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Original poster

In need of money, but chronically ill

18 replies

Papayalady · 05/04/2019 11:15

Hi all. I've posted on here before about getting in a lodger, but as I'm on a very long, drawn-out recovery from a bad breakdown in 2017, I've been avoiding it. My symptoms are that of ME/ chronic fatigue and they can be pretty sporadic so having a tenant in the house will not help healthwise/ stress levels.
I've just been turned down for a benefit I was hoping to get so I need to re-think things. As a last resort, I may have to get in a lodger as I'm literally running out of money - I'm unable to work more than a few hours a week and have a mortgage (no benefits for that).
But what are the hidden costs of having a lodger?
I'm afraid of losing my current council tax relief, employment support allowance and I'll need to decorate the room which will cost me money as I'm too unwell to do it myself.
I'd have to buy a decent TV for the room too. Also, my water and energy bills with increase significantly, there'll be more wear and tear generally, and there's a possibility that my council tax and home insurance will increase.
At a rough estimate, I'll only be a few pounds better off plus I'll have someone else in my house while I'm unwell.
I'm at a loss as I bought the house when I thought I had a secure job with a supportive employer, but they forced me out just after I completed on the house, which they were fully aware of. Hence my situation.
Has anyone else found that taking in a lodger hasn't been worth it financially? Why?
I'm keen to hear other people's experiences, so I can potentially go into this with my eyes wide open.
TIA x

OP posts:
Original poster
Papayalady · 05/04/2019 11:21

Just to add: I'm 46 and if I'd not bought my first home last year, I would've had to spend my savings/ deposit on renting and would've lost my only opportunity to buy. At least I now have an asset despite the stress.

OP posts:
WhoaBettyWhite · 05/04/2019 11:23

Have you been diagnosed with CFS?

Dyrne · 05/04/2019 11:33

Would you absolutely need to decorate? As in, is the room in a state of disrepair or do you just want to pretty it up? Is it good enough that you could maybe ask a friend to do the painting for a small fee rather than having to fork out for a professional decorator? And you shouldn’t need to provide a TV, surely?

Do you live somewhere where there’s a market for Mon-Fri letting? That would give you a bit of breathing space at the weekend me and having that sort of professional means they’d be out most of the day.

What’s your work background/skills? Have you investigated sites like people per hour to pick up a bit of extra cash to work at your own pace?

Tomtontom · 05/04/2019 11:36

You could offer a few weeks reduced rent if they paint it themselves?

Which benefit have you been refused, and have you sought advice on appealing?

Original poster
Papayalady · 05/04/2019 12:03

I'm going through diagnosis at the moment. Just waiting for a hospital appointment to come through.

OP posts:
Original poster
Papayalady · 05/04/2019 12:07

@Dyrne I like the idea of asking a friend to do it, or I can arrange a pizza and paint 'party'. I've been told getting a TV will give a lodger a nicer environment - and encourage them to stay in their room.
Mon-Fri would be ideal, however, that might not be worth it if it leaves me in the negative (as a result of increased bills, etc).
I'm a freelance writer/ PR and am working as much as I can at the moment so any more work will be too much sadly.

OP posts:
Original poster
Papayalady · 05/04/2019 12:09

@TomTonTom - It's PIP. It's notoriously difficult to get for 'invisible' / mental health related illnesses. It was so stressful, I never want to go through it again and I doubt an appeal would get me anywhere.

OP posts:
SaskiaRembrandt · 05/04/2019 12:50

I doubt an appeal would get me anywhere.

I can understand why you might not want to appeal, but from what I've read, when people appeal with support (CAB, a disability advice organisation) there is a very high rate of the original rejection being overturned.

Maybe have a chat with someone to see what your options are, then go ahead with an appeal if you feel up to it. It would be a shame if you were missing out on much need money.

dirtystinkyrats · 05/04/2019 16:24

CAB will do all the appeal paperwork with you if you ring for an appointment. If you think you meet the criteria please follow through with mandatory reconsideration and appeal. Over 70% of appeals are won by the claimant.

Busholive · 05/04/2019 16:31

PIP decision is defiantly worth appealing! As previous posters said the majority of people win their case.

HollowTalk · 05/04/2019 16:39

Have you only had a mortgage for a year, then? Is your illness that recent?

Are you in an area where it would be easy to rent?

I just can't see how you could earn enough through renting a room to make a huge difference. It sounds as though you'd need to get a cleaner in for communal areas if you had a lodger, as you don't sound well enough to do it yourself.

HollowTalk · 05/04/2019 16:44

Sorry, just seen since 2017. The start of mortgage payments are always the worst. So sorry you've been ill.

Footle · 05/04/2019 19:21

Won't most lodgers be using a laptop for entertainment? Don't bother with a TV.

S0faSl33p6 · 06/04/2019 07:59

If you are in UK you can rent a room in your home and earn £7,500 per year without paying tax. Look at www.gov.uk/rent-room-in-your-home/the-rent-a- room-scheme
Secondly, if you have been working, can you claim contributions based job seekers allowance. However, they will not pay your mortgage, there is now a government loan. Suggest you contact the bank about mortgage payments

S0faSl33p6 · 06/04/2019 08:02

I've rented different rooms in shared houses, I've never had a TV. However, I was always out of the house working more than one job. Suggest provide bed, wardrobe, cupboard for clothes. How about renting to a professional who lives somewhere else, but needs to live where you are for their work.

Sooverthemill · 06/04/2019 08:12

It's incredibly hard to focus when you have ME type illness, I think it would be worth getting professional benefits advice eg CAB or similar. You don't say where you live but link here can help you find a local advice centre.

Actuon for ME can give condition specific advice too. You may be able to get income related ESA even if not contribution based ESA. PIP can be hard without good medical evidence. But persevere. Good luck

ginandtonicformeplease · 06/04/2019 08:39

I rent a room Mon-Fri. Honestly, I don't care about a tv - I have a laptop and Netflix, and most other Mon-Fri lodgers I know are the same. I have access to the kitchen but not the living room - you can decide which areas of the house you want them to have access to.

Does the room need more than a lick of paint? If that's all it needs, could a friend help with that?

NeverTwerkNaked · 07/04/2019 22:26

I am sure they won’t need a tV, just wifi....

Could you use a small amount of the money from the lodger to pay for a cleaner once a week- even for an hour? Will help you and keep it rentable

You are right to want to check any potential impact on benefits etc though- you would need to get good advice on this

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