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£350 ‘cash for rooms’ offer

Gove bids to end Ukrainian refugee chaos with 

£350 ‘cash for rooms’ offer


Any thoughts about this? Would like to think I would do it but would it be taxed? Can they claim benefits or work as not sure how it would actually work.
I dont have much income but have a spare bedroom/
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Comments

  • Browntoa
    Browntoa Posts: 49,544 Forumite
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    Rent a room scheme allows you to earn up to £7500 a year. 

    It is however classed as income and can have an effect on benefits.

    You may also need permission to do it from your landlord if you are a tenant. 
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  • Grumpy_chap
    Grumpy_chap Posts: 17,019 Forumite
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    More information here:
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-60724111

    Nothing said in the article about it but one would hope this humanitarian support would not result in people losing out financially.
  • RalphS
    RalphS Posts: 57 Forumite
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    Anyone know what the home insurance position would be if I take in refugees?
  • missile
    missile Posts: 11,759 Forumite
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    RalphS said:
    Anyone know what the home insurance position would be if I take in refugees?
    That would depend on your insurance policy. My policy would not cover me for any theft or damage caused.
    "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
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  • Pennylane
    Pennylane Posts: 2,721 Forumite
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    missile said:
    RalphS said:
    Anyone know what the home insurance position would be if I take in refugees?
    That would depend on your insurance policy. My policy would not cover me for any theft or damage caused.
    I was about to say the same.

    what about the bedroom tax?
  • FreedomBringsPeace
    FreedomBringsPeace Posts: 98 Forumite
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    edited 13 March 2022 at 11:50PM
    The room would be in use by a non paying tenant so you wouldnt pay bedroom tax on that room
  • My query is what level of support individuals will need not everyone who has the room has the skills. I note the council receive £10500 for every refugee to provide support but not.sure how this will be managed. For example would be nice to see local groups and activities set up where families can still meet and form further support bubbles. For hostss to be able to access interpreting language lines. 
  • Pennylane
    Pennylane Posts: 2,721 Forumite
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    I feel refugees would be better provided for if holiday parks and caravan sites were opened up for them.  They have gone  through enough trauma and heartache without being housed with a family they have nothing in common with. 

    There is so much to consider like language, like “getting on” with your new visitors, like missing your privacy etc.  What happens if you just don’t gel with your visitors ….. 6 months is a long time to try and work things out. I am assuming if either party is not happy then the agreement can be terminated but where do they go?  

    My late MIL used to invite herself here for two weeks at a time and after a week we were getting under each other's feet.  Even my husband breathed a sigh of relief when he took her home. 

    Not everybody is cut out to care for other people and we have all seen our bills shooting up and food prices increasing so what happens if after a few weeks we realise we have taken on too much?




  • I've been pondering this. After increased gas, electric, water, initial settling costs. I figured I'd be out of pocket. I don't think the money would cover settling the person into the new area and covering costs whilst their benefits were being sorted. I think the government need to think this out a little bit more. This is more than a bed and breakfast scenario. 
  • qwert10
    qwert10 Posts: 188 Forumite
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    edited 14 March 2022 at 6:33PM
    Says on gov website today it is not taxable. But there are lots of other questions. What if I pay single council tax? Will they be expected to pay the other 25 per cent? If they claim benefits how will it affect me? Also what about my house insurance just in case they break things?  Maybe more will become clear soon. 
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