Garage and Tenant?

Cherryjack

Hello,

Just wanted to ask something as im not sure where to go with this one...

I have a property thats being rented with a letting agency..and the contract runs til May this year. It has a garage in a block.. and is needed with the area due to car crime..
The lady renting is not using the garage. This evening a friend who lives on the same street has said he needs a garage to rent and would i be interested in renting it to him as the tenant does not use it.

I dont really know what to reply? i mean he could ask her and she may be happy for a few extra quid? what do you think? The trouble is when she leaves i need the garage back, and would hate it if he then refused to move out of the garage..could prove to be a real pain. Want to help if I can tho...

would appreciate some advice:beer:

phill99

If you let the garage it would be better coming from you, not the tenant. And surely under the terms of the tenancy she isn't allowed to sublet, which she would be doing if she let the garage to your neighbour.

Get a side letter annexed to the tenancy agreement to say that the garage is being taken out of the lease provisions (both parties ned to sign).

Then let the garage to the neighbour via a formal agreement with say 30 days notice on each part.

I rent a garage and pay £8.00 a week.

G_M

1) Currently the garage is not yours to rent out (unless it is explicitly excluded fom the tenancy agreement).

2) Most tenancy agreements prohibit subletting (check your own TA!) so the tenant cannot rent it out.

3) However there is nothing to stop you and the tenant agreeing to vary the TA to allow either
a) the tenant to sublet or
b) you to regain control of the garage from the tenancy and rent it seperately.

Either way - you'll need to ensure any new agreement to rent the garage is for a fixed term - and only you can decide what term would be appropriate.

Discuss with tenant and reach a financial arrangement.

Cherryjack

thanks guys so much for taking the time to reply. Because the house needs the garage if the tenant has a car (because of the crime).. yd never think.. it looks so lovely there!! but my car would get broken into twice a year atleast! I think its best to leave it together.. if she leaves in May then i would need this as part of the package for someone else.. for about £50.00 its almost not worth the hassle... oh i hate being put on the spot, will feel mean saying no to the old neighbour...

Maybe i could asses in May if she does leave.. i could then rent them out seperatly if the new person that moves in does not have a car..

Oneday77

I would say be mean. Even if the new tennant doesn't have a car they may get one. They my have a regular visit from an 'overnight' friend who would want it. The old neighbour is chancing their arm, jus say no. You'll hurt your own ability to rent if you seperate them. Not to mention doubling the paperwork hassles.

Cherryjack

Thanks oneday .. i agree will be too much hassle

rentergirl

Explain that it's too much hassle and that there are legal and tax issues to separating them.

mathsmaster

Oneday77 wrote: »

I would say be mean. Even if the new tennant doesn't have a car they may get one. They my have a regular visit from an 'overnight' friend who would want it. The old neighbour is chancing their arm, jus say no. You'll hurt your own ability to rent if you seperate them. Not to mention doubling the paperwork hassles.

:rotfl:Nearly sprayed my monitor in tea. I really should stop reading whenever I take a sip!

Cherryjack

LOL i didnt see that as you read it haha ..:D

Badger_Lady

I would suggest that the neighbour approach the tenant directly and ask if they can just use it. In the spirit of good neighbourliness it doesn't have to be charged for and would save you any headaches re administration.

It does seem a shame to leave a garage empty when someone nearby needs it.

If the tenant isn't willing to lend it for free, then they probably aren't willing to have it taken out of their lease for free either.