Homeshare, Age UK. Anyone involved in this scheme?

Living with a lodger or helper is almost like getting into a relationship. It's a give and take, and every party needs to understand themselves. The problem with most people is they don't even know themselves, hence they can't judge who's a right lodger or homesharer. If you're too sensitive about little things then any sort of relationship might not be for you, because you'll hurt yourself and others. The character of being accommodating is something most people are losing today, hence the rate of relationship break ups. If you lack a bit of tolerance, don't do it - don't take a lodger.

Migration Yorkshire are looking for people to have Ukrainians who are already here and who need to move because their original sponsors can longer house them. My Ukrainian guests have been with me for nearly 2 years now and it has been a very positive experience. The amount you receive is £350/for first 12 months and £500/month after that. Doesn’t affect your council tax single person discount and isn’t taxed. Not sure if it affects benefits though.

MadeInYorkshire

I have looked into the 'Rent a Room Scheme' as I have 2 spare double bedrooms and am struggling to pay my bill now my daughter has died. I haven't had any heating on for the last 2 winters.

However, despite there being a desperate housing shortage, the DWP would only let me keep £25 a week of the income! That definitely wouldn't cover the Council Tax and heating!!!

Also looked into having someone from Ukraine - that's even worse, you have to sponsor them to come!

So it's a no, no from me!

MadeinYorkshire are you sure you should be paying council tax? I t might be worth talking to Age UK to see if they can find out if you are entitled to any other benefits..

I used to deliver books for our local library. I remember a lady who had MS had lodgers. They were generally students who gave a few hours help each week in return for cheap rent ,I think it wasrun by a charity. I think it's a good idea. If you're a taxpayer you can get up to about £ 4700 per annum tax free under the rent a room scheme .

MissAdventure

Wow, that's not much!!

Exactly! I'm on my own, socially isolated and rattling around in a house that I can't manage with a garden I can't manage - have just had a look at the 'Homeshare' schemes, but it seems you have to pay out up to £250 a month to join etc so that's impossible too!

I am STUCK!

Wow, that's not much!!

I have looked into the 'Rent a Room Scheme' as I have 2 spare double bedrooms and am struggling to pay my bill now my daughter has died. I haven't had any heating on for the last 2 winters.

However, despite there being a desperate housing shortage, the DWP would only let me keep £25 a week of the income! That definitely wouldn't cover the Council Tax and heating!!!

Also looked into having someone from Ukraine - that's even worse, you have to sponsor them to come!

So it's a no, no from me!

When DH was single, he had a lodger - an acquaintance of his.

On day there was a knock on the door, it was the bank manager. The lodger told the bank manager that he was the owner and DH was the tenant and he was trying to get a loan against DH’s house.

If you want to go down that route, make sure that if there is any problem, Homeshare or Age UK will step in and resolve the problem for you.

I would certainly consider it.
It makes perfect sense to me.

I suppose, Whiff, the OP is looking for companionship and some help.

My friend was tge "Lodger" in something similar. She worked in London but had her own Flat in another City. She was sleeping in the House Mon - Thursday. It was an older Lady who loved having her there, I believe her family were happy with my mate living there, they became good chums.
Worked out well for both of them. My mate was there for a few years but she eventually gave up her job in London.
Not sure if her 'Landlady " got another person in.

bohemian have you thought about downsizing. I know it's a lot of work and worry but I moved from a big 3 bed over 100 miles away 5 years ago and don't regret it for a minute. I live in a 2 bed bungalow front and back gardens drive and garage my rooms aren't small my living room is 19' 8" x 14' x 11" wide . On water meter in my old house my water bill was £160+ as no water meters here it's £28 a month ,heating bills are cheaper and no heat lost going up stairs,combi boiler so only heating what water I need as I had a tank in my old house . Plus cost of living is cheaper here. But the biggest plus is the healthcare is excellent.

4allweknow

If as said, its monitored by social services, it's a definite no from me. The state of local authorities nowadays is abysmal.

People are saying it is run by Age Uk which I have always found to be helpful.. not social services

Ooh sorry, I didn't mean to quote you!!
Bad day with my hands and fingers.

Allsorts

Very short reply as I couldn't go it, my home is my sanctuary, I would have to find another way to get help around the home. I saw what hapoened to my neighbour, he had a young woman move in, followed shortly by her horrible boyfriends smoking dope. It was a nightmare.

Oh well...

If as said, its monitored by social services, it's a definite no from me. The state of local authorities nowadays is abysmal.

Very short reply as I couldn't go it, my home is my sanctuary, I would have to find another way to get help around the home. I saw what hapoened to my neighbour, he had a young woman move in, followed shortly by her horrible boyfriends smoking dope. It was a nightmare.

A charity I worked for years ago had a scheme like this. It wasn't widely known about but was apparently more closely monitored and supported than was the norm.

I remember comparing several different schemes (ours and others).

I have no idea which are still running or which is the best.

boheminan

PS: It's run by Age UK

Age UK have their own local Homeshare organisations but there are various other organisations/charities that offer the same/similar Homeshare opportunities.
List available here - l think there are others not affiliated with Homeshare UK too
homeshareuk.org/homeshare-areas-coverage-map/

boheminan I think it is means-tested.

supportmatch.co.uk/

PS: It's run by Age UK

Wow! thank you for the responses, the thread had fallen off the bottom, so I thought no one was interested.

I'm divided on this scheme. I like the idea of filling my empty bedroom with someone who needs somewhere to live but I worry about the finances/responsibilities. I'm on benefits and wouldn't be able to cope if they were withdrawn. It seems the householder (me) pays Homeshare £140 a month admin costs, which does seem a lot, and the 'lodger' pays £200 and a month + up to 10 hours home help a week, so I end up with £60 a month, plus 10 hours work, which would be useful (but I don't know how that stands if the lodger's working).

I'm going round in circles with this, and appreciate your input

I feel mean worrying about the financial side of things and having a big half empty house to myself...and there will be more overheads, ie: heating throughout the house in the winter, more use of hot water, gas.

The point is that people who had negative experiences have had tenants, that presumably they have found for themselves.

Hone share is a totally different thing, the people are matched up, and the whole thing is monitored by accredited agencies.

Werssenberg what an uplifting post, from someone who’s actually experienced something similar to the OP’s query, not just conjecture. Thank you

OldFrill

Freya5

Well this idea is a no from me. If and when I can't manage, there are other ways to stay in your own home. Age concern would be my first port of call.

Age UK support Homestays and have a Homestay agency in Reading.

They might do, but I would ask for advice regarding anything but this scheme. Having once had a tenant who wrecked my home, I am in no frame of mind to put up with one again. Good luck to those who do.