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Lodgings Service

Our Lodgings Service connects people in housing need with householders in Plymouth who are willing to offer a safe and welcoming space. We’ll help you rent out a room in your home—flexibly, safely, and with full support from our experienced team.

It’s a great way to earn some extra income while making a real difference in someone’s life.

What We Provide

We make taking in a lodger simple, safe, and fully supported. From matching you with the right person—complete with full checks and references—to helping with agreements, rent payments, and practical guidance, we are with you every step of the way. You will also have access to regular property checks and ongoing advice for both you and your lodger.

Why Become a Lodger Host?

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    Earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free

    Take advantage of the Government’s Rent a Room Scheme and enjoy up to £7,500 a year in tax-free income when you let out a furnished room in your home.

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    Support at every step

    From finding the right lodger to setting up agreements, we guide you through the whole process so it’s simple, stress-free, and fully compliant.

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    Make a real difference

    By offering a safe, stable place to live, you can help someone at a critical point in their life and give them the chance to rebuild their future.

  • A lodger rents a furnished room in your home and shares your living space. They’re classed as “Excluded Occupiers,” meaning if things don’t work out, you only need to give reasonable notice.

    A welcoming lodgings room should include:

    • A bed, wardrobe, drawers, and curtains/blinds

    • Access to shared kitchen, bathroom, and living areas

  • Before making introductions, we:

    • Assess housing history and support needs

    • Carry out ID, income, and reference checks

    • Provide clear guidance on rights and responsibilities

    You make the final decision—our role is to give you the information and support you need to choose with confidence.

    We also help lodgers with forms, Universal Credit applications, and finding funding for deposits or rent in advance.

    • Earn up to £7,500/year tax-free

    • You set the rent, with guidance on affordability

    • We can advise on Local Housing Allowance rates if your lodger claims Universal Credit

    • If you’re on Housing Benefit, you can earn £20/week without affecting your claim

    • You may take a deposit to cover damage or unpaid rent (no need for a protection scheme)

    • Return the deposit if the room is left in good condition and rent is up to date

    • We recommend signing a Lodger Agreement—especially if your lodger is claiming Universal Credit. We’ll help you create one that works for both parties.

How it works

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    1. Friendly first meeting

    No pressure, just a chance to talk things through

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    2. Introductions

    We match you with suitable potential lodgers

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    3. Safety & comfort checks

    Rsk assessments, EPC, and safety certificate advice

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    4. Lodger Agreement

    We help you set clear expectations and responsibilities

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    5. Permissions

    Guidance if you’re in social housing and need landlord approval

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    6. Ongoing support

    Support for both you and your lodger, whenever you need it

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Ready to find out more?

Get in touch today and discover how your spare room can change someone’s life—and benefit you too.

lodgings@pathdevon.org
01752 255889

Let’s work together to create more safe homes—and more hopeful futures.