(Rental) Housing Crisis? What Crisis?

Slinky

Joanthebone said:

Don't do it.  I had the most awful experience when I rented a room to what seemed like a 'nice lady lodger'... Why not do Air BnB?  I would have thought its a lot less hassle.

She said she wanted help with the housework. Airbnb will be creating more housework, not providing cleaning services!

SusanJP

pickledonionspaceraider said:

Furthermore, if people come out of the temporary accommodation, they are lost to the council as they are 'suitably housed'

Ah, yes, this is a problem I hadn't anticipated i.e. someone moving in here potentially losing a place on a council list or otherwise being disadvantaged in their position with the council.

Valid point!

FreeBear

Joanthebone said:   I had the most awful experience when I rented a room to what seemed like a 'nice lady lodger'...

Same here. The "nice" lodger(s) turned in to the couple from hell.... The replacement is a charming young lady and I will often cook a meal that we share.

Fosterdog

If you'd prefer a mum with kids why not contact some women's refuges? They are generally desperate for homes that can house a family rather than just a single person leaving a DV situation. You might find some of these families in need will only be with you for a few weeks, and others for several months. You're not likely to get anyone longer term in reality because lodgers are only ever looking for something temporary, if they need something longer term they would buy/rent/find a house share, basically somewhere that they have equal rights as other tenants and not a lodger at the mercy of the homeowner.

Crashy_Time

Joanthebone said:

Don't do it.  I had the most awful experience when I rented a room to what seemed like a 'nice lady lodger'... Why not do Air BnB?  I would have thought its a lot less hassle.

Yes, the downsides are massive IMO, Air BnB would be a potential nightmare as well, short stay people don`t really need to worry about their behaviour too much?

SusanJP

Fosterdog said:

If you'd prefer a mum with kids why not contact some women's refuges? They are generally desperate for homes that can house a family rather than just a single person leaving a DV situation.

That's what you'd think. But not so.

All they want is money! They want cash, or subscriptions or they want you to help them fundraise.

When it comes to housing "vulnerable families" and "victims of domestic abuse" they want to house them in facilities that they manage themselves. (Which, I suppose, is understandable.) One said I live too far away - a 30 min drive. When I asked why that was even an issue they said that they need to visit the family every day and that their staff won't travel that far.

From an earlier suggestion in the thread, I tried the council and spoke with the housing officer. They were most amused - the strangest call they've had this year, apparently. They said, thank you very much and " leave it with us". But I doubt I'll hear from them again. If they are not geared up for this kind of arrangement, and don't have the policy document to cover it and the right type of forms to fill, it's too much trouble.

What housing crisis?

Bonniepurple

While it’s a commendable thing the OP is doing, I’m not sure they understand the target market.  It was stressful enough renting as a couple.  It must be much harder with young children.  I certainly would not like to live with a stranger permanently, especially not with my children- who are mostly well behaved but have their moments.  I especially would not like to love with a stranger who appears to want a live in house keeper who will do housework in return for a reduction in rent.  The whole thing is fraught with problems.  What happens if there is accidental damage?  In a normal tenancy it can be put right before handover.  Would you want it dealt with immediately?  What happens about disagreements?

PasturesNew

Nobody chooses to live in somebody else's house, with their stuff, their ways, their rules.... unless there's a very good (short term) reason for it.  Your life isn't your own if you get an over-bearing or peculiar live in landlord.  
The whole housework thing is peculiar, it has the ability to "creep" where you'd be minding your own business and end up feeling at the beck and call of the ring of a bell to do something.... no way to live. 
People want and need their own space (even if devoid of furniture and comforts), they want their own space, they don't want to have to feel obliged to "answer to" anybody if they decide to change their life, e.g. by going out for the day two days in a row, or taking up a job.... 
It'd drive me absolutely mental. 
Privacy isn't just about your own space/door that you can lock, but not being at the beck and call of others; feeling "free" to dress/live how you like without feeling judged.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

OP, I think what you're offering is not a match with the situations of most people who end up lodging. I had a couple of friends who had well-paying, long hours jobs in London, and who lodged Mon-Thurs and spent the weekends in their homes which were much further out. They were looking to lodge in centrally located flats with other professionals.The other common situation is people at a low point with casual work who need the cheapest possible option, on less notice than an AST. If I couldn't afford to live on my own, I'd prefer a house share where you're on equal terms with the people you live with to the odd and unequal relationship between live-in LL and lodger. It's not for everyone.

If the house is too big for you wouldn't it be less hassle to downsize?

newsgroupmonkey_

SusanJP said:

What housing crisis?

You keep saying that, but you sound like a nutter.

I'm not sure I'd want to live with you.

I might be completely wrong here, but you sound like a "lady of a certain age" who wants to be a mother hen to some downtrodden single Mum.

Realistically, the housing crisis problem right now is around families who want a family home. The 3 bed semi we moved out of recently had 17 people apply on the first day (which was great for us, because we were breaking the tenancy). That''s where the problem is, not someone renting out a room (where not only is there no privacy, but no rights either).