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Tenants want boyfriend to move in - ok?
scarletjim
Posts: 561 Forumite
I've rented my 2-bed flat to 2 girls for about 2 years now. One of them has been seeing a guy for nearly a year now, and when his contract ends on his place in Feb 2015, they want him to move in (obviously he will share one bedroom with his girlfriend). The other girl is happy with it as it means she can pay a bit less rent. On the surface, I think I'm comfortable with this, but a few thoughts:
1. Is there anything I need to be wary of? Am I putting myself into significantly more risk somehow by doing this?
2. What is the best way to structure it? i.e. Should I leave the girls paying their separate halves of the rent to me as they do now, and let them sort it out with him, or should I have a contract with him also? I can see pros and cons - 3 contracts mean it's all official, but alternatively if I leave it as it is, then my contract remains with the two girls who I trust, and if he doesn't pay etc then it's their problem.
3. Should I charge a bit more? Their rent is about 20% lower than the going rate, as they are friends and they couldn't afford much, so I wanted to help them out 2 years ago. If they have a 3rd person sharing, then I'm not sure that 'discount' remains necessary. I don't want to rip them off, and yes I know I can charge whatever I like, but what's the norm in such a situation, if you rented a 2-bed flat to 3 adults rather than to 2, would you charge any more (additional wear & tear etc)?
Would welcome any thoughts or advice that anyone might have - thanks in advance.
1. Is there anything I need to be wary of? Am I putting myself into significantly more risk somehow by doing this?
2. What is the best way to structure it? i.e. Should I leave the girls paying their separate halves of the rent to me as they do now, and let them sort it out with him, or should I have a contract with him also? I can see pros and cons - 3 contracts mean it's all official, but alternatively if I leave it as it is, then my contract remains with the two girls who I trust, and if he doesn't pay etc then it's their problem.
3. Should I charge a bit more? Their rent is about 20% lower than the going rate, as they are friends and they couldn't afford much, so I wanted to help them out 2 years ago. If they have a 3rd person sharing, then I'm not sure that 'discount' remains necessary. I don't want to rip them off, and yes I know I can charge whatever I like, but what's the norm in such a situation, if you rented a 2-bed flat to 3 adults rather than to 2, would you charge any more (additional wear & tear etc)?
Would welcome any thoughts or advice that anyone might have - thanks in advance.
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Comments
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You can't stop them. It's their property.
Rent is however they choose to split it.
If u want to increase rent, follow normal procedures0 -
I would say let them work it out. Keep only the two girls on the tenancy, both equally liable for the rent. Make sure they both understand that they will both be liable for the rent even if one of the three moves out. ie so they don't assume that they only have to pay their new share of the rent Let them work out the split themselves but continue to receive the rent from the two girls only. If the relationship ends, everyone will know where they stand.Changing the world, one sarcastic comment at a time.0
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I would say let them work it out. Keep only the two girls on the tenancy, both equally liable for the rent. Make sure they both understand that they will both be liable for the rent even if one of the three moves out. ie so they don't assume that they only have to pay their new share of the rent Let them work out the split themselves but continue to receive the rent from the two girls only. If the relationship ends, everyone will know where they stand.
agree with above and also put the rent up say 5%-10% for the extra wear and tear.I am a LandLord,(under review) so there!:p0 -
You can't stop them. It's their property.
I don't understand this - surely a landlord has absolutely every right to say who is living in his flat?
But if general consensus is that I'm not being taken for a ride or putting myself at significant additional risk etc, for the sake of 5%-10%, I'll probably just leave everything exactly as it is and let them get on with it. 0 -
scarletjim wrote: »I don't understand this - surely a landlord has absolutely every right to say who is living in his flat?
But if general consensus is that I'm not being taken for a ride or putting myself at significant additional risk etc, for the sake of 5%-10%, I'll probably just leave everything exactly as it is and let them get on with it.
Nope.
They can't sublet or assign ( usually, as tenancy prevents this ).
But they have exclusive rights to use the property. That means they choose who is welcome there and who isn't. That includes you. You have no say what so ever. Whether they want to live there just the two of them, or with a BF each, or in some multi partner fashion.
It's their property for the term if the lease.
Now - if they wanted to move out but had someone lined up to replace them, then ud have a huge say.
As for leaving things as they are, that would make you a very good landlord. Their bills will go up anyway. The two tenants remain liable for the flat. No new contracts to deal with, or deposits to protect.
It's nice that they asked, and by all means say thanks for the honesty.0 -
When I moved in with my boyfriend, my landlord didn't mind, but when it came to officially adding me to the lease, I had to pay a top up deposit and our rent increased. I always assumed this was because multiple people = more expensive insurance, extra keys etc.
I think if he moved in and didn't add his name to the lease officially, I don't think he has any legal say in anything - he doesn't get a key, he can't call in repairs etc. If his girlfriend moves out, he either has to leave too or add his name to the lease. Would he technically become a lodger of the gf? Not sure.0 -
When I moved in with my boyfriend, my landlord didn't mind, but when it came to officially adding me to the lease, I had to pay a top up deposit and our rent increased. I always assumed this was because multiple people = more expensive insurance, extra keys etc.
I think if he moved in and didn't add his name to the lease officially, I don't think he has any legal say in anything - he doesn't get a key, he can't call in repairs etc. If his girlfriend moves out, he either has to leave too or add his name to the lease. Would he technically become a lodger of the gf? Not sure.
Ofcourse he can have a key. A key doesn't give him rights...
No he's not a lodger, they are one household.
But you are correct that he has no legal right to remain.0
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