Rent to a Refugee

“Having a positive relationship with my housemates and landlord has helped me feel more connected to my new environment. Their support and sense of community have given me the confidence that I am not alone in this new society.”

Can you help tackle Oxford’s housing crisis and support sanctuary seekers by offering your spare room to a refugee lodger? 

At Asylum Welcome, we believe that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. By opening your door to a refugee, you can make a profound difference in their life and help to enrich our community.

Why Rent to Refugees?

  • Transform Lives: Providing a safe and stable home can give new refugees a secure foundation on which to rebuild.
  • Financial Incentives: Under the government’s Rent a Room scheme, landlords can earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free for renting a room in their home, helping to offset living expenses while supporting those in need (see Rent a room in your home: The Rent a Room Scheme – GOV.UK). There are also some incentive schemes for live-out landlords [see FAQs].
  • Support is available: Organisations like Asylum Welcome offer support to ensure a smooth and positive experience for both landlords and lodgers.

By renting to a refugee, you not only provide them with a safe home but can also enrich your own life and community. It’s a win-win scenario that promotes empathy, understanding, and mutual support.

Understanding the Barriers Refugee Lodgers Face

Refugees often encounter significant obstacles in their search for stable housing. Understanding these barriers is crucial for landlords considering renting to refugees.

  • Limited Time to Find Housing: After receiving refugee status, individuals often have just 56 days to secure accommodation, creating immense pressure and anxiety.
  • Lack of Rental History and Credit Scores: Many refugees may not have a rental history or credit score in the UK, leading to uncertainty for potential landlords and making it more difficult to secure housing.
  • Fear and Uncertainty: Searching for housing in a new country, often in your second or third language, and sometimes navigating prejudice, is emotionally demanding
  • Lack of Awareness Among Landlords: Some landlords may hold misconceptions about refugees which creates barriers to acceptance and support – in fact, recognised refugees have the right to rent, work and access benefits, and are ordinary people seeking safety and stability.

Myths versus Facts

  • Myth: Refugees don’t have the legal right to rent in the UK.
    Fact: Refugees have full legal status to rent, work, and live in the UK: their Biometric Resident’s Permit allows them to obtain a right to rent sharecode that prospective landlords can very easily check online.
  • Myth:Refugees can’t afford to pay rent.
    Fact: Refugees have the right to work and access benefits. Many are in secure employment or receiving support via Universal Credit to help cover rent.
  • Myth: Refugees are high-risk/unreliable tenants.
    Fact: Refugees are ordinary people seeking safety and stability.
  • Myth: Renting to refugees involves complicated processes.
    Fact: Renting to a refugee follows the same lodger agreements and legal processes as any other lodger, often with support from organisations like Asylum Welcome.

Q & A with Ehsan: A Refugee Lodger

Ehsan, a refugee from Afghanistan now renting in Oxford, shares his experience of finding a room in a shared house with a live-out landlord:

Q. How did you feel when you first started looking for housing?

It was a mix of fear and hope. On the one hand, the uncertainty about whether I would find a suitable place to live worried me. But on the other hand, the idea of finding a safe home gave me hope and motivation to start a new life. What worried me a lot was receiving the eviction letter from the home office and the office of the hotel where I was living.

Q. What difference has it made to have a safe and stable place to live?

Having a safe and stable home has made me feel more secure and allowed me to focus on other aspects of life. I no longer have the constant worry about housing, and that has brought me peace of mind.

Without worrying about where I live, I have more energy and time to dedicate to learning and advancing my career. The stability of having a home has allowed me to make long-term plans and focus on my professional and educational goals.

Q. Has your relationship with your housemates and landlord helped you feel more settled?

Yes, having a positive relationship with my housemates and landlord has helped me feel more connected to my new environment. Their support and sense of community have given me the confidence that I am not alone in this new society.

Q. What would you say to anyone else who is thinking of renting a room to someone in your position?

I would tell them that not only will this help the refugee, but it can also be a rewarding experience for themselves. Welcoming and helping someone starting a new life can foster human connections and cultural understanding, and it promotes empathy.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Renting to a refugee offers a chance to provide a safe home to someone fleeing conflict, helping them transition to a new life. You’re contributing to Oxford’s values of compassion and inclusivity, with support from Asylum Welcome to ensure a positive experience for both you and the lodger.

Ensure your property meets the usual safety standards and provide a written lodger agreement.  As with any prospective tenant or lodger, you need to check their right to rent.

For non-citizens you can ask for their ‘share code’, which is easy to check online.

Landlords can earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free under the government’s Rent a Room scheme.

There are also some more specific schemes offering incentives to landlords seeking to rent properties to refugees and people receiving housing benefit.

Many newly recognised refugees lack traditional rental references (from previous landlords) but have often engaged for many months with organisations like Asylum Welcome, language teachers, volunteer supervisors or employers, who can assist in providing references. This can give you confidence in their reliability and commitment, even if they’re new to the rental system.

Yes, refugees in the UK have the legal right to work, and many are eager to find employment as part of their journey toward self-sufficiency. They also have the right to claim benefits, which can provide financial support for rent and living expenses as they settle in and build their new lives. Asylum Welcome provides refugees with guidance on navigating the benefits and work system.

The rent you charge depends on your location and the type of room you’re offering. Researching local rates on platforms like SpareRoom and Daily Info can help. Some landlords choose to offer lower rents and/or forego a deposit to make housing more accessible for refugees. Offering a compassionate rate can also a great way to support someone who truly needs a fresh start.

Finding a lodger should be straightforward, especially in Oxford. You can advertise on platforms like SpareRoom, and Daily Info. Asylum Welcome can connect you directly with prospective refugee lodgers.

Typically, a furnished room and access to basic communal areas like the kitchen and bathroom are sufficient. Some landlords also like to provide a welcome pack or local area information, which can be a helpful gesture as a refugee settles in.

A standard lodger agreement covering rent, duration, responsibilities, and house rules is recommended. You can download a template from SpareRoom here for £4.99.

Communication is crucial. Having an open and relaxed dialogue about house rules can help clarify expectations and prevent misunderstandings.

Be open to discussing any cultural differences that may arise. For example, some refugees may come from backgrounds where pets are not common.

It’s good to be flexible and willing to accommodate your lodger’s needs within reason, while respecting your own boundaries, ensuring that any adjustments to house rules—such as quiet hours or shared responsibilities—are mutually agreed upon. This collaborative approach fosters respect and understanding, making it easier for both parties to adapt to each other’s lifestyles.

Should additional support be needed, Asylum Welcome can offer advice and mediation to help address issues smoothly.

Yes, it is generally easier to end an arrangement with a lodger than with a tenant, but you must provide reasonable notice.

Check in with your lodger to see how they are settling in and if they have any questions or concerns.

Show awareness and respect for your lodger’s cultural background, for example, by being mindful of dietary restrictions or religious practices where relevant. At the same time, try not to overwhelm them with too many questions, expectations, or assumptions about their culture or personal story, as this could feel intrusive. A simple, respectful enquiry can go a long way in fostering understanding without putting pressure on them.

Many landlords find that small gestures make a big difference in helping someone feel at home. Offering to share a meal occasionally can be a great way to build a connection, but even small acts of hospitality—such as showing them local amenities or leaving a welcome note—can help them feel more at ease.

If you’re thinking about renting a room or property to a refugee and would like guidance from Asylum Welcome, we’d love to hear from you.

Get in Touch

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us at <welcome@asylum-welcome.org>. We’ll do our best to help.

Additional Resources

Organisations supporting landlords.