Part-time renting in the city

Mary says the only disadvantage is being away from her family Watch: City part-time renter

How one savvy commuter makes her dream job in the city work with a dream home in the country.

Mary Pierce was offered a full-time job in fashion based in London four days a week, but there was just one problem - she and her family lived in Norfolk.

So Mary became a 'fractional renter', paying to share an east London flat for part of each week.

She rents a room three nights a week for a monthly sum of £200, which includes a parking space, bringing her spending to about £330 with petrol costs.

Benefits

If she commuted by train a one month season ticket would cost her just over £530, whereas as a permanent room in the area where she rents would cost £500 to £1,000.

There are also benefits for Mary's landlady, as under the government's rent a room scheme she doesn't have to pay tax on the first £4,250 of rent.

The landlady also does not lose her single person's 25% discount on council tax, as Mary has her main home elsewhere and is not liable for this tax.

Judy Niner used to have a long commute into London and decided to set up the website www.mondaytofriday.com to find a room for weekdays only.

The website is used by about 2,000 people every month and charges a fee of £25 for services that include draft contracts and renting guidelines.

Tenancy agreement

Around two thirds of rooms and landlords using the website are London based, but its founder is keen to get the rest of the UK talking about fractional renting.

The National Landlords Association (NLA) says that becoming a landlord, full-time or fractional, is a responsibility homeowners need to make sure they are ready for.

NLA Chairman, David Salusbury, emphasises the need for a proper shorthold tenancy agreement and to insure the accommodation and its contents.

You can find more information and tips from the NLA on their website, and more information on the government Rent a Room scheme on the Directgov website.