House share or room to let?

I will be rattling round alone in this fair sized 3/4 bed house; I can't sell for some time as we recently bought the frehold from the council who said no selling for a few years.

We were hosting students to help pay the mortgage, but I doubt I can do that solo at 74!! So I'm looking at taking in a lodger or "paying guest" but hoping to find someone to share the house rather than just rent a room albeit at a lower rent. Does this sort of arrangement work?

I'm quite happy to cook the main meal, run round with the vac, load the washing machine and dishwasher, but up early every day to make breaky for somebody else is not in my job preferences, ironing and making beds for somebody else I can do without too.

Any opinions or advice welcome.

 

Hi Mike,

I think it would be suitable if you had any friends, or friends of friends who would be up for it really. I don`t think I personally would feel comfortable with people I didn`t have any knowledge of, but if I were in a position to take you up I certainly would. All those jobs you would do!

Perhaps if you put an ad in the local paper and gave the applicants a really good grilling to see if you kick it off.

I`ll have a quick shufty round for you to see if I can find anything out about it shall I?


Speak to you again soon, God bless.

 

I did have a quick google and found some possibilities, but how to tell the sharers from the renters?

As you say grilling would be necessary for a start, plus a "trial period" maybe

 

Hi Mike,
one thing is if you look for some company for some emotional reasons, and a different thing is if you look for help paying the mortgage. It is a bit unclear where you are heading.
To rent a room is one thing, to share a house means to be bumping all the time in some stranger which not necessarily is your ideal house mate.
I don't see why you cannot rent rooms to students on your own, perhaps with a little help.
Maybe you could rent a room to somebody reliable which would help you taking care of the students (+cleaning, making beds etc) and does't mind getting up early, with maybe some special arrangement for the rent.
You shouldn't be doing any housework, come on!
But I am pretty sure that students can sort themselves out and they don't mind if you don't interfere in their routine. Maybe if you insist that you want to prepare things for the breakfast you can lay down the table in the evening and instruct them how to find things.
I would take it easy if I was you and allow a bit of time to pass and don't rush into anything.

 

Hi Again mike,

I rent out houses and perhaps if you were to have a quick look at some lettings agencies they may have some specific help or even better a good member of staff who has come across this situation before, and estate agents also have lettings lists. You could give them your specific requirements and they will go on their database. As for a trial then that is certainly possible, you could give them a lodger-type tenancy agreement to start off with for a fixed period, a tenancy agreement would give you some legal protection but it is worth noting it provides a tenant with legal protection too. I have some houses which have shared tenancies but they aren't identical to your case-mostly students who share the house between them.

Perhaps you would prefer a more informal arrangement, in which case an ad in the paper giving a basic outline and then going into more detail when they ring?

Your local community centre might be good, or (please forgive me for using the term) age concern centre are sure to have people who would like this kind of arrangement. A chat with someone there might at least make the view clearer. I`d advise the local council if I didn't know they employ clowns who don`t know their you-know-what from their you-know-what!

 

I think a house share will very mutch depend on the personality of both yourself and the other person, Id make sure you have a no commital trial week or two first so you can bow out of it if your not getting along.

 

Mike, I would go along with Clair's advice and get a letting agent or professional do the work for you. There are also Companies that require short term accommodation for their employees etc.

It's ok saying...you can stay for a qualifying time etc...but once they are in, if it doesn't work out, you could have an awful lot of bother getting them out again.

I'm not just referring to your age when I say trouble, because it can happen to anyone. I would think very carefully before opening your door to a stranger.

I would also not make any offers like making beds or cooking for them. You could end up being a slave in your own home.

 

Oh Mike, do think before doing this. You are in a strange situation just now. Get help from Age Concern (I'm not being cheeky) & also from CAB. It's an awkward thing, letting a room or sharing a house. If you still have a mortgage the lenders may say that you can't have a lodger or whatever, don't get caught out. There also used to be a difference between 'boarders' & 'lodgers', don't know if it's the same now.

If you really don't have to, don't think about doing this yet. If you do, get advice. Do you live near a college or university? If so, you could maybe think about one of their students that have been there a while so you know they're stable.

I wish you all the best.

cheers

 

Joyce worked for a letting agency, so should have no problem with advice and assistance from them.

 

Bliddy heck Mike...I do hope you are ok mate. There must be all sorts of stuff on your shoulders at this time. Take our friends advice and ask for help,I'm sure they will be only too glad to guide you. Good Luck

 

That assumes one can get insurance cover with a cancer history for one partner and over 70 for the other, without the premiums being greater than the mortgage repayments!!

I'm going into town to check that and other things tomorrow. Fingers crossed for me!!

 

Yes mate fingers crossed.

 

Yeah. Fingers crossed mate, good luck. Please don't make a hasty decision.