There may be no such thing as a free lunch but free rent is on offer - providing you have an unique skill.
Increasing numbers of householders in the capital are offering free rooms in exchange for services, from Chinese lessons to carpentry.
A leading property website has seen the number of Londoners offering a free room almost double in the last two years.
Unique skills being sought by those offering free rent include language lessons, help with building a barge and an assistance in setting up a web-based business.
Matt Hutchinson, director of flat and house share website SpareRoom.co.uk, said: “We’re seeing more and more ads from people offering discounted, or even free, rent in exchange for skills, or help with specific chores.
“If you can speak a foreign language or you’re a brilliant cook, don’t be shy about it - you might just be able to negotiate a cheaper rent.
“Childcare is a recurring theme at the moment but there are plenty more skills in demand. One homeowner used our site to offer free accommodation in exchange for one day’s work a week cataloguing his extensive sheet music collection and another landlord had his driveway re-paved by his lodger last year.
“On a smaller scale we often hear from people whose lodgers help out in all sorts of ways from feeding and walking pets to DIY and gardening, and even teaching their landlord’s children another language.”
This year, more than 200 adverts were placed by Londoners offering free rent.
One landlord was offering a free room for 6 months in Kennington in exchange for Chinese lessons, another was offering free accommodation in return for building a barge in Brentford.
A couple in Eltham were offering, not only a free room but £50 a week in return for childcare and house chores.
Glenn Nickols, founder of the online tenant community, The Tenants’ Voice, said: “It’s not surprising the lure of free rent is tempting cash-strapped Londoners. “But if you’re giving up your time in return for rent or low rent, do make sure you know exactly how many hours you’re expected to give and when.”
