How best to find lodgings when you're in your fifties...

SailorSam

I have a friend in her 50s and she took in a lodger after she became a widow, something along those lines sounds better than a flatshare, probably cost less 'cos the landlord may want the company as much as any extra money.

gazter

Age is an issue, but only in the sense that younger people might want to lodge with other younger people, but also older people with older lodgers!

uk.easyroommate.com
https://www.spareroom.co.uk

Are great. Ive advertised on both sites to receive lodgers. Be positive, dont sound desperate and be totally honest about the kind of person you want to share with.

whitewing

I occasionally see 'wanted' ads in the local post office or corner shop for these kind of situations, so it may be worth doing that (without disclosing too many personal details).

katejo

Mr_Hindley wrote: »

Hello all,
A friend of mine in her early fifties, living in London, is in the unfortunate position of needing to find somewhere to live fairly quickly. Her marriage broke down a couple of years ago and she moved in with her mum; however, her mum has now passed away and the council flat they were in is being taken back.

She's trying to find a room to rent, but they all seem to be in flatshares with twenty-/thirty-somethings who don't want an 'old fuddy-duddy' (which she isn't!)
Any advice on how she could find somewhere suitable..?

Thanks in advance!

Try Spareroom as previous MSE members have said. I am much the same age and let a room in my house (in E17). I advertised recently and have had more mature lodgers. My ad gives my age with a photo. She could search for an owner of similar age.

Old_Git

Mr_Hindley wrote: »

Hello all,
A friend of mine in her early fifties, living in London, is in the unfortunate position of needing to find somewhere to live fairly quickly. Her marriage broke down a couple of years ago and she moved in with her mum; however, her mum has now passed away and the council flat they were in is being taken back.

She's trying to find a room to rent, but they all seem to be in flatshares with twenty-/thirty-somethings who don't want an 'old fuddy-duddy' (which she isn't!)
Any advice on how she could find somewhere suitable..?

Thanks in advance!

long term the council is the best bet

lessonlearned

You said your friend is in her early 50's so yes short term lodgings are an option.

However, in the long term once she reaches 55 she would become eligible for sheltered housing. Take a look at Anchor Trust. I used to work for them and can thoroughly recommend them.

They are not just for the really elderly, disabled or infirm. They are not care homes, they are for independent living and you do not have to be retired. They were a number of people in my branch who were in full time work.

Your friend will want and need a secure long term tenancy at a fair rent, charitable foundations such as Anchor are her best bet.

In the meantime there are other charitable foundations such as the Guinness Trust who, if I understand correctly, do not have the age restriction.

If she looks around her locality she might find there are smaller more localised housing associations or charities.

vansboy

She should contact any homeless centres homeless.org in her area, will list some.

Also they will offer advice, depending on her financial situation and benefit entitlements.

Some centres will have landlords they work with who would be pleased to give her some accomodation, in preference to other potential tennants, who may have not looked after or respected their properties previous;y.

As for becoming a lodger, I intend to let a spare room when I move and would welcome a more mature person, so I'd imagine many others would, too.

VB

plumfin

Not sure if your friend is looking for work too, but try The Lady - they have positions such as housekeepers etc normally with accommodation.
http://www.jobs.lady.co.uk/jobs/category/general


It may be too much like her previous life, but I hope it helps.