Nurse slammed for free room to rent advert in return for 'overnight childcare'

26 January 2023 , 14:42

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The nurse was criticised for offering the 'free' accommodation in exchange for childcare (Image: SpareRoom)

A nurse has come under fire for advertising a free room to rent in return for 'overnight childcare'

She specified the lodger would not need to pay rent but instead look after her two kids overnight.

The woman said the deal which would include looking after her children three nights a week, would suit a student or young professional.

The woman from Tadley, Hampshire, posted on SpareRoom and said: "I have a double room that might suit a student or professional in exchange for overnight childcare of a 13-year-old and five-year-old three nights a week every Tuesday Thursday and Sunday, as I work permanent nights as a nurse.

The nurse came under fire from others for her post (SpareRoom)

"In exchange for overnight care, the room would be free. DBS necessary. Contact me for more information.

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"Room equipped with smart TV WiFi and study table (not the dresser in photo)."

Her post, however, caused controversy on Facebook group 'Spotted in Newbury Thatcham and Surrounding Areas.'

And responses were not very favourable among some who replied.

The 'overnight childcare' deal would allow the person to live rent free (SpareRoom)

One said: "Are you serious? No one in their right mind is going to do that."

Another said: "It definitely wouldn't be just those three nights."

The woman, however, insisted the request was not for child minder saying: "It's not babysitting."

She added: "My kids are older. It's just they're not old enough to be left without an adult in the home.

"The adult has nothing to do except be present, and have no rent to pay."

The ONS last week published the prices paid by UK private rental tenants had jumped by 4.2% in the 12 months to December 2022 rising from from 4% in the 12 months to November 2022.

Figures revealed last week showed the biggest annual percentage change since records began in 2016.

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The South East of the UK had the lowest annual percentage change in private rental costs in the year leading to December last year at 3.8%.

The childcare 'arrangement' was posted on SpareRoom (SpareRoom)

The Mirror reported how a tiny studio was put up for rent at £1,300 a month and the bed was made up of scaffolding poles.

The property, in Maida Vale, London, is not cheap but still might seem an almost attractive proposition at first glance, given sky-high London property prices.

But any potential renters might have second thoughts when they look inside.

The bed could be off-putting to some as it is only accessible by an uneven, chunky staircase and it is made of scaffolding poles.

The woman's post, however, caused controversy on Facebook group 'Spotted in Newbury Thatcham and Surrounding Areas' (SpareRoom)

The poles have been painted white in an effort to make the entire thing look more aesthetically pleasing.

Then to make matters worse, the stairs are not all the same size with the final step seemingly almost twice as large as all the ones before.

So any potential resident would own a bed that is just a mattress sitting on top of the DIY-looking structure above the kitchen area.

This makes the bedroom, described as a “loft style sleeping area”, so small you wouldn’t even be able to stand up in it.

Graeme Murray