How to Live Rent Free in the UK: 21 Easy Ways

This post tells you how to live rent-free in the UK. Rent is the biggest expense for many people, so what if you could get rid of it?

I’ve lived in the UK for over ten years, but I didn’t pay rent for three of those years. I’ll tell you below how I achieved this, plus some more great ways to avoid paying rent.

1. Live With Your Parents and Do Chores

One of the easiest ways to live rent-free in the UK is to stay with your parents. You’ll have less privacy and private space but, generally, it is easy to move back or stay with your parents.

It is great if you have this option, and you should ensure you are not a burden to them. In return for a free place to live, you can offer to do the chores and help around the house. Ideally, you also contribute towards the bills.

2. Rent a House/Flat and Sublet the Rooms

A trick to rent-free living is to rent a whole house or flat and sublet the rooms. You can charge your tenants enough rent so that it covers your room. This way, your housemates pay your rent.

The problem with this method is that you need an income to convince the landlord to let you rent the flat or house. They may also have rules against subletting, so you should check beforehand.

Another issue is that you may have to pay rent if a housemate moves out and you cannot find a replacement.

3. Become a Live-in Carer

Elderly people often want company or need help with their daily lives. This translates to free living opportunities for younger people.

As a live-in carer for an elderly (or disabled) person, you’ll get accommodation as part of your job. In return, you need to care for the person you are living with. Live-in caring jobs are often full-time, but you may work evenings or nights, so you are free during the day.

I worked as a live-in carer, so I can tell you that it is hard work. Apart from the person you care for, you’ll also have to deal with their family. At least one family member always thinks you aren’t working enough.

4. Become a Sharer

If caring is too much work, consider becoming a sharer instead. Sharers live with an elderly person and help with household chores or provide company (typically ten hours per week). You don’t need to pay rent and do not have the same responsibilities as carers.

When I was a student, I worked as a sharer. It helped me survive in London when I had no money. I learned a lot, but it was also stressful. You’ll have the same issues as carers when dealing with the elderly person’s family.

5. Work for Wealthy People

People who employ household staff sometimes provide accommodation as part of the job. These jobs may include nannies, chefs, drivers, and other staff.

While you can live in a nice house and perhaps eat high-quality food, working also has disadvantages. You might need to work long hours or on short notice.

6. Become an Estate Caretaker

Caretakers work on large estates or apartment blocks and may get free rent in exchange for work around the property. If you know how to fix things, try becoming an estate caretaker.

7. Buy a House and Rent out the Rooms

Buying a house or flat and renting out the room is similar to renting a house/flat and subletting the rooms. The difference is that your lodgers pay your mortgage.

Of course, buying a house or flat is a long-winded process and not a quick way to live rent-free. You need a sizable deposit and enough income to get a mortgage first. But once you have bought your property, getting one or more lodgers can be an easy way to pay your mortgage.

8. Become a House Sitter

A house sitter is someone who looks after people’s houses while they are on holiday. House sitting may be a good way to live rent-free for a short period of time.

If you want to live in other people’s houses long term, consider becoming a property guardian.

9. Become a Property Guardian

Property guardians look after empty houses while the owner is not using them. Properties can stay empty for months or years. To protect the house from vandalism and squatters, the owner might prefer having property guardians live there.

Property guardians typically need to have a full-time job. However, there are no other requirements, and you can do what you want as long as you stay in the house.

I tried being a property guardian, but ultimately, it wasn’t for me. You can’t choose your housemates; this type of opportunity attracts the worst people. People constantly stole my stuff, and even after moving out, my clothes still reeked of weed.

10. Live in a Van

Join the #vanlife community and ditch the traditional lifestyle. Living in a van is becoming more and more popular. Currently, over 500,000 people live in vans in the UK.

Living in a van means you won’t pay rent but instead pay maintenance and fuel costs for your vehicle. This works out much cheaper than rent.

Living in a van means you can go wherever you want. You can also save money, but there are disadvantages as well.

You will live in a cramped space and may not have all the luxuries you would get from living in a room. If you consider living in a van, do your research first. There is a whole community that will answer your questions.

11. Live on a Boat

Living on a boat is the London alternative to living in a van. In the UK’s capital, there is limited space for vans. This drove people to make use of the waterways as a home.

Living on a boat allows you to move wherever you can get a mooring permit. If you don’t have a permanent permit, this can be stressful. You’ll also constantly have to fix things so your boat doesn’t sink. I’ve seen people who enjoyed the boat live and those who hated it.

12. Teach English

Teaching English is great for saving money on rent when living abroad. There are many opportunities for English teachers outside the UK. You don’t need a degree, a Teaching English Online as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certificate is enough.

Getting a TEFL certification is easy and doesn’t take long. I got mine within four weeks. I did most of the learning online and only attended a one-day in-person workshop.

13. Become an Au Pair

Au pairs look after their host’s children in return for free accommodation and a monetary reward. Being an au pair is also a great opportunity to visit a new country. Many young people choose to spend a gap year being an au pair.

14. Teach at a Boarding School

Boarding schools provide accommodation to students and sometimes to teachers. If you are a teacher looking to live rent free, you can take advantage of this.

15. Volunteer With WWOOF

WWOOF is an organisation that connects farmers with volunteers. As a volunteer, you get free accommodation and food. In return, you need to do some farm work. WWOOF is a global site, so you can find opportunities everywhere on the planet. This is also a great way to spend a year abroad.

I recommend volunteering with WWOOF. During my time abroad, I had great experiences and met many interesting people.

16. Do Couchsurfing

Couchsurfing lets you stay at a stranger’s place for free. The site aims to connect travellers with locals, but nothing says you can’t use it to live rent free. Most people won’t allow you to stay more than a few nights, so you’ll have to switch hosts frequently.

I used Couchsurfing for all my travels when I was younger. I met some great people and learned about the place I visited from a local. Out of all my stays, there was only one host who was a bit of a creep.

17. Work in Tourism

Jobs in the tourism industry sometimes provide accommodation as part of your job. You can find these opportunities within the UK or abroad. Jobs include barkeepers, entertainers, waiters, receptionists, and other staff.

18. Use Kindroom

Kindroom lets you live rent free in exchange for your skills. Like Airbnb, you can choose the dates you want to stay, and the host will approve you. Common jobs include teaching a language or helping with DIY work.

19. Enlist With the Army

Members of the Armed Forces get subsidised housing in the UK and abroad. This may include living in the barracks if you are a single person or dedicated housing if you have a family.

20. Sleep in Airports

This is probably the emergency solution you should only take if you can’t think of anything else. Airports often stay open overnight. They tend to remove homeless people, but you’re fine if you look like a traveller.

I’m not proud to say this, but I slept in airports before when I was younger. You’ll get used to the noise and bright light quickly.

21. Get Government Assistance

If you cannot afford to pay rent for legitimate reasons, you may be eligible for housing benefits. This applies to people who have reached the state pension age or live in supported, sheltered or temporary housing. If you have nowhere to go, contact Shelter, a charity providing emergency accommodation.

Ways to Live Rent Free in the UK Summary

There are many ways to live rent free in the UK, including:

• Live with your parents and do chores
• Rent a house/flat and sublet the rooms
• Live with an elderly person
• Work for rich people
• Become a caretaker
• Buy a house and rent out the rooms
• Become a house sitter/property guardian
• Live in a van
• Teach English abroad
• Become an Au-Pair
• Teach at a boarding school
• Volunteer with WWOOF
• Get government assistance

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