Best friend moving in with me - why would solicitors need his signature?

DFCClarky

I'm currently in the process of buying a 2 bedroom flat, of which I'll be living in and my best friend will be lodging in the spare room. My solicitors rang me up last week asking for his address (as I had declared he would be moving in with me on the form they sent me). I refused saying that they could send any correspondence via me. I asked why they needed his details, and they replied so that he could sign something.

My question is - why would they need him to sign something on this, when he is nothing to do with my mortgage or purchase of the property?

Thanks in advance.

Thrugelmir

DFCClarky wrote: »

I'm currently in the process of buying a 2 bedroom flat, of which I'll be living in and my best friend will be lodging in the spare room. My solicitors rang me up last week asking for his address (as I had declared he would be moving in with me on the form they sent me). I refused saying that they could send any correspondence via me. I asked why they needed his details, and they replied so that he could sign something.

My question is - why would they need him to sign something on this, when he is nothing to do with my mortgage or purchase of the property?

Thanks in advance.

What did you write on the form that the solicitors sent?

DFCClarky

The initial form they included when first starting the dealings on the property asked if anyone else would be living in the property. In hindsight, I probably should have just left it blank, but I didn't really think it would be a big deal.

So all I've given them is my friends name.

Thrugelmir

DFCClarky wrote: »

The initial form they included when first starting the dealings on the property asked if anyone else would be living in the property. In hindsight, I probably should have just left it blank, but I didn't really think it would be a big deal.

So all I've given them is my friends name.

Then your prospective lender may have seen this information.

The letter that they will want signed will be with reference to his residency status in the property. By sending it to you there's no guarantee that your friend will see or sign the form.

Though I'm not suggesting anything untoward by making that comment.

DFCClarky

Oh, I'll definitely be passing the letter on. I guess I'm just unduly worried about what they might want, and whether it will affect my mortgage (even though I've received a formal mortgage offer) - it's just something else to be concerned about! Thanks for your help.

Ilian2008

Anybody over the age of 18 living in the property will have rights of occupation as a lodger or otherwise and in the event the lender repossesses could cause a problem so usually the lender requires a Deeod Postponement of Occupiers consent confirming that they will vacate immediately in the event of repossession.

Its very common

DFCClarky

Thanks for that, Ilian. I've just got my dad to open the letter that came today about it (still at work but very nervous at the whole thing) - apparently that's pretty much what it is. It does make sense, but when the solicitors called to ask for an address, it seemed quite strange that they wouldn't go into any details about what it was and it was worrying!

mlz1413

I'm surprised your solicitor won't discuss with you a form that needs signing in connection with your mortgage.

BUT if you are worried as your friend to go to your solicitors with you to sign it, then you can both ask your solicitor what the form means, any implications etc.