question from house owner

benjus

Foxy-Stoat wrote: »

You don't need a gas safety certificate if you sell, only if your renting out the house.

Not even sure you need one if you have a lodger.

According to the HSE website you do need one if you have a lodger, but not if you're allowing a family member to live rent free in your home.

Rambosmum

But if he suspects it wont pass, he could be liable in the event of an issue.

Mojisola

At least buy a CO detector!

Foxy-Stoat_3

sadiesun wrote: »

it hasn't had a gas check and I am not confident it would pass all the checks needed

If that is the case then cut off the gas now! Whats up with the gas supply/boiler etc?

Pixie5740

If there's no tenancy agreement and no rent is paid which would create a tenancy, would the brother actually be a tenant? I suspect not although I could be wrong.

Foxy-Stoat_3

Pixie5740 wrote: »

If there's no tenancy agreement and no rent is paid which would create a tenancy, would the brother actually be a tenant? I suspect not although I could be wrong.

If they had sole use of the property then yes they would, thats why best put him in as a lodger and dont change your main residence yet.

sadiesun

thanks for all the comments again, plenty of food for thought, which isn't necessarily a good thing, just means it not straight forward. The house sitting contract seems like a good idea though, as does the lodger idea. With regards the gas, I bought the house when I got divorced as I needed something quickly and it was my grandmas house that had been empty from when she went into a home Nothing had been done to the gas or electric since she bought it I think, so its really antiquated, I don't think there is anything dangerous, but the utilities are just ancient. No central heating etc, it may well be that the gas check would be fine, I don't know anything about it tbh.
thanks

eddddy

sadiesun wrote: »

Hi,
I am a house owner but am leaving the area (moving in with girlfriend) and don't want to leave the house empty until it sells, so I am thinking of letting my brother live in it rent free, he will pay the bills and I will continue to pay the mortgage. my question is am I legally allowed to do this or will the council be on me like a ton of bricks? And if this is allowed is there anything I would need to do to make it official.
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Stuart

It sounds like mountains are being made out of a mole hills.

You're temporarily staying with your girlfriend as a guest, and your brother is temporarily staying at your house as a guest. Realistically, I don't think anyone important will know or care.

... unless you don't trust your brother and are worried that he will claim some kind of tenancy rights, change the locks, refuse to leave when you sell, or something like that.

Foxy-Stoat_3

If it can be marketed now then I would just appoint an Estate Agent and leave them with the keys. Plenty of properties for sale that are empty.

If you need to carry out decorations etc then get your Bro in as a lodger and do the work yourself.

macman

You say you have no money to spend to maintain the house, but you are paying a mortgage on it. So it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask your brother to contribute something in lieu of rent-like a contribution towards the mortgage?
Or, if he's living rent free, can he not carry out some renovations for you?