To live in or not to live in

Image: Home sweet home sign - live in jobs

In most cases, hotel jobs, restaurant jobs and pub jobs are more than just wage earners — they're a lifestyle. The hours aren't the standard 9-5 and can change from one day to the next. This is why a lot of employers offer the option to live in.

Although the idea of not paying rent (common in most cases) can be very appealing, the decision needs careful consideration, as this is not just a new job, it’s a new home and in a lot of cases, a new town or city.

Is it right for your situation?

The first thing to consider is the accommodation itself. Does it suit all your needs?

The downside: Do you have a family that would come with you and if so, is is there enough room, and is this OK with your new employer? They may not want to live above a busy pub or bar. If children are involved, it's worth investigating whether it's an appropriate place for them to live. For example, does the pub/bar/restaurant open late and is it noisy? Is there live music on certain nights, for instance?

The upside: If you'll be living alone, it's a great option, as there will be plenty to do and the environment gives you an automatic opportunity to meet new people and get involved with the local community.

Clocking off

The downside: In any job, if you're going into a senior position, you'll probably be responsible for closing and opening the venue, but it usually falls on the person living there to deal with these responsibilities more than anyone else. Early-morning deliveries will most likely be down to you to save on paying another member of staff to be there earlier than necessary.

The upside: Deliveries only usually happen only once a week and considering the place may not open until around 11am, one early morning is better than many have it! There will be no rushing for the bus in the morning, just roll out of bed and straight into work. At the end of your shift, there's no travelling either, which works out well on a cold February night when trudging through the snow at midnight doesn't seem much fun.

Home sweet work

The downside: It’s important to establish a difference between your home and your work, in order to maintain a healthy work-life balance, which can be somewhat difficult. In some cases, the kitchen for the venue can be within the manager’s flat, which means you may have a chef or kitchen staff in there a lot.

Another issue that may crop up is that some flats don’t have a kitchen and the main kitchen for the venue is the only place for you to cook. Some managers choose to keep their doors open, so staff can use it as a break area. It's your choice how open you have your accommodation, but if you like it a certain way it's best to check what's expected before hiring the moving van.

The upside: If you're a sociable person looking to make new friends, this could be the perfect place. You can have people back to yours as well after a night out so they can spend more at your venue without the worry of driving home!

The finances

The downside: The flat, however, will be seen as a taxable benefit if there's no rent — just as a company car would be — and this will be reflected in your wages. It's important to understand this and calculate how much will be deducted from your pay, otherwise you may get a nasty shock at the end of the month.

The upside: As with most jobs with accommodation, it comes as part of the job offer, so there's usually no rent to pay. This can mean saving a lot of money, which is always a good thing! You'll also save on travel.

There's also the option to make money from the place as well. If you have a spare room/rooms, you could rent out the space. This will usually be to the staff, who can then be paid less for shifts - a great way to keep the wage percentage down.

The accommodation of the workplace will be your home — hopefully for some time — and you should look at it as you would view any other new home. Living in can be great, but it 's a big change, as with any move, and should be considered carefully before you make your decision.

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