Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
What is Dwelles?
Dwelles is a flatmate marketplace that helps people find compatible flatmates and spare rooms. Whether you are looking for a room or have one to offer, Dwelles matches you with people based on lifestyle, budget, and location, making the search faster and more personal than traditional listing sites.
How is Dwelles different from other platforms?
Dwelles focuses on compatibility, not just listings. Every user has a detailed profile with lifestyle preferences, so you can see whether someone is a good fit before reaching out. Our Early Bird feature also lets paid users access new rooms before free users, giving you a real advantage in a competitive market.
Is Dwelles free to use?
Yes, creating a profile and browsing are free. Free users can send a limited number of messages per month. Upgrading to Plus or Pro gives you unlimited messaging, Early Bird access to new listings, and a Featured profile that gets significantly more views.
Which cities does Dwelles operate in?
Dwelles is currently live in London. We are expanding to Dublin and New York in 2026. If you are based in a city we have not yet launched in, you can sign up and we will notify you when we arrive.
For Room Seekers
How do I find a room on Dwelles?
Create a profile and fill in your budget, desired move-in date, location, and lifestyle preferences. You can browse rooms by area, filter by price and room type, and contact landlords or current flatmates directly through the platform.
How do I contact a room lister?
Click on any listing to view the full details, then use the message button to introduce yourself. Free users can send up to 3 messages per month. With Plus or Pro, you can message any listing without limits.
What is Early Bird access?
Early Bird is a Plus and Pro feature that lets you see and respond to new room listings before free users. In a competitive market like London, being among the first to enquire significantly improves your chances of securing a room.
What should I look for in a flatmate profile?
Look at their lifestyle preferences: sleep schedule, cleanliness standards, guests policy, working hours, and whether they have pets. A profile with a photo and a detailed bio is a strong sign of a genuine, active user. Verified profiles add an extra layer of trust.
What if I find a suspicious listing?
Stop communicating and report the listing using the report button. Never transfer money before viewing a property in person or via video call. If you have lost money to a scam in the UK, contact Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk.
For Room Listers
How do I list my spare room?
Go to List a Room and fill in the property details: address, room size, rent, bills included, move-in date, and the type of flatmate you are looking for. Add photos and a description, then publish. Your listing will be visible to thousands of active seekers.
What makes a good listing?
Clear, bright photos of the room and shared spaces are the most important factor. Include the monthly rent, which bills are covered, house rules, and a short description of the existing flatmates. Listings with complete information receive significantly more enquiries.
How do I find the right flatmate?
Use our lifestyle filters to specify what matters to you: whether you prefer a non-smoker, someone with similar sleeping hours, a professional, or someone without pets. You can also browse seeker profiles proactively and reach out directly instead of waiting for enquiries.
Can I manage multiple enquiries at once?
Yes. All incoming messages appear in your account dashboard. You can respond, decline, and archive conversations. Pro users get priority support and access to additional listing management tools.
Am I responsible for checking a flatmate's references?
Yes. While Dwelles provides verified profiles and compatibility-based search, the tenancy agreement and reference checks are your responsibility. We strongly recommend speaking to a prospective flatmate by video call and verifying their employment and previous tenancy history before agreeing.
Safety and Trust
How does Dwelles protect me from scams?
We apply verification checks to listings and profiles and monitor the platform for suspicious behaviour. All users can report listings and profiles directly. Never pay a deposit or holding fee before signing a tenancy agreement and viewing the property, in person or via video call.
What is the verified badge and how do I get it?
The Verified badge is awarded when you complete our identity verification process, which includes uploading a government-issued ID and a selfie. Verified users receive more responses and are seen as more trustworthy by potential flatmates and room listers.
Should I meet a potential flatmate before agreeing?
Yes, always. Meet in person or arrange a video call to view the property and confirm the person matches their profile before exchanging any money or signing anything. If a room lister refuses any form of viewing, treat this as a major red flag.
Still have questions?
Cannot find the answer you are looking for? Our support team is here to help with any questions or concerns.