Go to Helpful Housemates website
Unity Living is a sister company of  Share and Care Homeshare the largest and most experienced Homeshare provider in the UK since 2006. Unity Living has been developed for those Hosts who don't require as much help and support as a Homeshare arrangement offers, but who would still value the reassurance of a carefully matched and vetted lodger who will pay them some rent and can also offer up to 5 hours of low level support and friendship each week.
Helpful Housemates- A lodger who pays some rent and gives some help

What is a Helpful Housemate?


A Helpful Housemate is a lodger who can offer up to a few hours of their time each week to the Host in exchange for paying them lower-than-market rent. This help can be offered in one  block or spread out over the week. Helpful Housemates are happy to offer this very low level support and friendship in exchange for a home to live in. 

  • The Host has a home they are willing to share and would benefit from receiving a very low level of practical help and/or friendship.                                          
  • The Helpful Housemate benefits from affordable accommodation and is willing to give a few hours of practical support – such as sharing the occasional meal, shopping, changing lightbulbs, computer assistance - in return.

Both the Host and their Helpful Housemate can feel safe and gain from the arrangement.


How is a Helpful Housemate different to a lodger


A lodger pays full market rent and is free to come and go at will. A Helpful Housemate pays a little less rent and offers up to  5 hours a week of very low level pratical support and company. There is a detailed agreement in place which includes 'house rules' and expectations.


Why you may need a Helpful Housemate

  • You may be recently retired but would benefit from some extra income
  • You may be independent but lonely at home
  • You may like the idea of a lodger but feel daunted by the process of finding someone

Matching your Helpful Housemate


When matching a Host with a Helpful Housemate, Unity Living starts by getting to know you, and gives advice on all aspects of renting a room. Unity Living then starts a search and performs an interview and vetting process with potential Housemates to assess their suitability and compatibility. 


Who is a Helpful Housemate


Helpful Housemates are 21 years old or over and are usually working or studying. They are responsible, friendly and caring and welcome the opportunity of affordable accommodation and making a new friend.


Why use Unity Living


Unity Living is run by the team behind Share and Care Homeshare which is the largest homeshare organisation in the UK. We have a great track record of making happy matches and are experts on interviewing and carrying out relevant checks including references, Right to Rent, ID, Credit Checks and DBS checks. We will draw up a comprehensive licence agreement to cover all aspects of the arrangement. 


Costs


Unity Living fees to the Host * 


Registration Fee: £60 inc VAT- non-refundable fee payable in advance -payable at the start of the search- this is a token payment towards advertising costs, plus the interviewing and reference checks. 


Completion Fee: £360 inc VAT– final fee payable on the day the Helpful Housemate moves in - includes a Housemate Licence Agreement and vetting of the selected Helpful Housemate [ID, right to rent, credit and DBS checks].


Monthly Retainer Fee: £36 inc VAT – for ad hoc advice and to keep the arrangement under the Unity Living Helpful Housemate Licence Agreement.


*reduced fees for returning Hosts


The Helpful Housemate pays to the Host

  • Rent between (£250-£600 pcm depending on location and room size and condition)
  • Contribution to Council Tax and household bills

We ask our Helpful Housemates to commit for at least 6 months.  However, we understand that situations can change on both sides, and a notice period of one calendar month is included in all agreements.



Helpful Housemates is available in Greater London, cities and towns across the UK
From a daughter whose mother has a Helpful Housemate;  " I just wanted to say that my mother and M are so happy together. It's a perfect match and my mother is so content and relaxed having her there and M seems delighted too with the arrangement. Thank you very much. I'm recommending your agency to all my friends with oldies on their own. Best wishes, B N

How to sign up

If you are interested in having a Helpful Housemate please go to the Helpful Housemates website or call us on 0203 983 0809 to receive a registration form and discuss your situation further.
  • Complete registration form 
  • Unity Living contacts Host for discussion
  • Unity Living commences search 
  • Housemate matched and referenced checked by Unity Living
  • Housemate introduced to Host
  • Licence agreement and vetting completed 
  • Housemate moves in 
  • I only have one bathroom; can I still have a Helpful Housemate?

    Yes. We would make it clear to a potential Helpful Housemate that there is only one bathroom and ask you (the Host) and your Helpful Housemate to leave it clean after use.

  • Will a Helpful Housemate use my washing machine?

    Yes, and we recommed this. However, if you are concerned about the amount of laundry a Helpful Housemate may do each week, we can discuss this with you during the Property Visit and with any potential Helpful Housemate.

  • Will I have to share my kitchen and reception room?

    The Helpful Housemate will share your kitchen. Many Hosts will allocate a space in the fridge and in a cupboard to the Helpful Housemate for their own items. All Helpful Housemates are asked to wash up and clean the kitchen after use. 

  • Who is my Helpful Housemate likely to be?

    Helpful Housemates are aged 19 and over. They come from all walks of life and are working or studying in London. During our Property Visit, Unity Living will ask questions about your hobbies and interests and how you live your life in order to match you with a compatible Helpful Housemate.

  • Will it affect my Council Tax and will I have to pay tax on the income?

    Will it affect my Council Tax and will I have to pay tax on the income?

    If you live alone and would like to take in a Helpful Housemate, you need to bear in mind that you may lose the 25% Single Person discount on your Council Tax. There may be some exceptions, for example if the Helpful Housemate is a full-time student. A Helpful Housemate can be asked to make a contribution to Council Tax.

    If you are a taxpayer, the government's 'Rent a Room' scheme allows resident landlords to earn £7,500 each year tax free. More information is available on the gov.uk website. The rent received from a Helpful Housemate is therefore usually tax-free. 

Interested in being a Helpful Housemate?
  • You pay a lower-than-market rent to your Host and, as a ‘thank you’, you offer up to 5 hours of low level help* and company each week.
       *Depending on their situation this could be helping with technology (eg sending emails or setting up Facetime), hoovering, sweeping leaves or  occasional shopping, and will be discussed in advance. 
  • You are carefully matched with a Host who you can also build a friendship with, someone you will enjoy a chat with at the end of a working day.
  • Unity Living discusses with each Host prior to  finding a Helpful Housemate their requirements and expectations, assess the accommodation, and gives advice on any updates or changes they may need to make to ensure the accommodation is suitable.
  • Unity Living also carries out the necessary checks on you, the Helpful Housemate, to give your Host peace-of-mind.
  • After an arrangement has been agreed, Unity Living draws up a Housemate Licence Agreement between you and your Host, which will also include any ‘house rules’.
  • Unity Living remains on hand for the duration of your stay with your Host to give advice on any queries which may arise.
Monthly rent is from £250 up to £600 per month, plus a contribution to bills. 
A deposit of one month's rent will be required by the Host. If you are interested in becoming a Helpful Housemate please go to Helpful Housemates website for opportunities and further information.

As a ‘Helpful Housemate’ you are a lodger who lives in the same home as your landlord ‘Host’. Helpful Housemates are typically aged 21+ and looking for a home for a minimum of 6 months. Currently opportunities for Helpful Housemates are only in London and major cities at present.