room to rent...single mum??

[Sunflowersmiling]

Hi, well I'm starting to think about renting out a room to another single mum. We live in a little village in North cumbria, just 2 doors away from an outstanding village school within a fantastic, traditional community. I have a large spare room, and just wondering whether there is anyone else out there on their own, who understands the 'only child/lone parent' challenge...and who might be interested in renting??

Think you need to put that on gumtree and/or local paper. Ad up in local newsagent or shop wouldn't hurt either. Good luck!

Thanks Flowerpot, it's there in the back of my head still to do. :)

Try spareroom.co.uk too.

I think it's a good idea but ideally you need two spare rooms for it to work and parenting styles could be totally different. I.e their toddler running amok whilst your DC try to sleep etc.

Just some practical suggestions
The government website has info on being a resident landlord. The first Shelter link is directed at people who are having problems with mortgages and the second is about lodgers in general.

Not sure if it mentions but note that if you are on your own at the moment you will lose single person discount on council tax.
www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home
m.england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/repossession/mortgage_arrears/renting_out_a_room
m.england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/sharing_and_subletting/lodgers

Thanks :) sorry for slow reply I've been with flu all christmas. I do have two rooms potentially, although one is in use at the moment and our spare bedroom is huge, would easily convert into two (with a window each). I've thought about that. I hadn't thought about council tax tho. Or if parenting styles were very different. I guess sharing /learning different parenting styles could be a positive thing too? Thanks for the link...I will take a look x

In theory sounds like a fantastic idea. The company and friendship of another adult who understands just how tough being a lone parent is, extra financial help etc. But it could also be a bloody nightmare if she turned out to be very different, have a horrible boyfriend lurking in the background, saw you as free childcare, you just didn't click. It's just a case of finding the right person, ask loads of questions, meet up several times before moving day etc. The best option is o robably someone you already know or someone a good friend knows really well. Is there anyone from school, old mother and baby clubs? Also, if she is downsizing from a house/flat can your house accommodate all those belongings?

I really hope it works out for you, it's an interesting idea and could be wonderful!

Thank you! Well I've still not gone for it. ..but haven't ruled it out completely. I lover the idea
..the reality tho is probably much much harder.

I think it's a great idea to get a lodger, but I think it could be a nightmare (as said above) if it went wrong. Why not go for a lodger without kids?

In theory it's a great idea. Maybe post on MN Cumbria? Though it's very quiet there. Local FB site?

Have you heard of work awayers? You go to website, ( something like workaway.Com, you'll find it), and can be really specific about what help you need, and likely people match themselves with you. They do 5 his work a day for room and food. childcare, cleaning, gardening, whatever. Often they are traveling the world, and are interesting intelligent people. Lots of single mums I know use them.

Thanks all. I kind of think another parent be better as they will understand quiet nights/kids needs. Hmm I had a lodger year ago who wrecked my house n bought a stream of strange drunk men in at weekends. She was a professional too! She threw up I'm the bath n refused to clean it. Flushed an apple down the loo n blocked it. Set fire to my kitchen worktop i had just put in. Nightmare. I was thinking other mum as our local village school is very highly saught after. Its a good opportunity for someone to get our the city n raise their DC in the countryside..who couldn't otherwise afford it. House prices here are really high...my mortgage is too...hence lodger thoughts!!

I think I've talked myself out of it again tho....Remembering that crazy lodger I had to evict. Ha ha!

I need the cash so a room for jobs wouldn't work for us...but thanks for the link! Xx

That should have read years ago...not a year ago! Taken me 15 years to recover from that lodger!! :-D

sunflower hope this hasn't put you off too much, it's a fab idea if you can get it to work. Your village sounds idyllic, I was half tempted just reading your posts ;)

Ah ah yes i think it is idyllic in many ways, and its a lovely safe area to raise kids, we came from the city centre so big contrasts. I'm not completely put off, but I guess the posts have given me a lot to think about that I hadn't considered, if it really didn't work out for either us or the lodger, then we are both stuck. I'm sure if everything was considered before hand and maybe shared house rules agreed on then it could have good chance of working well. And the school here is great, lovely play park, community projects, fab pub (I've not yet been in, but they get rave reviews!) Lots to think about. For now im going to hold off actively looking but if someone came along who was interested I wouldn't rule it out. :-)