housing

Christian Flat Share

ChristianFlatShare.org (CFS) is a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping Christians find a home. CFS may be especially helpful for church family coming to the UK from abroad; for students going to or who are at university; for someone moving to a new area with a new job; for the young family who it would bless to be able to let a room; or, for the retired couple who would like to have a lodger.
Website: www.christianflatshare.org
Email:

The Highbury Centre (formerly The Foreign Missions Club), Highbury, London

The Highbury Centre is ideally situated in the heart of London in a delightful conservation area, yet it is only three miles from the centre of the capital. The Highbury Centre was founded in 1893, as The Foreign Missions Club, and over the years has provided accommodation to thousands of missionaries, Christian ministers, overseas visitors and guests of all denominations. Most are short stay visitors but those who are attending courses or studying may stay up to three months.
Website: www.thehighburycentre.org
Email:
Tel: 020 7226 2663

Pilgrim Homes

Pilgrim Homes provide sheltered accommodation, residential and nursing care for elderly Protestant Christians. Some of their residents have been missionaries living overseas.
Website: www.pilgrimhomes.org.uk
Email:
Tel: 0300 303 1400

Redbourn Missionary Trust, nr. Harpenden, Herts.

The Redbourn Missionary Trust has 5 houses available for short term lets and 5 flats for retired missionaries. Details from Pilgrim Homes.
Website: www.pilgrimhomes.org.uk
Email:
Tel: 0300 303 1400

Shunem Trust, Thame, Oxfordshire

The trust has one house in Thame, Oxfordshire, available for use by missionaries on home leave. Available from early Jan 2010. Other properties may be available in the future.
Email:

The Village at BMV, Florida, USA

We offer 2 bedroom/1 bath homes for rent starting at $595.00 a month on the west coast of Florida to anyone who has served in ministry for 10 years and is 55+. Email or call for details.
Website: www.Ilvillaggiohomes.com
Email:
Tel: ++ 1 941 746 1857 (USA)

Gravesend, Kent - 2 bed Garden Apartment, Briars Court, 90 Windmill Street

This large twin bedded furnished apartment, part of a large Victorian house, was refurbished in late 2009 to a very high standard.  It is self contained with own ground floor entrance opening to a large garden, and will take two adults very comfortably.  It is very well appointed, including being disabled friendly. Tenants would have use of a patio and the garden.
There is a large kitchen/diner, lounge (with sofa-bed for occasional use), bathroom as well as a large bedroom.  A small hallway/lobby has a desk for a computer. There is off road car parking and location is 10 minutes walk to the town centre, railway station, buses, shops and amenities.
It is particularly suited for those in Christian service who do not necessarily want a long let arrangement with the consequent  implications of separate charges such as Council Tax.  All charges are included in the rent with linen provided.
Located within easy reach of London by high speed rail (25 minutes) or coach or car (1 hour), 45 minutes to Gatwick or Stanstead and 1½ hours to Heathrow. The M25 is 15 minutes and Dover is 1 hour for the continent.  The River Thames is 15 minutes walk and BlueWater shopping complex is 15 minutes by car.

2010 costs are £835 per month inclusive of all charges, eg Council Tax, water and energy etc. Discounted rates may be available for those in Christian service.
Email:
Tel: 01474 363788

London (North) - 2 bed Flat

Spacious, furnished, self-contained 2 bed flat in North London. Available to missionaries/Christian workers on home leave for medium term lettings (1 month minimum). £120 per week.
Tel: 0208 883 0717

Sutton-in-Ashfield, Notts. - 1 bed Flat 'The Hiding Place'

Situated on the southern outskirts of the town, The Hiding Place is a one bedroom self-contained, self-catering retreat, which provides, quietness and peacefulness. It is available for missionaries or full-time workers to rent whilst in the UK. It is suitable for a married couple or a single person. Closely located to the Midlands with easy access to Sherwood Forest and the Derbyshire dales. Transport links are good with junctions 27 and 28 of the M1 being 5 miles away. The accommodation is fully furnished and comprises of:

• Entrance Hall;
• Lounge/sitting room with TV - doors to patio and quiet garden;
• Kitchen Diner (equipped with Electric cooker, microwave, fridge, table & chairs etc.);
• One Double Bedroom;
• Shower/toilet;
• Off road Parking  to the front;
• Heating is by storage heaters and is included in the costs;

Contact them for details of availability and costs
Website: www.thehidingplace.fsnet.co.uk
Emails:
Tel: 01623 441937

Bassenfell Manor Christian Centre, Keswick, Cumbria

There is a self-contained apartment at Bassenfell Manor available for missionaries to rent by the week and at a special rate. Also during the winter they are able to rent out the apartment for longer periods of time.
Website: www.bassenfell.org.uk
Email:
Tel: 01768 776366

Christian Home Exchange Fellowship (CHEF)

CHEF provide a way of exchanging your home with another Christian family. This means that for no cost you can stay in a house in the UK whilst the owners' stay in your house overseas (or the UK). We have arranged a special deal for OSCAR users so please mention OSCAR when you contact CHEF.
Website: www.christianhomeexchange.net
Tel: 01243 586751

Christian House Sitters

Christian House Sitters is a new internet based service for Christians who want to take a holiday and need someone to look after their home and or pets, and Christians who need a break. We will put the two halves together. This way we hope many Christians who could not afford a holiday will be enabled to take a break and see other countries. The service will also support Christian work in South Africa with a minimum of 10% of all profits from this site will be going to support Christian work in South Africa.
Website: www.Christian-HouseSitters.com
Email:
Tel: 01273 930484

Wycliffe Associates

WA have a network of people throughout Britain who have volunteered to offer hospitality or short term accommodation to missionaries. Sometimes this is just an overnight, sometimes it is for a few days. They also have volunteers who have holiday accommodation and are willing to let missionaries use this either free or at cost. more>>
Website: www.wycliffeassociates.org.uk
Email:
Tel: 01283 536968

Association of Residential Letting Agents

This site includes a lot of advice and information if you're thinking about renting a house through a letting agent. There is also a comprehensive list of Letting Agents who belong to the ARLA.
Website: www.arla.co.uk

Mortgages for Christians

If you are looking for a mortgage, remortgage or need additional cash for any purpose or secured loan this is the site for you. For in addition to dealing with one of the longest established and most knowledgeable firms of mortgage advisors in the country you will also be receiving advice with a Christian perspective - browse through the site for further details.
Website: www.mortgagesforchristians.co.uk
Tel: 01792 543505

Nethouseprices.com

Through this website you can see which houses have sold recently in any specified area and for how much.
Website: www.nethouseprices.com

Wallington Missionary Mart & Auctions (Surrey Area)

If you need the use of some furniture or any household items during your furlough, the mart can help you get set up with secondhand items at very little cost.
Website: www.wallingtonmissionary.homestead.com
Email:
Tel: 020 669 3495 or 020 8647 8437

Up My Street

If you're moving back to the UK, this service can give you the lowdown on a prospective neighbourhood by keying in its postcode on this website. You'll be able to find out things like crime rates, schools and local property prices.
Website: www.upmystreet.com

Other mortgage websites

• www.moneysupermarket.co.uk
• www.moneynet.co.uk
• www.charcolonline.co.uk
• www.mform.co.uk