  
• Respectful housemates
  
  

💡 One of Steve’s properties rents faster than anything else - purely because it has a quiet outdoor seating area and weekly cleaner included. Little touches matter.

Step 4: Partner with local employers

This is the secret sauce.

Call HR departments at hospitals, distribution centres, big employers and say:
“We offer high-quality shared housing for staff – happy to prioritise your team when a room becomes available.”

They’ll often send people your way on repeat.

Steve built a relationship with his local hospital, and now gets a steady stream of pre-vetted tenants - no ads required.

Step 5: Make move-ins frictionless

The more hoops tenants have to jump through, the less likely they’ll commit.

Here’s what helps:

• Online referencing (like Canopy or OpenRent)
  
  
• Digital contracts & e-sign
  
  
• Clear welcome packs
  
  
• Lockboxes for keys (so they can move in out-of-hours)
  
  

Make it easy for people to say yes.

Struggling with tenant leads right now?

You might need to adjust:

• Your pricing (are you over the market average?)
  
  
• Your photos (do they stand out?)
  
  
• Your listing (is it clear who it’s for?)
  
  
• Your bonus offers (Wi-Fi, cleaner, furniture, flexibility?)
  
  

Want to learn how to fill rooms faster and build a waiting list?

Join the Free Masterclass with Steve Doran
Real strategies from fully tenanted HMOs
See Steve’s top-performing listing templates
Learn how to build demand before you even finish refurb

👉 Claim your free spot now

Final thought:

You don’t need to be in a red-hot market to run a profitable HMO.
You just need to treat it like a business - and give tenants a reason to choose you.

When you do, your rooms won’t just fill fast.
They’ll stay full.