REAL LIFE
womansweekly.com 13
JacquelineWright,61,isa
supermarket assistant and
lives in Manchester.
Eight years ago, in November
2011, I was on the cusp of a
new life. I’d accepted a job in
Gibraltar and had sold my
house in Manchester.
When the job fell through
unexpectedly, I was at a loss.
But after living with my
son Daniel, 34, for six months,
I decided to rent a two-
bedroom flat in the city,
in order to start again.
Paying rent isn’t cheap –
so, after getting permission
from my landlord, I decided
to let my spare room to help
make ends meet.
Then, in early 2017, when
I was browsing a local group
on Facebook, I saw a
post that changed my life.Someonewitha short-term
role at Media City was looking
to rent a room for a few weeks.
I got in touch, and soon had my
first temporary guest.
My first lodger was a girl called
Sam, in her 20s. She was working
backstage on a TV show and
stayed for a couple of weeks.
On the first evening, I cooked
up a chilli and we sat chatting
for a while, which I think eased
both our nerves about meeting
someone new.
After Sam’s stay, I began
answering other ads from
people looking for short-term
accommodation, and I now rent
my room regularly.
It’s been great fun, and I’ve
met some fascinating characters,
who always have plenty of
behind-the-scenes gossip!
I’ve rented to ballet dancers,runnersworking on popular
TV shows like The League of
Gentlemen – and even a man who
writes questions for University
Challenge and Mastermind!
I don’t advertise, so only
respond to posts when I feel the
person will be a good fit.
People ask whether I find it
daunting to welcome strangers
into my home – but I always think
that it’s probably as scary for
them as it is for me!
So far, I haven’t had to put up
with anyone I’ve disliked – in fact
I’ve stayed in touch with several
of my previous house guests.
Short-term renting has
definitely been a great boost to
my finances, and means that
I am never lonely.
Plus, keeping things
temporary means I only share
my home when it suits me.‘Short-term lodgers are great for gossip!’
Jacqueline meets
some fascinating
characters‘IT
FEELS
RIGHT’‘My best friend is my landlord’
Talia Loderick, 39, is a money
coach and lives in Cardiff
with her friend Keziah, 29.
I’ve lived in shared rentals
ever since uni, so when- at the age of 30 – I began
to rent my own flat, it was a
real milestone.
Unfortunately, living alone
is pricey – and in 2013, when
I was thinking of becoming
self-employed, it was a cost
I was looking to cut back on.
Keziah’s flat was the first
I visited in December 2013.
You know when it feels right - I loved the place, got on
well with Keziah, 29.
But just six months later,
our landlord decided to sell
up and we were forced to
find somewhere else to
live. Then, just as we’d
settled into a new
property, that landlord
decided to sell, too.
Keziah had been
saving a deposit and,
not wanting to be forced to
move again, decided to take the
leap into property ownership.
She became my new landlord
in July 2015.
Living with Keziah is brilliant –
we’ve become great friends and
often spend evenings watching
TV or cooking together.
As I work from home, I have
plenty of ‘me time’ during the day
and appreciate the company when
Keziah gets home.
As I head towards 40, I do plan
to get on the property ladder, –
but currently, renting offers me the
security and flexibility I need. And it
also means I’m able to save money.
Keziah and I don’t have an
official rental contract, but we’re
open about our plans. We both
understand that if either of us meets
someone and wants to move in with
a partner, this will be the natural
time to go our separate ways.
That said, the man I settle down
with will have a lot to live up to –
I like things ‘just so’, and Keziah has
been the perfect housemate!
✿ talialoderick.co.uk