BTL for girlfriend on LHA?

persa

If she fell into rent arrears, would you evict her? Or would you feel unable to make the child homeless?

Given you seem to have an uncertain job and an uncertain love life, moving in with her or buying a house for her seem like equally bad ideas. On the face of it, it doesn't sound legally possible, but on a personal level, the timing doesn't sound right for a big commitment.

Enjoy what you have and reconsider living arrangements when everything feels more secure - work and love.

Pixie5740

Cautious_Optimist wrote: »

Well some people buy houses and let them out to complete strangers....

Yes they do. It's called running a business and I don't know of any LL and T sleeping together. It's certainly not something I've ever done as a T nor would I expect to. I'd expect someone running a business to keep things professional and above board.

New_User

Maybe the best option would be to get your GF off benefits and set up a tenancy without LHA?
I don't know if there is any rule against ''contrived tenancy'' - where the tenant is not claiming LHA...


I took in a lodger who is claiming LHA, but no one has mentioned ''contrived lodger''...

Kynthia

New_User wrote: »

Maybe the best option would be to get your GF off benefits and set up a tenancy without LHA?
I don't know if there is any rule against ''contrived tenancy'' - where the tenant is not claiming LHA...


I took in a lodger who is claiming LHA, but no one has mentioned ''contrived lodger''...

Strange post. Firstly how he is meant to get his girlfriend off benefits? Secondly do you even know what a contrived tenancy is as it's about abuse of LHA, so must involve LHA claims and is usually when there is a close relationship with the landlord?


OP, it's best to leave this. You don't really want to be a landlord, it will be complicated being a landlord to your girlfriend, you can't really take on financial commitments if your work isn't secure, etc. All you can do is be a supportive boyfriend, ensure she knows her rights if this landlord isn't fulfilling their obligations, and maybe help her search for somewhere better to live that accepts LHA.

Elfbert

mouthscradle wrote: »

Say you go ahead with it, and this is one of those relationships that unexpectedly ends overnight. Then she wants to move her amazing new boyfriend in to the house that you bought just to help her and are making probably zero profit (or even a loss) on each month. Would you still think this was a good idea? Crazy.

This is what I was going to say!

Say the relationship (or whatever you're calling it) does break down - you might want to keep her on as a 'good' tenant, but what if she goes? Then you have an empty house to pay the mortgage on. And supposing you can't find a friend/relative/neighbour/colleague that you DO want to rent to, and have to rent to someone else - some unknown random person - or face trying to sell the house again/pay the mortgage, when your job isn't that secure and you have money from other members of your family tied up in it!

Sounds like it could be a nightmare in the making, even if it isn't a contrived tenancy!

Couldn't you just offer to be her guarantor or something so she can rent a nicer flat on her housing allowance? Still a financial risk, but not nearly such a big one! Especially if she is as trustworthy/a good tenant as you say.

Cautious_Optimist

Elfbert wrote: »

This is what I was going to say!

Say the relationship (or whatever you're calling it) does break down - you might want to keep her on as a 'good' tenant, but what if she goes? Then you have an empty house to pay the mortgage on. And supposing you can't find a friend/relative/neighbour/colleague that you DO want to rent to, and have to rent to someone else - some unknown random person - or face trying to sell the house again/pay the mortgage, when your job isn't that secure and you have money from other members of your family tied up in it!

Sounds like it could be a nightmare in the making, even if it isn't a contrived tenancy!

Couldn't you just offer to be her guarantor or something so she can rent a nicer flat on her housing allowance? Still a financial risk, but not nearly such a big one! Especially if she is as trustworthy/a good tenant as you say.

I think this is probably the best idea.
If I can act as guarantor and / or put some advance rent up for her.
Like you say, still a risk, but most things are...
Maybe if I gave her a large deposit, she could pay me back gradually?

New_User

Cautious_Optimist wrote: »

I think this is probably the best idea.
If I can act as guarantor and / or put some advance rent up for her.
Like you say, still a risk, but most things are...
Maybe if I gave her a large deposit, she could pay me back gradually?

She'll only screw you over if a better offer comes along...
If she defaults on her new rental property, you will be liable, but SHE will still need to find somewhere new....

Pixie5740

If it's still early days in the relationship then I wouldn't go buying a BTL nor would I act as guarantor because you can't wriggle out of it if the relationship goes down the pooper.

Maybe offer help with a deposit for a new place and/or moving costs but lend it knowing that you might never get it back.

New_User

Mercurial wrote: »

OP no matter what you say or try to justify most people will not agree with you. What you are planning to do is not ethical.

OP may be taking advantage of the benefits system, but he is also taking on another man's ex-wife and child.

So perhaps the ex-husband should also be helping out a bit more...?

New_User

nodiscount wrote: »

Personally I think you're just trying to screw the taxpayer.

Look up 'contrived tenancy'

What about the ex-husband?
Perhaps he should help out a bit more?

OP is already taking on another man's child...