Lodger query

sec79

Hi, I own a 2 bed house outright. If I rented out one room full-time, and the other bedroom Monday to Friday, and I stayed in this room one weekend per month, would the two people be considered lodgers please?
I could possibly end up relocating for work purposes for upto 6 months, which is why I am exploring various options. I would prefer not to rent the house out for 6 months, as it seems like such a lot of hassle for a short amount of time. I'm aware I would have to obtain permission from the insurance company. Thank you

pmlindyloo

sec79 wrote: »

Hi, I own a 2 bed house outright. If I rented out one room full-time, and the other bedroom Monday to Friday, and I stayed in this room one weekend per month, would the two people be considered lodgers please?
I could possibly end up relocating for work purposes for upto 6 months, which is why I am exploring various options. I would prefer not to rent the house out for 6 months, as it seems like such a lot of hassle for a short amount of time. I'm aware I would have to obtain permission from the insurance company. Thank you

To be able to class them as lodgers you need to prove that you are a resident landlord.

This does not mean that you have to be occupying the house all the time - just that it is your principle home.

So, where will you be living when you are not in your actual home?

This link may be of help:

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?18820-Resident-Landlord-definition

Depending on where you live at other times this may be possible.

However, one thought, would the Monday to Friday 'lodger' be happy for you to be sleeping in 'their' room?

sec79

Hi
If I did end up working away I would rent a room as it would be too costly and too far to commute from my existing property. Good point about the potential monday to friday lodger, I will bear this in mind.

SerialRenter

Problem i see:

Monday to friday rental doesn't mean they're packing up all their stuff and leaving for the weekend. If you're going to sleep in their room with their stuff & sleeping in their bed, with their bedding I doubt you'll find a lodger thats ok with this.

PasturesNew

It's got Disaster written all over it. Once the two realise they're alone there and you're not a resident landlord they'll both start to form different views about their status and 'rights'.

The full-time lodger will probably find themselves pee'd off with the attitude of the Monday-Friday lodger around housekeeping/cleaning and washing up etc.

The Mon-Fri lodger will probably tend to be more relaxed about the space (aka annoying to the full-time lodger).

It's also common/more usual for Mon-Fri lodgers to be provided with their bedding/towels, so you'd arrive on a Friday night to have to strip the beds and do their washing and your own.... while placating the full-time lodger who is moaning about what an 4rse the Mon-Fri person is. Then you'll have to strip your bed and remake it first thing Monday morning before you leave again.... and run the vacuum round .... probably annoying the full-time lodger at 5am.

Then, what if one/either just leaves? You'll then have (probably the wrong) one alone in the house.

It wouldn't work really.... and it wouldn't be wise. Also, household insurance might take a dim view should anything unexpected occur.

Kynthia

As long as you can prove it's still your primary residence then this is theoretically possible. This will be easier to prove if it's a temporary setup or it's obvious where you're staying midweek isn't your main home. As the above post shows, there are practical issues you'd need to deal with.

System

I would think that the full time lodger would be in a good position to claim to be a tenant with the owner regularly (I.E. every month) not being in residence for 28 days or more., especially as the owner will not have a permanent bedroom at the place.

Strapped

If you're only going to be there one weekend a month, I'd sleep on the sofa. (Advertise two bedrooms, use of lounge shared with landlord).

I rented out all the bedrooms in my house when I got together with my (now) husband but kept the house as my main address. I was still in the same town though and popping back regularly, so didn't have quite the same practical issues as you will have. One trustworthy lodger would be easier to manage.

I've also been a lodger when my LL went off travelling for several months around Oz

G_M

Your solicitor, and the 'occupants' solicitors, will have a field day with this (iat your /their expense).

Who will win in court on the 'tenant Vs lodger' dispute? Very unclear. About 60/40 (in the occupants' favour) I would guess.

my advice? Either

* move out a let the property under an AST or
* get a lodger in one room and keep the other room for yourself.

jjlandlord

If:
- the property is currently your principal residence and,
- you only live somewhere else during the week and for only 6 months for work purposes and,
- you keep your belongings, address, etc. at the property,

Than there is little chance that any lodger would gain AST status.

System

you only live somewhere else during the week and for only 6 months for work purposes and,

Unfortunately the OP only wants to come back for one weekend a month