Living with parents - signing tenancy?

froud

Hi all

Wondering if you had any ideas on this. I am currently living at home with my mum and sister, I am 22 and my sister is 19.

My mum is renting our house from a private landlord/ estate agents. She recently asked the landlord if we could move to another house which they own and they agreed. However, they have said that me and my sister will need to sign the tenancy agreement now as we are 'both adults'.

It just seemed a little strange to me. I thought that as it's my mums house she should be the one signing the agreement etc. The lady who deals with us at the estate agents is always causing us trouble and lying to us about things, so I just want to make sure this isn't some kind of scam on us. I don't know of anyone else living with their parents having to do this!

Also what does it mean when we sign the agreement? Are we binded into anything, and how will it affect us? I will make sure to give the tenancy agreement a good read before we sign it.

thanks for the help

BigAunty

The Shelter website has good information about your rights and responsibilities when it comes to a joint tenancy.

Yes, if you sign a contract such as a tenancy, it is legally binding.

For example, you will be jointly and severally liable for any rent arrears - the landlord (or their agent) can come after any or all of the tenants for the rent.

If any joint tenant serves notice because they leave the property, it ends the tenancy for all unless the landlord consents to the other tenants remaining and signing a new agreement, for example.

Have a read of the Shelter website to understand about the responsibilities that come with being a tenant.

G_M

Perfectly logical.

Most LLs will want all resident adults to be named on the tenancy agreement.

Now that you are grown up you need to start acting like..... a grown up.

theartfullodger

Many landlords want all adults on tenancy so that should anything go wrong (rent not paid, eetc etc..) they can sue any of the joint tenants.. and usually go after the easiest one to find and recover money from..

If landlord doesn't like your terms he can say no. If tenants don't like landlord's/agents terms they can say no: And find somewhere else..

Life ain't fair or what you expect/want....

froud

Thanks guys. So basically if I sign the tenancy agreement i'm classed as the joint tennant? If my mum is in arrears with the rent can this go against my credit reference and things like that when I am looking for my own house?