Free House Sitting - is there a catch?

BIG_GEE_2

would greatly appreciate any advice on the following.

long story short - I've sold my flat (eventually) and, due to a lack of suitable properties on the market, had decided to rent until something came up. Out of the blue a friend of my parents has said I'm free to stay in their house (which they're about to put on the market) until it's sold. They no longer live there and stay in another property. I'd simply have to pay them cash for the council tax and general bills whilst there but they'll all be kept in their names to avoid hassle. Mail would also be directed to my parents address. So essentially no real evidence that I live in their house.
What's currently stopping me biting their hand off is this nagging feeling that when it comes a few months down the line and I need to get a mortgage the lender will somehow see me as the invisible man and not lend me the money? Who's gonna know I've been living there if none of the bills have my name on them? Am I worrying about nothing?

BitterAndTwisted

You're worrying about nothing. Register on the electoral roll and have the address changed for all of your bank accounts and whatnot at your parents' address and that should satisfy any future lender.

pararct

Only downside I can see is you have no security of tenure.

In other words they could ask you to leave at a moments notice.

As far as any potential future lender is concerned simply tell them you were at mum and dads.

PasturesNew

Register everything at your parents' address.
No problem.

BIG_GEE_2

so the consensus seems to be that there's nothing to worry about. Thanks folks.:j

Wyndham

There is an adavantage to them as well. Insurance companies don't like houses to be empty for too long, so if you are there it probably helps them to keep their policy.

SuzieSue

Wyndham wrote: »

There is an adavantage to them as well. Insurance companies don't like houses to be empty for too long, so if you are there it probably helps them to keep their policy.

Yes, but I think the owners should tell their insurance company that a non-relative is occuping the property as otherwise their insurance might be invalidated.

Mojisola

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

You're worrying about nothing. Register on the electoral roll and have the address changed for all of your bank accounts and whatnot at your parents' address and that should satisfy any future lender.

This would be okay as long as your parents aren't getting any benefits that could be affected by another wage-earner living in the house.

sonastin

I did something similar many years ago. A friend was on secondment with work in another city so they put him up in an all expenses paid flat. I officially lived with my parents but "stayed over" at his house, oh roughly 7 nights a week. In fact, it must have been 10 years ago because it was census year and the census lady really wouldn't believe it was an empty property and insisted I fill out the census form. I think I might have existed twice in 2001 because my parents had me down on their form as well.

king100

pararct wrote: »

Only downside I can see is you have no security of tenure.

In other words they could ask you to leave at a moments notice.

As far as any potential future lender is concerned simply tell them you were at mum and dads.

But it takes time to sell a house, they wont be asked to leave in 2 days.

Ask the parents to at least advise you if they have accepted an offer.

Are they asking you to show potential buyers around?

Houses are better if slightly furnished to sell than no furniture in them.

mlz1413

I'd say the risk is all their side as you could refuse to move out as and when they do sell. By not receiving rent they do not create a tenancy with you, which would benefit them IF you caused trouble.

If it all runs as friends, ie you keep the place clean, allow viewings anytime, keep the place secure and lived in, then I think its a great deal. As others have said register yourself somewhere and remember this is not forever but a good deal whilst it lasts.