Shared ownership and lodgers

jonas123

I'm thinking of getting a shared ownership property and having a lodger to cover some of the costs. I've read through the housing association website and it does say lodgers are permitted (but not sub-letting).

However, in the lease of the property, it has a clause...

'not to underlet or part with possession of part only of the premises'

Does this mean that I won't be able to have a lodger?

Thanks

richardw

Is the lodger likely to be a friend who stays in the spare room temporarily and just gives you a few quid for this?

HappyMJ

Lodgers are permitted as you are not parting with your property. You will still have full access to the room that you are letting out and can ask the lodger to leave at any time with no notice at all.

jonas123

Lodger would most likely be a friend and would be paying. I'm a bit worried as would they consider it as subletting part of the property > 'not to underlet ... part only of the premises'

Kynthia

Hopefully someone with more knowledge than me will confirm but I think it means you can't let out the whole property and you can't give a lodger 'exclusive access' to a room or part of the property as it would make them a subtenant. If you include a clause in the contract that allows you to enter and clean the room it avoids giving them exclusive possession and therefore you are complying with the lease.

Do a bit of reading on renting out a room and relevant rights and agreements. Don't forget you'll need to record the income with the HMRC even if you claim the 'rent a room relief' and don't need to pay tax on the income.

Oneday77

I may be wrong but as log as the lodger does not have a lock on their door your fine? A lock indicates that they have a little castle to call their own. All would be invaders need permission of the Monarchy to enter.

Wickedkitten

You should be fine really, just make sure to tell the whatever scheme you are with along with the mortgage company, taxman, and your insurers.

poppysarah

Are you able to afford a shared ownership deal without a lodger?

jamie11

with possession of part only of the premises

That's the bit you need to understand, it means you cannot sublet out a part of the premises, only the whole of it (if allowed) or none at all.

Having a lodger is not letting out any part of the premises, that is just having a paying guest. No tenancy is created for a lodger.