Is it possible to have a lodger in a self-contained annexe?

Cissi

Artful, if I understand you correctly that sounds pretty promising (although again, I'm not mainly worried about the contract with the tenant as this will be a close relation, but rather the legal aspects, to make sure that we're not in breach of anything).

theartfullodger

(Speaking as a Landlord...) the question I would ask myself re having a lodger/tenant who was a friend/relative....

If it all goes wrong, friend gets new girl-friend/toy-boy in, kids as well, rent ain't paid, everyone starts arguing etc. etc... are you prepared to evict friend & the kids...???

If not, regardless of legal status/tenancy type, don't even start...

Cheers!

Lodger

zzzLazyDaisy

Just a thought - if the annexe is totally self contained, you don't get the tax free exemption under the rent a room scheme.

Would it be possible to have this person stay as a guest rent free, but to contribute in some other way (I'm thinking maybe agree to pay the council tax and/or gas bill as her contribution to shared living expenses. If she paid them by direct debit from her account directly to the utility provider, then no money would pass through your account, and she would be living more as a member of the family and contributing to joint household expenses, rather than as a lodger/tenant.

As I say, just a thought.

Cissi

Lodger, yes absolutely, if things went terribly wrong we would be prepared to evict them. For various reasons the scenarios you suggest would be extremely unlikely, but we're all aware that unforeseen things can happen, and we wouldn't even consider this if we weren't prepared to deal with possible consequences.

LazyDaisy, thank you, I like your thinking, and in fact we're already thinking along similar lines, ie some of the payment would be in kind, for example babysitting services where no money would change hands - all agreed in advance, of course.

Soot2006

Knock a door into the wall ... keep it locked .

theartfullodger

Re: "Occupier with Basic Protection" this
http://mobile.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/renting_and_leasehold/private_tenancies/occupiers_with_basic_protection
from the excellent Shelter web-site outlines rights of tenants in such circumstances...

Cheers!

Lodger

Jelliebeen

With regards to paying council tax on self contained annexes, this is something I sent to my parents who have a granny flat they let as holiday accommodation:

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/resources/property-news/rental-news/self-contained-annexes-could-be-banded-for-council-tax/a-2-56-1707/

parisjordana

i read this with total interest because we are in the exact same position as yourselves.....

lincroft1710

Jelliebeen wrote: »

With regards to paying council tax on self contained annexes, this is something I sent to my parents who have a granny flat they let as holiday accommodation:

http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/resources/property-news/rental-news/self-contained-annexes-could-be-banded-for-council-tax/a-2-56-1707/

This article is about 16 years too late!! "Granny flats" have been liable for separate CT band since start 1 April 1993.

Jelliebeen

Thanks for correcting me! Maybe they're just starting to enforce the CT banding now, was it pretty much unenforced before? My parents don't pay two lots of CT...