Homesharing (a unique affordable home idea)
Home-sharing is when someone with a spare room invites another person to live there at low rent, in exchange for a few jobs around the house, and some company, for a few hours each week.
This is ideal for young people who need a stable home, to pair with older people who feel lonely and have some space in their home.
Examples of ‘jobs’ around the house including having a chat, watching TV, walking dogs and doing small chores like washing-up or vacuuming. And sometimes cooking the odd meal, or doing grocery shopping.
If gardening, use no-dig gardening to protect wildlife. Learn more on pet-friendly gardens and avoid facing indoor plants to gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
- Homeshare UK is the main site to visit for further information, and to find local agencies.
- Share and Care Homeshare (which operates in London and elsewhere) has helped hundreds of people find low-cost homes, and gives homeowners in-house help from as little as £5.50 a day for 15 hours a week (compare that to carer agency fees).
- Homeshare Living again operates mostly in London (due to more demand) but throughout England. One man who has to work overseas, loves that his older mother has a home-sharer, knowing she has companionship when he’s not there.
Home-sharing is not ‘rent’. Instead, both parties pay a low fee to the agency, the average fee is around £150 for both.
Home-sharers are not carers, so not expected to wash and dress people.
Reputable agencies carry out CRB checks, and ensure good matches. Usually there is a trial period, and either person is free to terminate the contract at any time, all done through home-sharing agencies, to avoid awkward conversations.
Example homesharing stories
One 95-year old partially sighted woman gets care and companionship from her 27-year old homesharer.
A widow who was feeling lonely and depressed, welcomed a young homesharer (and her friendly dog) into her home to live.
Another widow was struggling to look after her dog, due to a balance condition. A Spanish mother and daughter came to stay (the daughter was studying to a vet nurse) and during the lockdown pandemic, they gave both her front and back gardens a makeover!
Average rents now top £1,200 a month outside London, and homeownership slips further from reach for many. Young workers and families struggle with bills that eat half their pay.
Homesharing offers a fresh fix. You share your home with a compatible adult, often from another generation, to split costs and duties. It beats typical flatshares because it builds on trust and support, not just rent.
Tired of sky-high bills? This post explains homesharing, its big savings, steps to match with someone, and ways to make it work. You’ll see how it turns housing stress into smart living.
Finding pet-friendly rental accommodation
Many people struggle to find pet-friendly rental accommodation in England, because so many landlords and landladies won’t accept pets. Homesharing is one possible option:
- Write a pet CV including references from friends, vets and previous landlords. Also introduce to prospective landlords.
- If moving by car, Driving with Dogs lists walks near motorway exits, in case you get stuck in a traffic jam.
- Read up on train travel with pets (animals must be kept on leads or in carriers, and bring water and treats – pets are not allowed on escalators (they must be carried) and never allow animals near trains.
- If moving in or out, ensure pets are safe for pets (includes indoor plants to avoid). Also avoid facing indoor foliage to gardens, to help stop bird strike.
