Refugee Lodgings
Rent your spare room. Earn an income. Change a life.
Got a spare room in Derbyshire? Rent it out to a refugee so that they don’t sleep rough.
Refugee Lodgings is a model that launched in Derby to respond to the unprecedent levels of refugee homelessness. Make your spare room work for you:
Earn up to £7,500 tax free income per year as a live-in landlord
Provide accommodation to a refugee who might otherwise be homeless
Thorough screening processes and ongoing day-to-day support during the lodging placement
Speak to a member of our team via phone or email to see if hosting works for you. No commitment.
How it works
with support from Upbeat every step of the way
1. Register your interest & get in contact with our team.
Is Refugee Lodgings sounding interesting? Register your interest and get in contact with a member of our team, we are more than happy to chat. Don’t worry, there is no commitment, just an opportunity to ask all of your burning questions.
2. Get matched to a guest.
Once you have had a chat with our team and find out whether being a live-in landlord is right for you, we will match you with a guest.
3. Rent out your room, earn an income & change a life.
The guest will rent your spare room for 6-months whilst they rebuild their life and you earn a guaranteed rent each month.
Why should you consider Refugee Lodgings?
Unlike traditional short-term hosting, this model allows lodgers to contribute towards rent through the housing element of Universal Credit or personal income, helping to create a more sustainable solution for both you as a Resident Landlords and a refugee as a Lodger.
Training will be provided to all resident landlords, and Upbeat Communities will work alongside you throughout the placement to ensure any issues are addressed. We will also support your lodger with their move on plan.
See if it’s right for you. No commitment.
How our guests were impacted…
“Being hosted was a life changing experience for me. It gave me a safe place to stay, emotional support, and a true sense of belonging. I’m deeply grateful to my host family and the Upbeat Communities hosting team for their kindness and care.”
Riya
“When I became homeless, I felt like my world had fallen in on me. As well as giving me a place to stay, hosting has given me the ability to have a routine in my life again—to get up, go out, and do things.”
Imani
*Guest names have been changed to protect their identities.
Naeem
“I was hopeful and grateful for the opportunity, but also a bit nervous since it was a new environment and experience. However, I was warmly welcomed, and that made me feel safe, respected, and comfortable. It truly felt like a second home.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Got a question? See if we answered it in our FAQ. Alternatively, you can chat to a member of our team. Just fill out the form linked below and we will be in touch.
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We ask for a minimum commitment of 6 months to provide your lodger with enough stability to settle into UK life. This duration also allows you to build a consistent source of income and a meaningful connection with your guest.
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Yes, this is a formal lodging agreement where the refugee pays rent directly into your bank account, often covered by the Universal Credit Housing element. Under the government’s Rent a Room Scheme, these payments (typically £360–£450 per month) are 100% tax-free for you.
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Upbeat Communities helps set up an Alternative Payment Arrangement (APA) so the DWP pays the rent directly to your bank account. This removes the need for you to personally ask your lodger for money each month.
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Lodgers are individuals who have been officially granted Refugee Status and are eager to work, study, and integrate. Every potential guest is thoroughly interviewed and screened by Upbeat Communities before any matching takes place.
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No, this is a lodging arrangement rather than "full board," so your lodger is responsible for their own food and cooking. While meals aren't required, many hosts and guests occasionally enjoy sharing a meal together.
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We provide a dedicated support worker to mediate any issues and facilitate healthy communication. If you need your room back, we simply ask for as much notice as possible so we can help your lodger transition to their next home.
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You should notify your home insurance provider and your mortgage lender about your intent to join the Rent a Room scheme. Most providers are supportive, but it is a necessary step to keep your policies valid.
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Safety is our top priority; we conduct background checks, take up references, and perform DBS checks where appropriate. We also focus on a thorough matching process to ensure the lodger fits well with your specific lifestyle.
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Your primary role is to provide a safe, private, and welcoming room. You are not expected to be a social worker or lawyer, as Upbeat Communities handles all complex support and legalities.
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Yes, you will never be expected to host someone you haven't met; we arrange introductory meetings online or in person. The final decision to move forward always rests with you, and there is no obligation if it doesn't feel like the right fit.
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Upbeat Communities provides training, regular check-ins, and a dedicated support worker for both you and your lodger. We also manage the "Move-On Plan" to help your lodger find permanent housing and employment when the placement ends.
Ready to apply? Click the button and fill out the form today.
Please use the buttons below to apply for Refugee Lodgings, our emergency accommodation schemes for refugees and asylum seekers in need of a place to stay. Applications for our schemes are open all year round.
Interested in shorter-term commitment? Find out about our Hosting Schemes.
Similarly to Refugee Lodgings, we run a hosting scheme where generous and compassionate individuals volunteer to host a refugee in their spare room. This scheme is flexible, as hosts can decide how long they would like to host for. Sounds interesting? Find out more by clicking the button below.