Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Will you be opening your home up to Ukrainian refugees?

999 replies

musicalfrog · 11/03/2022 08:03

Interested to see how popular this will be considering so many of us want desperately to make a tangible difference.

My OH wouldn't be up for it I don't think, and we don't have a spare room so I will avoid that particular argument. But otherwise I think it would be such a great thing to do.

The govt is asking for a minimum commitment of 6 months. Will you be signing up?

OP posts:
Tulipomania · 11/03/2022 12:17

Yes. We have already registered our interest with the Ukrainian embassy and placed an ad on a website for refugees, before the UK government announcement.

We are lucky to live in a house with plenty of space and our 2 adult DC are not around much any more.

It was actually DH's idea but we are both on board with it.

scoobydo99 · 11/03/2022 12:17

@Pyewhacket

*But the government should be the ones to at the first instance be supporting refugees

After that if individuals want to step up and offer accommodation then great but it feels like it’s just a way for the government to get out of their responsibility*

............ So you think the government can suddenly magic-up accommodation for up to 1/2 million people, on top of the 150, 000 or so migrants who invade the south coast on a daily basis.

Take a lesson from the Polish people and start looking at what you PERSONALLY can do to help. Being an arse doesn't help anybody and makes you look inadequate.

But the situation in Poland is different - refugees flooding in with no time to plan and a real immediate need. What the Government is proposing in the UK is a medium term plan, not a short term emergency one. I think "billeting" refugees with vetted families in the short term while more appropriate measures are developed is very different from expecting them to stay for 6 months. And yes, refugees have been staying with families in the UK for many years, but this is as part of a more comprehensive programme.
Bromse · 11/03/2022 12:17

I am in no position to do so but would if I could (happy to explain why if asked but would prefer not to have my life story displayed publicly :-). The ideal thing would be if I had a house with a 'granny annexe' over the garage or another property elsewhere - but I don't. However there are other things I can do, including helping refugees who come here.

AlandAnna · 11/03/2022 12:17

Maybe. My husband surprised me by saying he would consider it. We haven’t a lot of room and our family bathroom isn’t the best. But maybe.

Egghead68 · 11/03/2022 12:17

No.

Readyforspring · 11/03/2022 12:18

No as we couldn't afford it.

AbsoluteTruths · 11/03/2022 12:18

No chance.

Scianel · 11/03/2022 12:19

No, although I have room. I have a chronic illness and find having people staying even for a short time stressful and exhausting, never mind some poor traumatised person for months.

But I do think those that do are to be admired and are better people than I.

Xenia · 11/03/2022 12:20

Do check the legal side of things too - eg most mortgage companies to buy to let landlords may not allow multiple occupancy and nor will most shorthold tenancies for good reasons including safety, fire risks etc.

Heronatemygoldfish · 11/03/2022 12:20

I just inherited a house (cry) and I'd love to be able to put a family up in it, but I'm not sure I could afford the bills on top of my own house's. Also I suspect the place/electrics needs a lot of work before I'd be allowed.

But I'm going to find out.

CannaBelieve · 11/03/2022 12:20

No

We would have to support them and their mental health

reallyneedmoresleep · 11/03/2022 12:21

What happens at the end of the 6 months?
It’s something I’d consider but wouldn’t want a long term houseguest yet would struggle to turf someone out with nowhere to go.

Trinacham · 11/03/2022 12:22

I liked the idea of it but on further thinking it wouldn't be practical. We have a 7 week old baby. We have a spare room but we use it as storage space at current, and our 2 cats sleep in there, and it's where all their stuff is.

MrsWinters · 11/03/2022 12:24

No, given the very little protections given to landlords, I would be worried that after 6 months or a year I would then struggle to be able to get my home back if needed.
We have a spare room, but are trying for a baby, I would worry that if after 6 months we needed to serve notice that I wouldn’t be able to.

ClariceQuiff · 11/03/2022 12:24

If they can put up with cat hair, cigarette smoke and general dilapidation, they'd be welcome.

Frenchfancy · 11/03/2022 12:25

We are on the list, but supply here is currently outstripping demand.

Cryofthecurlew · 11/03/2022 12:26

Clicked on refugees at home link apparently you have to live in a city that knocks me outc🙁.
To all those seriously considering it I hope it works out for you.

SpeckledlyHen · 11/03/2022 12:26

If I was still living in my old house I would say yes. I had a bit downstairs that wasn't quite an annex but it was a double room, with en-suite and bi fold doors going out to the garden. It could be separate to the rest of the house for privacy and also with the doors whoever could come and go as they please. I guess it depends on the layout and your circumstances but there for the grace of god and all that and I would hope someone would offer the same if I ever found myself in a similar position. Sadly, i am currently renting and waiting to move into my new house so it is too complex to offer at the moment.

ClaudineClare · 11/03/2022 12:27

@MrsWinters

No, given the very little protections given to landlords, I would be worried that after 6 months or a year I would then struggle to be able to get my home back if needed. We have a spare room, but are trying for a baby, I would worry that if after 6 months we needed to serve notice that I wouldn’t be able to.
People who live in your home are lodgers don't have the same protections as tenants

www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/subletting-and-lodging/lodging-index/what-rights-do-lodgers-have/

Sonygirl23 · 11/03/2022 12:27

A hard no from us and from my family

CannaBelieve · 11/03/2022 12:29

Your address will then potentially be used for credit applications

Just be careful with that aspect

FuckIDunno · 11/03/2022 12:30

No.

I value my space and privacy.
I couldn’t ask my children to give up their space and privacy.
I don’t speak Ukrainian.
I wouldn’t feel comfortable leaving strangers alone in my house, or with my kids.
I’m not in a position to support traumatised individuals.
I can’t afford it. The rising food/fuel/utilities prices are currently crippling me.
You can’t just chuck them out if it’s not working out for whatever reason.
My house is too small for everyone to live comfortably without being on top of each other.

UggyPow · 11/03/2022 12:31

I would love to be able to but with an autistic teen who can’t handle change & both teenagers doing exams this summer it just won’t be possible

ginswinger · 11/03/2022 12:31

Yes, we rent out a room in our house via airbnb and they have a scheme to offer free or partial rent for refugees. I would love to offer it for free but we do depend on the income so we've knocked off more than 50% and we'll just manage.

Stable housing is a basic need for everyone.

JustDanceAddict · 11/03/2022 12:32

We don’t have room so it’s a no from me. I did donate to the appeal and happy to donate goods etc where needed.
If I had a bigger house with dedicated spare rooms/bathroom I would think more seriously about it. I’m 3rd generation and from refugee stock myself.