Taking in a lodger / housekeeper

RealLife

Mojisola wrote: »

So are you expecting your lodger to creep silently round the house when you want to sleep?

This is the problem now, yes.

AdrianC

RealLife wrote: »

I've heard about people overseas having live-in house staff, but they usually need to cater for quite a few people - a bit like on a ship.

But I haven't heard about it in the UK so much - maybe because of our bureaucracy?

Yes, all that inconvenient bureaucracy like having to do paperwork for the people you employ, pay them the minimum wage, and give them paid holidays. Things that, when you're dealing with "natives" in the developing world, are less important.

Blackeyez09

RealLife wrote: »

Why would it be a ''wind up''?
Not everyone loves cooking, cleaning and washing up!

Get a dishwaser

uk_american

As a counterpoint OP, I recall many years ago as a student in the US looking for housing near the uni, I had considered a variety of options: pay for a room in a shared house, pay for a solo or 2 bed shared flat and work a part-time job to pay for it, as well as non-traditional arrangements such as childcare, eldercare or arrangements such as yours.

Most of the non-traditional arrangements such as childcare were paying quite well; they were in an awkward situation, the kids were in school all day but they needed to be picked up and supervised as of 15.30. Someone with extra rooms was willing to give that up in exchange for the security of a live in lodger who would guarantee that childcare.

As someone who leans toward feminist tendencies, I don't think your offer is under par. You're offering 10 gbp and hour, not .10p. The point would be to find someone where this is a win-win situation, such as a student, or someone trying to get on their feet again.

As a female with a paid off mortgage, I would much prefer the security of a known person to keep house while I'm away to an unknown cleaner.

Fully appreciating the tax and insurance implications but it seems like we've lost sight of the old-style bartering and practical lifestyle these days, with everything being a business transaction for profit. :-/

PlymouthMaid

I think a student would be a fantastic solution; probably win-win all round. You would want one with much better housekeeping skills than my student girl though. Actually as a parent to a student I guess I may be a little concerned if she told me she had free housing for doing stuff around the house for a single bloke.

trailingspouse

Bless your heart RealLife - you don't want to cook or clean. As I used to say to my son when he didn't want to do his maths homework - you don't have to want to do it. You just have to do it.

RealLife

PlymouthMaid wrote: »

Actually as a parent to a student I guess I may be a little concerned if she told me she had free housing for doing stuff around the house for a single bloke.

Concerned that he may ask her to become his girlfriend / wife?

RealLife

hazyjo wrote: »

(Or even think about doing whatever you're currently doing, but living in a hotel (wasn't quite thinking Alan Partridge, but you get my gist...!).)

Jx

I may have accommodation when I'm away, but I'll still have my own home. So I'd like someone there to keep an eye on it for me.

RealLife

AdrianC wrote: »

Yes, all that inconvenient bureaucracy like having to do paperwork for the people you employ, pay them the minimum wage, and give them paid holidays.

But I'm not looking for a full time employee.
I wouldn't want all that nonsense just to get my gutters or windows cleaned every few months either.

RealLife

MobileSaver wrote: »

Are you offering the "similar to wife duties" too?

I don't want a ''wife'' to give me grief etc...!