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.
- 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!
