Homeshare for Older Householders: Stay Independent, Connected, and Supported

Here's what you need to know

Millions of older people in the UK live alone in homes with spare bedrooms. Many manage perfectly well — but many also experience loneliness, find certain tasks increasingly difficult, or simply want the reassurance of someone else being around. Many older couples would appreciate these benefits too.

Mutually beneficial homeshare offers a powerful, practical solution that allows older householders to stay in the home they love, maintain their independence, and gain the company and support that makes a real difference to daily life.

What is homeshare for older householders?

In a homeshare arrangement, an older householder (the "host") offers a spare room to a lodger in exchange for a room below-market-rent and some of the lodger's time to lend a free hand. It can be up to 8 hours per week, on a flexible basis, to provide anything from companionship to helping around the home.

The lodger isn't a carer. They're a household companion — someone to cook with, or to have cook for you, to share meals with, have a conversation with, help with the weekly shop, or lend a hand with all kinds of tasks that have become harder over time from opening jars to fixing light bulbs. Many hosts also gain peace of mind knowing there is an extra presence overnight in case of falls.

Intergenerational homeshares with younger lodgers bring together two perspectives. Older hosts can see the changing world through younger eyes, while others feel purposeful sharing their experiences and wisdom with younger people. See this short film of Allan and Grace.

Meanwhile some lodgers seeking affordable rooms are older, and you may find someone of a similar age who would just make good company and join you in a trip down memory lane or help you to relive your youth!

For many older hosts, these kinds of homeshare arrangements are transformative.

The loneliness problem

The numbers are stark. According to Age UK, more than 2 million people in England over the age of 75 live alone. Over a million older people say they go more than a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour, or family member.

Loneliness has measurable health consequences. Research has linked chronic loneliness to increased risk of dementia, depression, cardiovascular disease, and early death. The impact is comparable to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Homeshare directly addresses this. Having someone in the home — sharing meals, sharing the odd evening, simply being there — is one of the most effective interventions for loneliness. And unlike a day service or a scheduled visit, it's there every day.

What does a homeshare lodger actually do?

The scope for compatible homesharing is infinite - the specifics depend on the arrangement you agree with your lodger, but common examples include:

• Sharing meals together — cooking for each other or eating together occasionally
• Sharing your interests — walking, chess, yoga - having a partner can increase your motivation
• Help with the weekly food shop or other errands
• Assistance with technology — phones, computers, video calls to family
• Help with household tasks — DIY fixes, gardening, pet care
• Simply being present — giving family members peace of mind

It's important to be clear: homeshare is not a substitute for professional care. If you require medical care, personal care, or significant practical support, you should speak to your GP or local authority about the care packages available to you.

But for the many older householders who are independent, fit and well, but who would benefit from company and help, mutually beneficial, practical homeshare is an excellent solution.

The financial benefits

Your lodger pays you rent for the room — and as a host using the UK Rent a Room Scheme, you can earn up to £7,500 per year tax-free from a lodger. This applies to the gross rental income, not profit — so there's no need to track expenses.

For many hosts on a fixed income or pension, this is a meaningful financial boost. It can cover those rising household bills, fund home improvements or holidays, or simply give you greater financial comfort.

It can impact your council tax if you have a single person discount, but the financial gain would likely far outweigh that loss, and if your lodger is a full time student it wouldn't affect it.

How safe is it?

Members need to be able to navigate the online matching site, or if not, to get help from a trusted family member or friend, at which point safety is the question that matters most. When using hapipod, there are certain important considerations.

hapipod requires an independent Yoti-powered identity verification of every member before they can contact you. When a lodger messages you through hapipod you can have a level of confidence that they are who they say they are.

Further background checks, however, are essential. It is recommended that a trusted family member or friend helps you through the entire selection and set-up process within our recommended safeguarding framework, and keeps an eye on your homeshare, to make sure everyone is getting along successfully. hapipod's safeguarding guidelines offer extensive guidance on this. hapipod does not monitor homeshares once organised and cannot be responsible for their outcomes.

Importantly:

• All contact starts through hapipod's secure messaging system — no personal details are shared until you choose to share them
• Every member must abide by our code of conduct
• hapipod provides extensive safeguarding guidelines for members
• Our support team is available throughout your matching process

Involving your family

Adult children often have concerns about a parent living alone — and a well-matched homeshare lodger can provide genuine reassurance.

Some hosts say the best outcome of their homeshare wasn't the company for themselves — it was the peace of mind it gave their children, who no longer worried about a parent being alone, or having to rush over to help with minor things.

How to get started

1. Create a hapipod host profile at hapipod.com/register. It's simple and takes around 15 minutes.
2. Describe your home and what you're looking for — the kind of person who would suit your lifestyle, the type of help that would be most useful, and your daily routine. Upload appealing photos of the room and property.
3. Verify your identity — hapipod's Yoti verification helps protect you and your lodger.
4. Browse lodger profiles and shortlist people you'd like to connect with.
5. Exchange messages through hapipod's secure platform and arrange for the lodger to visit, and make sure a trusted family member or friend joins you for that.
6. Conduct thorough background checks including ID, DBS (Criminal record certificates) and References
7. Agree your terms — rent, expected hours, house rules — and begin your homeshare.

What hosts say

“Our hapipod arrangement suits us all well and our lodger is a charming and helpful young person who takes care of our house when I am away and keeps my elderly husband company. I’ve been very impressed. — Jennifer, 70s, Semi-retired host in Lewes

“I couldn't wish for a better lodger. She's not actually around that much, but when she is, she is very helpful, and we have interesting discussions.” — Stephen, 80s, Retired host in London

Ready to find your lodger?

Create a free host profile on hapipod today. Browse verified lodger profiles in your area and find someone who's right for your home and your life.

View host membership plans — including our free tier with no credit card required.

Questions? Read our FAQ page or contact us — we're here to help.