Live Rent Free

Live rent free in July winner

Congratulations to Jennifer, our Live Rent Free in July winner

Do girls just enter competitions more than boys do? Certainly looks that way as we have yet another female Live Rent Free winner to announce.

Our Live Rent Free in July winner is Jennifer Hall, who lives in W5 (Ealing), so wins £663, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index. Jennifer won with one of her 11 loyalty awards, for entering regularly. Most of our winners do so it definitely pays to keep entering.

Jennifer says:
"Like so many young professional Londoners, I can't afford to rent a place on my own so sharing is my only option. SpareRoom.co.uk has been my lifeline for the past few years and I have found my last 3 homes (including my current one) through here. It is far superior to other flat sharing websites because it gives you details about the flat / house as well as the flat mates, it is so important to know who you will be living with as well as where you are living. I am going to spend the money on a trip to see my best friend and her baby boy, because I missed his first birthday last month as I was moving to my new flat."

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

July's winner - Jennifer

Live rent free in June winner

Our Live Rent Free in June winner is Rachael

This month's Live Rent Free winner adds another to the 'Girls' column - the totals now stand at 19-7 in favour of the ladies.

Our Live Rent Free in June winner is Rachael Chambers, who lives in EH11 (Edinburgh), making her prize £351, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index. Rachael won with one of her loyalty awards for entering regularly.

Rachael says:
"It was a huge surprise when the e-mail arrived telling me I'd won and I'm still in shock about it. I always enter the competition as it only takes a minute to click on the link from the e-mail. I've found my past two flatmates on SpareRoom as the website was really easy to use and I got loads of responses. I'm going to Madrid this summer so this will make it an even better trip. "

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Congratulations Rachael

Live rent free in May winner

Our Live Rent Free in May winner is Gemma - congratulations!

Another month, another year, another winner (and another one for the 'girls' column). Live Rent Free has now been running for 2 years - who'd have thought it!

Our Live Rent Free in May winner is Gemma Harrison, who lives in SW19 (Wimbledon). According to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index the average monthly rent in the home of British tennis (and therefore the prize) is £546.

Gemma says:
"I used SpareRoom when I first moved to London in August 2009 - I thought the best way to meet people would be by living in a shared flat. I found the website really easy to use. I also used SpareRoom again when a flat mate was moving out - the response we had was great and we filled the room in no time! I enter the competition every time I see the email, it's free to enter so there is no harm in trying. I never thought I would win but it goes to show you have to be in it to win it! The money will come in handy, I will hopefully put it towards a nice holiday somewhere hot!"

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Our May winner - Gemma

Live rent free in April winner

Congratulations to Neil McCallum, our Live Rent Free in April winner

This month's winner is Neil McCallum, who lives in BT7 (Belfast). According to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index the average monthly rent in Neil's postcode (and therefore his prize) is £281.66.

Neil says:
"Thank you SpareRoom.co.uk, couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the email! This will definitely come in handy! I've been doing this competition fairly on and off since I signed up to SpareRoom a few years ago when I was living in England. I was looking for new living arrangements and it helped me get in touch with quite a few property shares which I was interested in. It also was a great help when I was moving back home to Northern Ireland as it had a great selection for there also. I'm currently sharing in an apartment near the centre of Belfast with a couple of friends which suits me down to the ground as I'm close to all my other friends and it's handy for work (and socialising of course). Going to put the money towards paying off the snowboard holiday I'm just back from and it'll hopefully help me along the way to booking my next holiday sooner than I was expecting! Happy days! Thanks again!"

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Neil enjoying the snow

Live rent free in March winner

Congratulations Annalena Oestreich, our March winner

Our Live Rent Free winner this month is Annalena. Annalena lives in N19 (north London) so wins £550.33, which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, based on SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Annalena says:
"When I received the news, I couldn't quite believe it – I've never won anything, so I'm completely bowled over! I used SpareRoom.co.uk to find a new place to live over a year ago and have been entering the competition almost every month since then – without really expecting to win (I just compulsively enter every competition I come across...). I've been living in a house-share in Tufnell Park for a while since it's cheap and in walking distance of my work, but I'm planning on moving again soon, so the money will certainly come in handy. Or maybe it will go towards my well deserved holiday that I've been planning to go on for ages instead..."

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Congratulations Annalena

Live rent free in February winner

Well done to Hayley Reader, this month's winner

February's Live Rent Free winner is Hayley, who lives in Balham (SW12) so wins £606.66, the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Hayley says:
"I am so shocked that I've won. I've never won anything in my life! I have entered this competition every month for about 2 years and never for a second thought I would get picked. I have been renting in Balham for 4 years but I fancied a change recently and www.SpareRoom.co.uk is a fantastic website in helping you move/look to move, especially when you cant afford to buy yet. I was planning a trip to Paris for my 30th so the money is going to ensure I can have the best birthday ever! Thanks so much."

As this month's competition is promoted in conjunction with Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo, Hayley also wins one of 5 signed copies of their new CD 'Almanac' (which SpareRoom was happy to be able to help finance). 2 further winners also get tickets to one of Emily's upcoming UK gigs.

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Congratulations Hayley

Live rent free in January winner

Happy New Year (and congratulations) to Kelli Pearson

Our first winner of 2011 is Kelli, who lives in north London (N1) so wins £641.33, which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Kelli says:
"Fantastic! I will be moving soon (that's why I've been on SpareRoom.co.uk) and could REALLY use the cash towards my new place. I want to stay in the Angel area and I'm looking for a place with more space for doing art, as I am an aspiring painting and sculpture artist. I'm sharing at the moment with a very good friend to save some money and because she's super easy and fun to live with! :) I entered the competition because I saw it on the site and have entered every now and again for over two years. SO YAY! It worked! :)"

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Congratulations Kelli

Live rent free in December winner

Congratulations to Richard Leeds, winner of our Live Rent Free in December competition

So, to our final Live Rent Free of 2010 - well done Richard Leeds. Richard lives in Mile End (E14) so wins £593.66, which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index. Richard won with one of his loyalty entries, as it would seem most of our winners do! Proof, if any was needed, that its worth entering every month..

Richard says:
"That's brilliant news - will certainly make Christmas shopping a bit easier this year! I'm currently sharing in Mile End with friends - still trying to put off the thought of buying a house yet as renting is so much more flexible (and more fun living with mates). I'd seen a friend post a link on Facebook for the competition and thought I'd give it a go a while back and have kept clicking back each month. Not having to pay rent for a month will be great and will let me spend a bit more on Christmas shopping this year, maybe take a short trip away (and possibly pay off some bills!). Thanks so much - it's started the week off with a bang!"

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Congratulations Richard

Live rent free in November winner

Well done to Sonya Weiss, winner of our Live Rent Free in November competition

Sonya lives in Middlesex (UB3) so wins £411.66, which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index. Sonya won with one of her 7 loyalty entries, which we give as free additional entries to anyone who regularly enters the competition.

Sonya says:
"I don't believe it! I have been entering for 6 or 7 months now but never expected to win - I am not generally lucky at this sort of thing; what a nice surprise. This is very good timing - my job situation is a bit precarious at the moment, and I'm waiting to find out if I will still have a job in a month's time, so any extra to put towards the rent will help. Also I can buy some early Christmas presents and will treat myself to a couple of nice theatre outings, because life is too short to worry about money."

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Sonya, our November winner

Live rent free in October winner

Well done to Zara Martin, winner of our Live Rent Free in November competition

Zara lives in Elstree (WD6) so wins £468 which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Zara says:
"Well how shocked was I! I've entered a few times and this time had the winning feeling so to win bought a massive smile to my face. I share a house in Elstree and have my own large double room as I have so much stuff. SpareRoom.co.uk was and is amazing and has helped me and friends so is fully recomended. Having a month off not paying the rent and bills has left me free to spoil the ones I love - a nice meal is on the cards and some treats for my yorkies Fudge and Toffee and a stress free massage for me. Thanks again, it was well worth entering."

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Zara, our October winner

Live rent free in September winner

We're happy to announce the winner of Live Rent Free in September - Naomi. Once again we have a winner who won with one of their loyalty entries (extra free entries we give away for entering the competition every month). Naomi wins a month's free rent paid by SpareRoom.co.uk - her prize, based on the average rent for a room including bills in her postcode (N5) is £619.66

The prize is calculated using SpareRoom.co.uk's Room Rental Index

Naomi says:
"Wow! Thank you! I'm currently living in central London and used SpareRoom.co.uk recently, as one of my flatmates was moving, and filled the room immediately - the new flatmate moves in this weekend. I find the site easy to use and a really efficient way of filling a vacant room in a flatshare. The money will certainly come in handy!"

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Our September winner Naomi

Live rent free in August winner

We're happy to announce the winner of Live Rent Free in August, run in association with Speed Flatmating. This month's winner is Sophie. Sophie wins a month's free rent paid by SpareRoom.co.uk - her prize, based on the average rent for a room including bills in her postcode (LA1) is £346.66

The prize is calculated using SpareRoom.co.uk's Room Rental Index

Sophie says:
"Wow! I've entered this competition every month for the past year but never expected anything to come of it! Me and my fiance moved to Lancaster so I could go to the uni and we only had 3 weeks to find somewhere to live after Plan A fell through! SpareRoom was so brilliant and we found somewhere in no time! We now live in a house with a friend of ours and a cat, Oscar. We'll all enjoy the bubbly I'm going to buy with this money (maybe not Oscar!) then I'll be reasonably sensible with the rest! Thanks SpareRoom!!"

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Our August winner Sophie

Live rent free in July winner

Persistence pays off - it's official and this month's winner Dominique is the perfect example. Dominique won with one of her 5 loyalty entries, gained by entering the competition every month - her prize is £485.33, which is the average monthly rent for a double room in her postcode of N15, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Dominique says:
"Sweet lord you have no idea how large this smile on my face is. Clicking the 'enter now' link became habitual and I never expected to win...definitely couldn't have come at a better time. I'm living in London in a converted warehouse with a bunch of young lovelies, trying to juggle all manner of things as I can't imagine having my own place for a little while yet. Amazing, cheers Spareroom you've enabled me to breathe a little easier!"

Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now (or, if like Dominique you've entered previously, keep on entering!)

Our July winner Dominique

Live rent free in June winner

Congratulations to Helen

Summer is here (sort of) and it's time to announce our Live Rent Free in June winner - congratulations go to Helen Roberts. Helen lives in IP33 Bury St. Edmunds), London so wins £403 which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Helen says:
"Thanks very much! I'm very happy to win. I'm currently living in Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk but have been using the site to look for somewhere to live in Cambridge as I have started working there. I'm a 26 year old female and like living in houseshares as a way to meet new people. The money is really going to come in handy as I am about to move again, for the 3rd time in 9 months (!) so it will really help with the costs - hopefully I can use a little bit of money to help me enjoy all this sunny weather."

Congratulations Helen! Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Our June winner Helen

Live rent free in May winner

Congratulations to Margarida

Margarida Mendes is the latest winner of SpareRoom's Live Rent Free competition and wins a month's rent. Well done! Margarida won with one of her loyalty entries (an extra free entry we give away to anyone who enters each month). Margarida lives in N1, London so wins £658.66 which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Margarida says:
"I can't believe I really won this month's competition! I could not be happier, thank you so much SpareRoom. I'm 24 years old and I'm Portuguese - I just moved to London recently and life here can be very expensive, this money will help me a lot. Thanks to the competition I will be able to save some money and follow one of my dreams - to take a web design course"

Congratulations Margarida! Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Our May winner Margarida

Live rent free in April winner

Cathy Miggin wins a month's rent

Cathy is our latest winner of 2010 and is owed an apology after our MD getting stranded in Tokyo by the volcanic ash drama delayed us getting her prize out - sorry Cathy! Cathy lives in HA3 (Harrow Weald) so wins £411.66 which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Cathy says:
"Wow this could not have come at a better time! I am working as a temp and this money is a godsend! It's been a quiet week for work with not many shifts. I recently moved to the UK just 8 weeks ago and renting in harrow HA3. Unbelievably five years after finishing secondary school in Ireland I am now living the dream in London with my classmates Michael and Rachel. Finding it hard to believe I am here but l love the area and glad to have SpareRoom.co.uk to help me in my search"

Congratulations Cathy! Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Our April winner Cathy

Live rent free in March winner

Well done Robert Kingsbury

Robert is our 3rd winner of 2010 (and our second male winner in a row, is the tide turning in favour of the boys?). He lives in BH9 (Bournemouth) so wins £372.66 which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Robert says:
"Im sharing at the mo as things at home changed. The site's been really helpfully and easy to use - the search is really easy to use and great for getting a room were you want. I never win anything so this is a great surprise."

Well done Robert, hope the money comes in useful! Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Robert wins a month's rent in March

Live rent free in February winner

Congratulations Ian Evans

Ian is our second winner of 2010 so well done Ian. He nearly wasn't though as his computer broke and he didn't get any of our emails - we were about to pick a new winner after a month trying to get hold of him when we got his phone call to say he'd just checked his emails and got our messages!

Ian lives in B20 so wins £368.33 which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Ian says:
"I cannot believe I have won, I have never won anything like this before and to be honest never thought I would.

With just starting a new job it has been pretty tough catching up with all my bills, so winning this fantastic prize with SpareRoom has now given me the chance to do this and also have a fun month with money I would never have had (and I think a good night out with the lads is very much needed).....cheers SpareRoom."

Well done Ian, enjoy the night out! Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Well done Ian (god job you checked your email!)

Live rent free in January winner

Congratulations Claire Parker

Well done Claire Parker, our first Live Rent Free winner of 2010!

Claire lives in NE1 so wins £398.66 which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Claire says:
"That is brilliant! This has definitely just made my January! I'm 22 and just about to start my new job this month as a Marketing Co-ordinator, after graduating from Newcastle University last year. As I am starting my new job one month rent free will really take the financial strain off me (and my parents!). I will most likely go and spend the money on beautiful new furniture for my bedroom or maybe a weekend away, and definitely several bottles of wine for me and my lovely new housemate! Thankyou Spareroom!"

Well done Claire, enjoy the wine! Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent enter now

Claire celebrating (before she even knew she'd won!)

Live rent free in December winner

Congratulations Graham Jones

Well done to Graham Jones, our final Live Rent Free winer of the year

Graham lives in S2 so wins £301.28 which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Graham says:
"It's been a tough year, with the current recession and redundancy halting any plans I had for buying a house, so renting's my only current option. SpareRoom's my first port of call for checking what's currently available in and around the area (as well as all over the UK), and has made looking for a cosy place of residence a lot easier. The site's just so easy to use!
I entered this competition thinking- "it'll never happen- but ahh- what the heck...", so to think I've actually gone and been picked has really made my Christmas (and year). Inevitably I guess most of the money won will go on prezzies for friends and family but not before cooking up a decent slap-up Christmas meal for me and my mates."

Well done Graham. Don't forget, for your chance to win a month's rent in 2010 enter now

Our December winner, Graham

Live rent free in November winner

Well done to Claire Lander!

Congratulations to Claire Lander, winner of our Live Rent Free in November competition

Claire lives in BS16 so wins £338 which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Claire says:
"I am a student living in Bristol. I house share with a family (the owners), I'm having a great time but do need to work to help with living expenses, this money will go towards Christmas pressies instead of me having to do extra shifts. Thank you very much, this is fab."

Well done Claire. Don't forget, for your chance to win November's rent enter now

Our November winner, Claire

Live rent free in October winner

Well done to Fraser Colebrook!

At last we have another male winner! Congratulations Fraser.

Fraser lives in BN20 so wins £300.31, which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Fraser says:
"I'm currently beginning a degree course in International Tourism Management in Eastbourne, and I'm sharing a house because its good fun, and the student banter is good! I entered the competition because it seemed worth a try, especially with all the Uni debt I have to look forward too! The money will be a fantastic start to Uni life!"

Well done Fraser. Don't forget, for your chance to win November's rent enter now

The boys are catching up...

Live rent free for a year winner

The winner of our competition to win a whole year's rent is Joanne Ley - congratulations Jo!

We're thrilled to be able to announce the winner of our Live Rent Free competition. So far we've given away 4 month's rent to winners of the single month competition but it's great to be able to give someone a whole year's rent. Jo lives in London SW12 so wins £7,072, which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Jo says:
"I'm 24 years old, I moved to London from Manchester in order to go back to university, where I study illustration. I first went on SpareRoom.co.uk because it seemed a more personal and friendly way to find people to live with - I entered the competition on a whim then forgot all about it. I have to say when I read your email my brain stopped responding to what I was seeing which is a bit worrying for an art student. Now the shock has worn off only marginally I can say with confidence that I'm pretty freakin chuffed. I have no idea what I'll spend the money on, I guess once the surprise has worn off (which frankly will take a while) I'll have a mull around the old noggin. Probably gona be a Cintiq which is a sort of computer screen you can draw on. Then I guess lots of nice books and beer for my friends. In conclusion if I really have won this competition I love you sincerly and forever!"

As some of you may have read, Jo nearly missed out on her prize when her email junk filter junked our email telling her she'd won! Luckily we managed to get hold of her in the end - for the full story see the SpareRoom blog. Don't forget, the competition to win a month's rent is still running every single month so enter now

Jo wins a year's rent

Live rent free in September winner

This month's winner is Aisling O'Neill - congratulations Aisling!

We're delighted to announce our 4th Live Rent Free winner, congratulations Aisling O'Neill, winner of Live Rent Free in September! Aisling lives in Bath so wins £351.17, which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Aisling says:
"I am 22 and a second year student in Bath. I wanted to live away from the traditional student lifestyle, so I found a room on SpareRoom living with young professionals. Unfortunately the rent is slightly higher than I had budgeted for, so I would imagine that the money will go towards that, while I hope to save a little for a holiday and for my course books. Thank you!"

Well done Aisling. Don't forget, for your chance to win October's rent enter now

Our lucky winner

Live rent free in August winner

This month's winner is Lauren Tones - congratulations Lauren!

We're delighted to announce our third Live Rent Free winner, congratulations Laura Tones, winner of Live Rent Free in August! Lauren lives in Streatham, London SW16 so wins £472.33, which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Lauren says:
"I am 26 and have been living in London for just under 2 years with my wonderful flatmate/landlady Sally (who I found on SpareRoom). With life in the capital being much more expensive than my hometown of Hartlepool, renting a room nearby to my workplace in Brixton was the best and cheapest option. The money will pay off my credit card bill - but I should probably put some of the money towards a mop and bucket, as I don't do enough on that front! I can't believe I've won - I'm so happy! Thank you!"

Well done Lauren. Don't forget, for your chance to win September's rent enter now

Our lucky winner

Live rent free in July winner

This month's winner is Natasha Rattu - congratulations!

We're delighted to announce our second Live Rent Free winner, congratulations Natasha Rattu, winner of Live Rent Free in July! Natasha lives in Duffield, Derbyshire so wins £337.50, which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Natasha says:
"I was amazed to learn I had won, as I never usually enter competitions and to win is simply fantastic! I hope to save some of the money for when i go back to university in September to continue with my legal studies. I also hope to save some of the money for a little break with my loved ones!"

Well done Natasha. Don't forget, for your chance to win August's rent enter now

Our lucky winner

Live rent free in June winner

We're delighted to announce our very first Live Rent Free winner, congratulations Stefan Berry, winner of Live Rent Free in June! Stefan lives in Chiswick so wins £606.67, which is the average rent for a double room including bills in the area, according to SpareRoom's Room Rental Index.

Stefan says:
"Wow! I've never won anything before. I am in something of a state of shock - that's absolutely fantastic - I'm completely staggered and it couldn't have come at a better time. I'm 35 - I've been sharing housing in London ever since I moved here in 1998, basically because it's the best way to get yourself somewhere nice to live where you'll have enough room to swing your proverbial cat, have enough cash to spend some of it on enjoying yourself rather than everything on rent, allows you the flexibility to see a lot of different areas of London before deciding where you might like to settle (I have lived all over London in the last 11 years) and is a good way to meet new people - a lot of my best friends now are people I've lived with over the years. I expect I will spend the money on my summer holiday, which will be a major shot in the arm!"

Well done Stefan. Don't forget, for your chance to win July's rent enter now

Our lucky winner celebrates