Modern-day LANDLADY
Find out how Tracey Panayiotou, 60, got on when she turned her empty nest into a renter’s retreat
I’ve always thrived in a busy home – coming from a Greek-cypriot family, hospitality is hard-wired into me. My motto has always been and still is ‘the more the merrier’. Our four-bed home in Southampton was always an open house for my children’s friends, from sleepovers to a memorable prom party when the house was filled with teens trying desperately not to look drunk.
When the children, Florence and Stan, grew up and eventually moved out, the house became much quieter. I was happy working full-time as a film studies teacher but my partner Stephen wanted to study for a PHD in music in Huddersfield. So in 2010, we decided the best way to finance that would be through letting out the two spare rooms in our now empty nest. Not only would it help us find the extra money, it would mean I wasn’t on my own while he was away. As a very social person, I couldn’t bear the thought of being alone. We took the plunge and registered our rooms with the local language school. I was nervous at first because I didn’t know what to expect. Inviting strangers to share our home was a big step. On the plus side, I reasoned, the lets would be shortterm, so even if I got someone I didn’t gel with, it wouldn’t be forever.
Our first guest was a French air traffic controller who couldn’t get his head around people eating beans on toast. At first, I cooked dinner so we could eat together. It seemed like the natural thing to do, but I ended up feeling like his mother. I decided future guests could cook for themselves and thought about setting some house rules. When he moved out, I had a steady flow of tenants from Theatre Digs Booker and Spareroom. I had a mixture of postgraduate students in their late 20s who would stay for anything from three to 12 months, and bookings from actors, musicians and technicians who stayed a week while they worked at the local theatre. They catered for themselves and I simply asked them to clean up after themselves in the communal areas and lock the front door if they were the last one in at night. Simple things that would help us all get along well.
I had to get used to the different dynamics people brought to living under my roof, accepting my home was now their home too. I discovered couples preferred to stay in more than my young, free and single tenants. I also learnt the art of giving people a little privacy when needed by turning up the radio!
Fortunately, our house is ideal for sharing. I have my own en-suite so guests don’t have to contend with me darting out of the family bathroom clad in a towel. There are also two sitting rooms, so it’s easy to watch TV together or relax separately. The kitchen is our sociable hub, and we often cook and eat together. I especially loved the company when Stephen was away, and it was nice to know that the house was looked after when I went to visit him in Huddersfield.
Our children came to the rescue for us at times too, coming to change the sheets and giving the house a clean if there was a changeover of tenants while I was away.
‘The kitchen is a sociable hub and we often eat together’
One of the delights has been occasionally making real friends with guests. In 2015, a Spanish couple got married during their 18-month stay with me. I had a fabulous day out with the bride-to-be, helping her buy make-up for the big day. They moved to Manchester and now have a child, but we love to meet up when they’re back in Southampton.
It hasn’t all been plain sailing, though. One snowy February day in 2018, I was having work done on the house and the workman had to remove the front door lock. Assuring me he’d have it fixed by the end of the day, I headed off to a party in Portsmouth. What could possibly go wrong? In true sitcom style, two theatricals and two Italians ended up stranded outdoors because the lock didn’t line up. Luckily one of them was foolhardy – and supple – enough to shimmy through an open window and let the others in! I only saw the panicked messages as I was on my way home, and all were cosy indoors by the time I got back. I rushed around red-faced, apologising profusely but, thankfully, they all saw the funny side.
We continued renting out rooms when Stephen came back after his studies. Then the pandemic hit, and everything drew to a halt. It felt strange to have the house to ourselves. We missed the bustle and buzz of a home full of people. As soon as things started to return to normal we threw open our doors again.
I retired last year, so we now do shorter lets for theatre folk, which gives us the perfect balance of time to ourselves, with a handy income and some company too.
When people ask me whether I’d recommend letting out rooms, I say go for it. The most important thing is to think about which features you’d want as a guest. It’s usually great broadband, a comfy bed and a good shower. I think it’s always best to meet your tenants and make sure you feel comfortable with each other before committing to a longer let.
I’ve been very lucky with my guests so far. If you set your boundaries from the start, you’ll have a smooth experience. What’s more, you’ll make some fantastic friends along the way.
✢ theatredigsbooker.com
‘It gives us a perfect balance with a handy income too’