Renting as a single mum in London. Let’s team up!

[Kaisy123]

Single mum can relate to how difficult to rent privately as a single mum as they usually prefer couples as two incomes better then one. So I am looking to team up with another single mum to privately rent in Central London.
I have a young toddler, so ideally someone with similar age child, so they can play together and make friends.

I am currently working part time but want to go back full time, so if another mum also will work full time, we could help each other with childcare, cause childcare is so expensive. So I could stay with kids on my days off and she could stay on her days off, then we would need nursery only one or two days a week, which is much more affordable.

so please let me know your thoughts, cause I can’t see any other solution to rent in decent area and get back full time then sharing house with another mum. This way, we won’t need to stay on benefits (that prevent us finding good flat and won’t need to spend whole monthly salary on nursery).

Of course, that’s the option. But those things can be worked out, just like being in relationships with a man. Still, in my opinion better, then living of benefits and hoping for smth better to come. This way, we can learn to get along, children can do so too, and most importantly, life never gives us guarantees, but we got to make it work! It’s not a perfect solution, but only a temporary one, till kids get older , so we can actually go and work full-time with no need for childcare. I am not saying that it’s gona be easy, but it’s easier then living alone and on benefits or working part-time( still need benefits), and have no support. I think it’s a good solution fir a while, not a perfect one of course.

Glad, it was useful the info. But the main thing is, it’s so important for single mums to connect and help each other out. It’s hard fir all of us, but it can be easier if we start working together)).

If this is what you're looking to do, I'd highly recommend the property software app MaryR. It basically helps you to buy together but own individually. Everything is bound in a deed of trust (so your shares of the property are kept intact in case the other party leaves). You can also track your shares of the property over time until, when the time comes, you too can sell them off. My friends did it when they all bought a house together and said that it was a really easy process. If it helps, here is the link to their website: www.maryr.co/
Good luck!

I’d love to chat about this!

I've always said this is a fantastic idea. In fact I'd have done it with a friend of mine but she has way too many dogs and it's too chaotic 😆. The issue is with such expensive rents it's not really a solution long term. It's ok to share a room with a toddler but as they get bigger they need their own and a bigger house in those areas probably isn't possible? . You'd need the perfect person so you complement each other and get on, then you need dc to get on. As it's so niche the pool of people to choose from is small which makes that harder to find. If only it was more common. I also think once older and the dc have left home some sort of communal living for single people should exist. Good luck on your search OP. I don't want to move to London or i might be interested

Thank you for your comment. Yes, rent prices went up so much and will probably keep going the sane direction in near future. So I am reconsidering this option. It could work very well before the recession I guess.

Hi, what are your circumstances? Where do you currently live? In London? Abs do you have family support?
as the recession started, I am reconsidering, however if we get along and have similar goals, I still think it can work. Let me know.

Hi, I am actually looking for a flat/house share with another single mum or single female. Single mum aged 45 with 5 year old DS. Looking to live in SW London. Get in touch if anyone is interested and wants to talk!

This is such a lovely idea OP. I live in one of the areas you mention and will be living alone with my two small children in the new year. I want some time alone and am fortunate enough to own my house, but you sound like someone I would love to be friends with!

In theory it is a great idea, although I myself would only share with someone I know well.

I'm a bit unsure of the

What benefits can you get while earning £40-60k??!

Sorry - numbers though, because like a previous poster I certainly don't get anything except child benefit and single person council tax reduction

What benefits can you get while earning £40-60k??!

You do get child benefit (about £80 per month) at 40k. And if you had no savings and were renting in London, you would get some help with rent. But if two adults both earning £40k were living together, I am unsure whether they would both get as much help with rent as the OP suggests.

I earn £55k now I'm PT and not entitled to anything

I earn £55k now I'm PT and not entitled to anything

It sounds like a good idea. Would work in any town or city if 2 like minded people worked together. Good luck. I hope you find a suitable partner.

The OP says you can get £700 her month - if you have a DC and rent in central London, earning 40K.

Great idea! I saw an article about this in the Guardian years ago. Good luck!

Hi and thank you for your lovely comment. Sorry to hear that you will become single next year, but hey, everything happens for the best. Please feel free to PM me, we can exchange contacts and meet for a coffee ☕️ sometime.

Hi, that is totally normal. I am not sure 100 percent either, but as a temporary solution I think it might work well. If you change your mind, or simply want to ask questions, please PM me.

Hi, I just double checked again on the benefits calculator and yes, if you earn 40k and share with another non relative adult, u are entitled to ( if your rent is fir example 800), to 977 per month. If you want, I can send you the link so you can see it fir yourself. I think they help mums that are private tenants in house share. If you live with a relative or on your own, the figure will be reduced. Hope this helps.

Check my reply to the precious comment. You will understand what I mean. Thank you fir your comment though.

Please check my response to another comment 2 min ago, you will understand why your situation is different. When you are sharing a flat with a non relative, they totally take that into account.

Please check my reply to previous comment 2 min ago. You will understand why you have a different situation. I checked just now- with your salary if you decide to share house with non relative adult, you can get 665 monthly to support you. Hope this helps

Thank you lovely