Share my Home Terms & Conditions
Welcome to Share my Home and thank you for your interest in our Homeshare programme!
Listed below are answers to the frequently asked questions posed by prospective applicants. Please note that the answers below are for informational purposes only. If it sounds like Share my Home will be a good fit for you, please get in touch with us at hello@sharemyhome.co.uk and someone will be in touch to discuss next steps.
Definitions:
The Householder: is a person who is offering accommodation in exchange for 10-15 hours of weekly company and or home-help.
The Companion is a home-seeker between the ages of 25 and 55 who is ready and able to provide 10-15 hours of weekly company or home-help in exchange for accommodation. The Companion typically works or studies locally to the Householder.
Share my Home is a registered homeshare organisation. It provides a comprehensive and trusted homeshare service for an affordable fee. Share my Home skilfully matches compatible individuals together for a beneficial living experience. Share my Home also acts as a facilitator to monitor and support the shared living arrangement.
Frequently asked questions:
1. “Does Share my Home perform background checks on applicants?”
All our applicants are intensively screened and vetted for safety. We follow a robust quality and assurance framework and adhere to Homeshare UK standards. We take up Police Checks and professional references for all our Companions. Robust screening includes ID, visa and reference checks. In-keeping with our high quality and safety standards, we only accept a small proportion of applicants we receive.
2. “What do you mean by Home-help and Company? “
Home-help tasks vary but are not dissimilar to things the Companion would normally carry out as part of their every-day life.
Tasks can include making a morning cuppa, cooking and eating together, general upkeep of the home, running errands, grocery shopping, putting away the shopping, managing the recycling. The tasks are flexible and can include sharing of interests that are important to the individual such as going to the theatre, or doing some gardening or even getting on top of admin.
Share my Home supports the Householder and Companion articulate which tasks are carried out, as long as they are in keeping with our values of an enjoyed shared living experience.
Agreed tasks will be itemised in the Homeshare Agreement and are a useful checklist to refer to especially at the early stages of the homeshare agreement.
3. “How do I know if I am a right person to be a Companion?”
You know you are the right person if:
You love helping others and lending a helping hand, ‘pitching-in’ when you can.
People that know you well, describe you as ‘warm, friendly, thoughtful and kind’.
You have a mature outlook on life and enjoy getting to know people from different walks of life.
You have had experience working or living with older people or you plan to do some volunteer work.
You value home life and are considerate and respectful with how people choose to live their lives.
4. “What is the Homeshare Agreement?”
It is a formal document setting out the terms of the agreement between Share my Home, the Householder and the Companion throughout the homesharing period. After a successful match and trial period, the agreement is drawn up with close consultation from the Householder, their next of kin and the Companion. The agreement outlines important details such as:
Code of conduct and friendship pledge
Housekeeping and ground rules
The Companion tasks to be completed and preferred times of the week these are completed.
The minimum commitment duration term. For example, a minimum of 9-month commitment.
The notice period which is a minimum of 30 days’ notice given by either Party.
The role of Share my Home and its support throughout the Homeshare together with accompanying fees.
5. “What is the Share my Home Monthly Fee?”
Both the Householder and the Companion pay a nominal monthly fee to Share my Home for the duration of the Homeshare to cover the continuing administrative and monitoring costs incurred. The first payment is due on the date the Companion moves in and is subsequently paid on that day every month. The charges are as follows:
Ø Householder Monthly Fee - £80 per month.
Ø Companion Monthly Fee - £150-£180 per month.
6. “What if I change my mind during the Homeshare?”
In rare circumstances things might not work out. If you are dissatisfied with the homeshare arrangement contact us so that we can resolve things amicably and efficiently. We are available 7 days a week for your peace of mind.
7. “What is the trial stay period?”
A trial weekend is a wonderful opportunity for the Householder and Companion to get to know each other. A trial stay is important for each party to have a real understanding and sense of the Homeshare agreement and commitment arrangement. The trial stay can be over the working week or weekend usually a period of a few nights.
8. “Can the Companion go on holiday?”
As the Homeshare can be a long-term arrangement for some, it is important that the Companion is able to take holidays. The Companion is able to take holidays and weekend breaks as usual. The Companion would plan in advance and inform the Householder and Share my Home as set out in the Homeshare agreement.
9. “Can the Companion have friends visiting ?”
We ask that the Companion would socialise with their friends outside of the home. Once the Householder and Companion know each other well, they may agree that a Companion’s friend or family member may visit and meet the Householder. The Companion’s friends are not able to stay overnight.
10. “Who pays the council tax?”
Full time students are exempt from council tax. If the Companion is a full-time student then the Householder would lose their Single Person’s discount as a result. The Householder may wish to ask the Companion to contribute towards the Council Tax – up to £30 per month. This should be mutually agreed before the move in date.
11. “Who pays the household bills?”
The Companion pays a small contribution to the Householder for utility bills which include the electricity, gas and water. This amount should be nominal, up to £20 per month.
12. “Who pays the food bills?”
Both the Householder and Companion pay for their own food bill. Should the Companion and Householder eat together on a regular basis, the Companion would pay a contribution of the grocery bills to the Householder.
13. “Does the Companion pay rent as well?”
The Companion is not a paying lodger. Therefore, the Companion does not pay the Householder rent.
14. “Do we require insurance? If so, who pays?”
We recommend the Householder informs their home insurance provider. Companions are recommended to take out liability insurance and insure their own belongings. We can provide you with the contact names of affordable insurance providers starting from £6 per month.
15. “Is the Companion expected to help with personal care?”
In keeping with our values of friendship and a shared living experience, Companions do not support with any personal or medical care (bathing or personal hygiene) or manual handling tasks. These tasks are suited to a professional and trained carer.