Lodger rather than tenant?

kmmr

There is a market for short term tenants at reasonable rates. I am currently short letting, and have found a place almost exactly as you describe. It's a two bed place, and the owner has blocked off one room and gone away for 6 months.

Perfect for us. The only other options were very expensive short lets (Foxtons do them) or share houses. Share houses are cheap, but miserable, and we really wanted to avoid it.

In London I would say there is enough demand. It's just going to be near impossible to say '6 months'. If it's short, people will probably want flexibility - and it may be hard to re-let once someone moves out and you are in Spain.

But, this does answer another question I had, as to whether I was a lodger or a tenant. My landlord has done none of the right things with gas, deposit etc, and I was wondering how to approach it if he holds back some of the deposit. I did remind him twice to lodge it, so I think I would be on solid ground if they try to retain anything.

Wee_Willy_Harris

chucknorris wrote: »

We own 9 properties, this could happen in any of the other 8 at any time. It hasn't happened since I started in 1991.

A professional LL for 20 years with a reasonable sized portfolio of properties and you STILL don't understand even the very basics of LL/T legislation?

chucknorris

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

A professional LL for 20 years with a reasonable sized portfolio of properties and you STILL don't understand even the very basics of LL/T legislation?

Hey moron if you want trouble just PM me I can give it to you in abundance but if you just want to sound big in front of an audiance go elsewhere.

Wee_Willy_Harris

chucknorris wrote: »

Hey moron if you want trouble just PM me I can give it to you in abundance but if you just want to sound big in front of an audiance go elsewhere.

I think it was a reasonable question to ask of a landlord of 20 years who appears to have absolutely no idea of the legal definition of a tenancy. Not quite sure why that would ellicit such a hostile response. Perhaps just an answer would be better, then we could all understand the extent of your knowledge and formulate our answers accordingly.

chucknorris

kmmr wrote: »

There is a market for short term tenants at reasonable rates. I am currently short letting, and have found a place almost exactly as you describe. It's a two bed place, and the owner has blocked off one room and gone away for 6 months.

Perfect for us. The only other options were very expensive short lets (Foxtons do them) or share houses. Share houses are cheap, but miserable, and we really wanted to avoid it.

In London I would say there is enough demand. It's just going to be near impossible to say '6 months'. If it's short, people will probably want flexibility - and it may be hard to re-let once someone moves out and you are in Spain.

But, this does answer another question I had, as to whether I was a lodger or a tenant. My landlord has done none of the right things with gas, deposit etc, and I was wondering how to approach it if he holds back some of the deposit. I did remind him twice to lodge it, so I think I would be on solid ground if they try to retain anything.

Thanks for your idea, funnily enough I stumbled upon foxtons short term let market earlier this morning and it occurred to me that some people may be looking for short term lets however I live in a smallish Surrey town (Dorking) and this would be an annual occurrence so finding someone every year would be quite difficult.

chucknorris

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

I think it was a reasonable question to ask of a landlord of 20 years who appears to have absolutely no idea of the legal definition of a tenancy. Not quite sure why that would ellicit such a hostile response. Perhaps just an answer would be better, then we could all understand the extent of your knowledge and formulate our answers accordingly.

Yes my original post was quite naive have you never made a mistake? However I wanted to start from basics so no idea was left unexplored. For your information I am a chartered surveyor...hang on why am I even justifying myself to you...just go away, I have no interest in communicating with the likes of you.

Wee_Willy_Harris

chucknorris wrote: »

......so no idea was not unexplored.

And you think I'm the moron? lol

No. Locking a bedroom does not prevent the occupier from having exclusive use and a tenancy, regardless of whatever any written agreement or rent level may indicate.

Might I suggest that you join a professional landlord association. They will have resources available to walk you through the basics of a tenancy and prevent any misunderstandings which may cause you considerable problems in the future. The modest cost can be offset as a legitimate business expense.

You may also find this publication helpful....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Renting-Out-Your-Property-Dummies/dp/0470029218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279714899&sr=1-1

chucknorris

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

And you think I'm the moron? lol

No. Locking a bedroom does not prevent the occupier from having exclusive use and a tenancy, regardless of whatever any written agreement or rent level may indicate.

Might I suggest that you join a professional landlord association. They will have resources available to walk you through the basics of a tenancy and prevent any misunderstandings which may cause you considerable problems in the future. The modest cost can be offset as a legitimate business expense.

You may also find this publication helpful....
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Renting-Out-Your-Property-Dummies/dp/0470029218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1279714899&sr=1-1

I made a silly error, it doesn't mean I am stupid. Which you know of course you are just trying to look clever on a forum, how sad. So I do not actually need your advice.
By the way not that I have particularly needed their advice even when dealing with an eviction by myself, I have been a member of the NLA for years (and The RLA before that).

But here's a link for you that I just googled that will help with your problem:

http://www.thundersplace.org.uk/

clutton_2

now boys..... tuu tut.....

OP - do you have any friends who can agree to open and close curtains say twice a week and put different lights on ?

G_M

If you start a thread with, by your own admission, a naive question.
And then declare yourself to be an experienced landlord.

Don't be surprised by the reaction you get.

I know who I consider the moron here.