Frugality Magazine - Frugal Living Tips for Financial Freedom

Jobs That Give Free Rent

If you’re like most people then keeping a roof over your head is one of your biggest monthly expenses.

Depending on where you live and the property you live in, your rent or mortgage could amount to 40% or even more of your monthly expenses.

Ouch!

But imagine just for a minute what it would be like if your housing costs dropped to nothing. How much money could you save each month? How much quicker could you become debt free? How much sooner could you put down that deposit on the home you long to buy?

It doesn’t have to be a dream.
While many people opt to move back in with their parents or rent a room from a friend to save money on their housing expenses, there is an alternative.

Namely, there are an increasing number of jobs that offer either free or significantly-discounted rent.

These are typically known as “live in” positions and, if you’re willing to buckle down and save all that excess cash, it’s possible to rapidly improve your financial situation thanks to all the excess cash you could have floating around.

Important Note: If you’re considering a live-in position purely for financial reasons (rather than as a career move) then make sure you do your math carefully before signing any kind of contract.

Many live-in positions pay significantly less than other jobs specifically because they offer free accommodation.

If you’re leaving a better-paid job to take up a live-in position, make sure you will actually be better off with the free rent/lower pay alternative to your current pay rent/higher salary situation.

Which Kinds Of Jobs Offer Free Rent?

There are typically two kinds of jobs that offer subsidized or free accommodation.

The first of these are where your help may be needed at any time of day or night. Having you onsite then makes perfect sense as you’re able to respond more quickly to any issues as they arise.

Here are a few examples:

If you're a frugal person looking to save money, the one of the biggest expenses we all have is housing. But what if you could eliminate that cost altogether - and live rent free? Well you can, when you know how. Click here to learn how to save money on rent each month (hint: it's easier than you think!)...Property Manager: If you’re responsible for the maintenance and repair of a property then problems can occur at any time.

Water leaks, break-ins or floods don’t only happen during normal working hours.

Therefore many large properties – both residential and historic – will keep at least one member of staff on site at all times for security.

Wardens: From hotels to homes for the elderly, many properties that have other residents sleeping there may need help from time to time.

Whether a hotel guest needs another pillow or an elderly resident falls in the night you could be needed – no matter what time it is.

As a result a variety of warden positions offer free housing, though pay attention to which offer full live-in positions and which ones only offer accommodation temporarily when you’re actually working.

Nanny/Au Pair: Similarly young children can wake up at any time and may need to be given attention.

Unsurprisingly a number of parents – especially those with a high profile career who need a proper nights sleep to perform well – opt to hire a nanny or au pair to take care of their daily childcare tasks.

Nannies may receive a variety of other benefits besides free accommodation such as the use of an employer-funded car and possibly even free vacations so they can look after the children on family breaks.

The second type of job that offers free rent are those that historically always have. In doing so they’re able to save money and pay employees less – essential in situations where margins are slim but staff are needed to maintain the business.

Veterinary Nurse: Many vet nurses take on positions that offer free or subsidized accommodation. Some boarding kennels and catteries also offer similar live-in positions in order to help keep their prices to clients competitive. That said, I know of a number of nurses who quickly got fed up with living at the surgery, with all the potential extra responsibilities that may be expected, and instead opted to move out into their own property.

Pub Worker: Many bars and pubs – especially those in a country location – offer free accommodation to limited staff numbers above the premises. Bar work is typically quite low paid and demands very late finishes so a free flat can make such jobs far more appealing. It’s also safer to be able to just walk upstairs to your apartment than having to travel home in the dark late at night.

Chefs: In a similar vein some restaurants offer their kitchen staff free accommodation on-site. Long shifts – sometimes split into two or more sections (“split shifts”) can make it unrealistic to travel to and from work – sometimes multiple times in a single day. Having staff accommodation on site makes this concept far more pratical so staff can easily retire to their quarters to relax between shifts.

Have you ever been the recipient of free accommodation thanks to a job? What job did you have and how did you find your live-in position? Please leave your thoughts in the comments section below…

Want to save money? Want to live well on a budget? If so, here are some jobs that give free rent. Just think how much money you could save as a result! #frugality

Richard

Sun-worshipper and obsessive frugality blogger. For loads more money-saving advice come and join us on Facebook.

4 comments

  • Interesting. I’ve never heard of a hotel manager being referred to as a warden. Good things to think about to save on overhead. My father-in-law provided maintenance services for his landlord – years ago. While the rent wasn’t free, it was reduced to compensate for the on property help.

  • Pam Wusthoff says:

    I worked In Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and Cancun for 10 years total and was given free housing in the resorts where I worked. Time share in Mexico accommodates good OPC’s. We were the few that got couples for the hungry salespeople trying to sell timeshare to the resort guests.

  • Superintendent is probably a better term to use then property manager. Usually they get an apartment plus depending on how big the place is wages. But it’s not exactly free it’s for work and you must have certain skills indeed.