Is there a market for lone parents with extra space renting out rooms/annexes to other lone parents?

[Ilovemygarden]

I can afford to stay in the family home (just), which is a roomy four-bed with a gorgeous big garden. DS is settled here. I love my garden and the village. DS's school is superb. So I'd like to stay. But this means throwing all my money into the house, which takes quite a bit of looking after, not to mention keeping on top of the big garden. And DS and I do rattle around in it a bit TBH.

I wondered, if we converted part of the house to a one-bed (maybe two at a push) flat, and/or added a self-contained annexe in the garden, if other lone parents would be interested in living with us. Then I'd have some extra income which would help me look after the place, and reduce the hours I'd need to work. And DS would have a potential playmate or two, and the parents would have some company, and we could all enjoy the garden, but we'd all still have our own space.

What do you think? Would this be something any of you would be interested in? How much of your own space would you be after and what would you be prepared/able to pay? Would you be willing to help with the garden? And where would I advertise the annexe(s) for rent to reach the kind of tenants I'd be after?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm having a big brainstorm today about our living situation, and this idea is crying out to be explored.

Thanks.

deepnds where you are as to the amrket /potential for suitable tenants i guess...all you can do is advertise adn see who applies!

but jsut coz someone else is an LP - doesnt mean you gonna share same interests or get along etc.

is nice idea tho and if it worked out would be great - but all dependent on right person looking for accomodation at right time.

why not get a nice fit Mellors type to rent from you ....

I'd think about it.. where are you?

Thanks for posting.

We live in a lovely village in Hampshire. It's idyllic - apart from there being so many smug happily marrieds here, which is lovely and all but can be a bit in-your-face when you're a lone parent. I think I'm one of about three lone parents here. So that could be offputting I suppose, and maybe there just aren't that many lone parents round here?

I wouldn't expect to share the same interests with another lone parent living with us. I'd need to get along with them well enough though. I think you're right - that it would depend a lot on the right person looking at the right time.

Am I being thick to not know what a "nice fit Mellors type" is?

Alfie, we're not ready yet! I'd need to do a bit of building work first. But I'm encouraged you're a bit curious.

Wish you lived in my area, I am desperately trying to find a house!

Perhaps you could contact your local sure start centre or even women's aid branch and ask them to pass your details on to anyone who might be interested, or have you got a branch of gingerbread locally?

Other than that an ad in local paper/supermarket/corner shop/etc briefly mentioning you are interested in a house share with other single mum(s) and see what replies you get? You could have an informal chat with any prospective tenants (ie an interview - but interview sounds scary!).

Also have a look at www.spareroom.co.uk to see whether it might be worth putting an ad on there.

Hi. I have a four bedroom house for just ds and I and a couple of months ago I bit the bullet and rented a room out. It is the perfect arrangement - my lodger stays four nights a week then goes home at weekends, returns on a Monday evening or tuesday eveniong.

We share the roomy kitchen and bathroom. I charge her 300 pounds a month.

Under the government's excellent rent-a-room scheme you do not have to pay any tax on the income if it brings in under £4,500 or thereabouts.

It is perfect as I don't lose any of the other benefits of being a LP on a very low income (eg in my case, tax credits (unaffected) and lower water bills) because she doesn't live here.

I don't know how much extra income you are looking to generate but this works well for me.

I think if you shell out on converting rooms into bedsits etc (I looked into that too) there is the initial expense plus having to declare the income which might raise your tax credits.

Also, she is a bit of company in the week but not here at weekends so I can still play loud music and dance round the kitchen til midnight without worrying I am disturbing her AND still have friends to stay on weekends sometimes.

Perfik!