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My friends have, but not forever...only
till, say, the deck was built or painting done, something like that.
Then, you have the $200 reduction for some upkeep the landlord
doesn't want to hire out.
All worked great!
If you are talking working on the house, most landlords do not want to do this. Unless you are a contractor licensed to do whatever work you are doing, and have insurance that will cover liability (what if the deck you built collapses and someone gets hurt), and provide a warranty on the work. More simple things, like painting, maybe. But even then, if the house is older than 1978, you may have to be lead based paint certified. So typically, professional landlords who know what they are doing, do not allow this.
For individual landlords, who only have the one house, they may be more likely to do this, if it means they don't have to come up with money out of their pocket to do the work.
If you are talking about services other than work on the house, like walking their dog, or doing their laundry, again, only individual landlords are even going to discuss this with you. Professional landlords are not even going to consider it.
One of my ex-bosses was a caretaker on a private island for 20 yrs.
My S-I-L 'house sits' for last 34 yrs in Hawaii (no rent / housing required)
Your S-I-L who house-sits -- does she get paid for house-sitting, or does she just get free room and board?
I do a lot of house/pet-sitting for local families (I get paid), but I think doing it for an extended period of time (months or even years) would be a great way to save money on rent.
I've been a nanny for free rent, first in a room in the house, and then for a free place to put my Airstream trailer with hookups. It didn't work out well. Her kids were demons and I had to set boundaries. She began expecting me to be available 24/7 and for any amount of time while she traveled. Quickly became not worth it and I quit and moved the trailer to a paid space and gladly paid the rent.
My resident manager position was in a way, barter for free rent. I was only paid in "free" rent. But, I was expected to be available 24/7. Also wasn't worth it, but took 8 years before I could quit that one.
In both instances, I was treated like a surf or servant, and the hours I put in in exchange for rent, greatly exceeded the value of the rent.
Both times, it was a necessary evil. Both times I was happy to quit.
Back in the long ago I got a great deal on renting a very rural home in exchange for remodeling work. The house was in terrible shape when we moved in and it was much better when we left. It was a good deal all around. It was a way to save on rent while H was in school and it worked out well.
I see people saying things like I'll house sit for free rent. Some people offer that so not saying its not an option but simply living in a house doesn't in my mind equal free rent. I think it would be more likely for a larger property where a lawn needed to be mowed, driveway shoveled, etc. Basically work for rent.
I almost did this with a handyman. Was going to give him a place to live for a few months for free while he did work around the house. Didn't wind up doing it but considered it.
Just as NoSnowForMe expressed being taken advantage of, the same can happen for the person providing the space for barter - happened to a friend of mine. They had agreed on rough hours, but he didn't fulfill his end, or claimed hours with no evidence of performance.
Seems the best way to go into it might be to draw up an agreement with boundaries for both parties, spelling out precise work and hours based on value for services, and then for the one performing the labor/work to keep a tally of hours along w/ specific tasks accomplished. Essentially, keeping it businesslike vs loosey-goosey.
Not for free, but for partial rent. It works when there is a clear agreement as to what is being done, and when the limits are clear to both parties. Some people will always try to push the limits though, and that is the risk involved with these arrangements.
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