Dossing
It is possible - if not likely - that at some stage
during your time in the UK you will either be a
dosser or be asked by someone if they can doss at
your place. Dossing gives you a roof over your
head and a spot on the floor until you find your own
accommodation on arrival or after extended travels.
However, to a surprising number of travellers dossing
becomes a way of life – moving from flat to flat
as they outstay their welcome at each and every one.
In other words, some people are happy freeloading
off others and taking advantage of the hospitality
offered. Beware of such people, and make sure that
the rules for dossers are clear – for example,
it is not uncommon to charge £5 to £10
per night and expect a contribution to cleaning etc,
and expect to provide the same if you are dossing
with others.
Of course there are a lot of flats that are almost
unofficial hostels, with a small core of semi-permanent
residents and an ever-changing cast of dossers and
short-termers. If 16 people in 3 bedrooms sounds like
your kind of thing, or money is especially tight,
accommodation listings in magazines such as TNT
and New Zealand News UK can point you in
the right direction. The Gumtree
portal also has listings.
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