The Room Xchange Podcast

Lucy O'Flaherty, CEO Columbia Aged Care
Welcome to The Room Xchange Podcast. I’m Ludwina Dautovic and today I have the pleasure of speaking with Luck O’Flaherty, CEO of Columbia Aged Care. Lucy and I are going to unpack the process of caring for our elderly in Australia.

In this episode we discuss:

• Caring for our elderly in Australia and the choices you have
• Dementia and loneliness are two main issues we need to be aware of with our elderly
• My Aged Care is a great resource to find out the right information for your elderly care
• Be clear about your goals for your care, what you need and when you'll need it
• Have an advanced care directive in place which can be set up online
• Make sure your family clearly understands your needs and desires when aging
• Get your financial plans in order
• Have a power of attorney
• Make the right preparations so when the time comes your family doesn't have to be concerned about what you want

"We need to find the right ways when caring for our elderly parents in Australia"
Options for living arrangements when caring for your elderly in Australia
In the early stages when you're just needing some company at home and a little bit of help around the place, The Room Xchange is an ideal option. Most unused spare bedrooms are in the homes of elderly people. The spare bedrooms is an untapped resource for both the family of the elderly person and those who are looking for affordable and accessible housing. When it’s only company and some light housekeeping that’s needed, having someone to share your home could be the ideal answer you need. We also have a Matching Service and House Share Agreement process that we can take you through should you need a more personalised approach.

Retirement Villages or Assisted Living are a good next step. These are places where you can still live fairly independently but have the onsite care and help should you need it.

Aged Care Facilities are for when you are closer to the end of your life and require medical care and ongoing support.

"You need to be clear about your goals and decide them early"

Contact The Room Xchange

• Tweet us at @theroomxchange and @LudwinaDautovic
• Share a story on instagram @theroomxchange
• Email us at [email protected]

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Finding a place to call home can be a challenging and sometimes overwhelming task. Whether you're a homeowner, a renter, or someone interested in co-living arrangements, navigating the housing market can often leave you feeling uncertain and frustrated. In episode #23 of The Room Xchange Podcast, we had the pleasure of speaking with Peter Meek, a remarkable individual who has experienced housing from various angles. His unique insights shed light on the joys, challenges, and opportunities within the ever-evolving world of housing.

A Multifaceted Background
Peter's diverse background immediately captured our attention. Having explored different housing options throughout his life, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experiences to the table. From being a homeowner and managing rental properties to embracing the concept of house sharing, Peter has gained invaluable insights into the dynamics of the housing market.

The Joy and Benefits of House Sharing
A popular alternative to traditional renting, emerged as a focal point of the conversation. Peter shared his enthusiasm for this concept, highlighting the positive aspects that extend beyond financial savings. Building relationships, creating a sense of community, and enjoying the company of like-minded individuals were among the numerous benefits he highlighted.

The Challenges of Finding Rental Properties
As the conversation unfolded, the challenges faced by renters became apparent. Peter discussed the difficulties many encounter in finding affordable and accessible rental properties, especially in the midst of a rental crisis. He emphasized the importance of platforms like The Room Xchange, which aims to connect homeowners with spare rooms to those in need of affordable accommodation.

Fostering Relationships Between Landlords and Tenants
Peter's experiences as a homeowner provided valuable insights into the landlord-tenant relationship. He stressed the significance of treating this relationship as a business partnership, emphasizing open communication and trust. By establishing personal connections and showing genuine care for tenants, homeowners can foster a positive living experience for all parties involved.

The Evolution of The Room Xchange
Peter's involvement with The Room Xchange, a platform that connects hosts with guests in a mutually beneficial exchange, showcased the potential for innovative solutions within the housing market. He highlighted the platform's role in creating safe and secure living arrangements while simultaneously fostering new friendships. The Room Xchange is not just about finding a place to stay; it's about building meaningful connections.

Creating Safe and Affordable Accommodation Options
With housing affordability being a pressing concern, Peter emphasised the importance of finding innovative ways to address this issue. Platforms like The Room Xchange provide a viable solution by offering safe and affordable

Contact The Room Xchange

• Tweet us at @theroomxchange and @LudwinaDautovic
• Share a story on instagram @theroomxchange
• Email us at [email protected]

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The Room Xchange Podcast - Conversations with industry leaders in the house sharing market and everyday people talking about their house sharing experiences.
Hello and welcome to the first episode of The Room Xchange podcast where we’ll be helping you rent better. I’m Ludwina Dautovic, the CEO and Founder of The Room Xchange, Australia’s first verified house sharing platform.

I’ll begin with telling you about the company and then why we’re producing this podcast.

Our mission is to help you rent better. To help you find your people and feel at home. Renting doesn’t have to be a transient, short-term option on the road to nowhere. Renting is a viable living option and sharing your home with other people can be a beautiful experience.

The Room Xchange is a platform that supports your house sharing journey. Firstly, all registered users must be verified giving you peace of mind that our users are who they say they are. It also prevents fake profiles which we can be a massive issue with platforms like this.

Our profiling system makes it easy to find your ideal housemate by matching you on personality, values and lifestyle.

You can also choose to rent or rent offset saving you time and money.

The Room Xchange Podcast is a portal for you to connect with us and to learn more about how to be a better renter. I’ll be interviewing industry leaders in the house sharing market along with talking to everyday people about their house sharing stories. We’ll be giving you insights and tips on how to rent better and special offers that might come our way.

So... to make sure that you don’t miss out on an episode please subscribe to The Room Xchange Podcast on your favourite podcast app. We’re listed on– Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Pandora and more.
Head over to www.theroomxchange.com where you can find your people and feel at home.

Contact The Room Xchange

• Tweet us at @theroomxchange and @LudwinaDautovic
• Share a story on instagram @theroomxchange
• Email us at [email protected]

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In episode 16, Ludwina Dautovic interviews Mitchell McLean. Mitch is passionate about all things DIY, having spent the past 19 years with Bunnings supporting customers with bringing their projects to life. Mitch is currently part of the Bunnings workshop team, an online community for sharing DIY advice and inspiration.
About Mitchell McLean

Mitchell McLean has been renting for 20 years and has had quite a rental journey. It’s provided him with variety and flexibility. Bunnings workshops is all about assisting customers with DIY projects online. Renters are coming in daily to improve their property. They have just hit 30k members and a high percentage of them are renters.

"Whether you're a tenant or owner, turning your house into a home is imperative. Creating positive surroundings with your personal style should be seen foremost as an investment into your own well-being."

***Connect with The Room Xchange on social media - Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Linkedin | Get started | Stay updated

How you can make your rental feel like your home with out losing your bond

1. Touch base with your landlord and have a chat. They're usually happy to negotiate changes in the home.
2. The kinds of things you can change are basically anything that doesn’t damage your property and it’s easily removable. Make sure that you put the property back in the same state that you found it.
3. You can hang pictures and curtains. Just be mindful how you hang them. You can now get hanging strips from Bunnings which will hold up to 4kg which will save you putting a hole in the wall.

Bathroom vanity story

Mitch and his partner were living in a rental that had a very old bathroom vanity. They replaced it and it improved the quality of their home and their experience living in it. The landlord was also very happy as it improved the value of his house.

“ We need to look at it like we’re investing in our happiness, not in someone else’s property.”

Garden ideas for your rental property

• Container planting
• Free standing gardens
• Don’t invest in things that you can’t take with you.
• Outdoor wall art from succulents
• Hang cheap art outside and seal it with a waterproofer - silicone spray

Improvements you can do inside your rental hom

Contact The Room Xchange

• Tweet us at @theroomxchange and @LudwinaDautovic
• Share a story on instagram @theroomxchange
• Email us at [email protected]

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Welcome to another insightful episode of our podcast, where we explore real-life stories and experiences. In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of The Room Xchange and the transformative power of living together. Join us as we hear from Hansraj and Cate, two individuals who have embarked on a unique living arrangement through The Room Xchange matching service. Discover how sharing living spaces can be a rewarding solution for loneliness and personal growth.

I'm grateful for the support and guidance provided by the service. They helped us navigate through the process and ensure that our house-sharing arrangement would work seamlessly. - Cate

When Hansraj and Cate first connected through our platform, they immediately sensed a shared interest in creating a harmonious living environment. Our meticulous matching algorithms took into account their preferences, lifestyles, and values, carefully analyzing every detail to ensure compatibility.

Through a series of conversations facilitated by our platform, Hansraj and Cate delved into their expectations, aspirations, and daily routines. They explored their hobbies, and interests, and even discussed their approach to maintaining a tidy living space. It quickly became evident that they shared similar values and deep respect for each other's boundaries.

The matching service played a pivotal role in identifying the common threads that would contribute to a successful house-sharing experience. It highlighted their complementary personalities and the potential for a strong bond to develop. As they delved deeper into their conversations, they realised the remarkable potential for personal growth and meaningful connections within their shared space.

With our assistance, Hansraj and Cate navigated through the process of evaluating their compatibility. They meticulously assessed the practical aspects, such as household responsibilities, financial arrangements, and schedules. Their discussions were marked by transparency, open communication, and a genuine desire to ensure a mutually beneficial living arrangement.

The meticulousness of our matching service provided Hansraj and Cate with the confidence to move forward, knowing that they had found a truly compatible house-sharing match. Today, they cherish the rewarding experience of cohabitating, reaping the benefits of companionship, personal growth, and the joy of sharing their lives.

At our core, we strive to connect individuals who share not only physical living spaces but also a sense of belonging and connection. Through our exceptional matching service, we continue to transform the lives of many, forging bonds that go beyond mere cohabitation.

If you're seeking a house-sharing match made in heaven, trust our matching service to guide you on a journey towards finding your ideal housemate. Experience the transformative power of living together, where shared spaces become a source of growth and friendship.

Contact The Room Xchange

• Tweet us at @theroomxchange and @LudwinaDautovic
• Share a story on instagram @theroomxchange
• Email us at [email protected]

Please leave us a review
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www.theroomxchange.com