We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!

Renta a living room on the house

2

Comments

  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    sevenhills wrote: »
    It would not pass fire regulations for a start!
    Plenty of licensed HMOs around here seem to manage it - here's an example:

    https://espc.com/property/3-south-oxford-street-edinburgheh8-9qf/927968
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    davidmcn wrote: »
    Plenty of licensed HMOs around here seem to manage it - here's an example:

    https://espc.com/property/3-south-oxford-street-edinburgheh8-9qf/927968

    The original question was about renting out a living room as a bedroom! Not about spending thousands on turning it into a HMO
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    sevenhills wrote: »
    The original question was about renting out a living room as a bedroom! Not about spending thousands on turning it into a HMO
    Well, in that example the living room has been turned into a bedroom. Doing so isn't necessarily going to breach fire regulations.

    (and in Scotland the OP's example would already require to be licensed as an HMO)
  • Silvertabby
    Silvertabby Posts: 10,387 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    How many bathrooms does the house have?
  • moneyistooshorttomention
    moneyistooshorttomention Posts: 17,940 Forumite
    edited 21 April 2018 at 6:36PM
    Cakeguts wrote: »
    You would need to check with your local council regarding their rules on HMOs.

    Good point.

    Mine had certainly started to get wise to this practice in recent years.

    I had a lodger to start with on buying my first house and there was a brief spell of a 2nd lodger as well. I could have done what I pleased and squished in a 3rd lodger if I'd tried to use the sitting room as a bedroom at the outset. I wouldnt have dreamt of it - but the Council certainly put in regulations over the years that prevented anyone doing anything like that.
  • anselld
    anselld Posts: 8,693 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    sevenhills wrote: »
    The original question was about renting out a living room as a bedroom! Not about spending thousands on turning it into a HMO

    With three unrelated occupants it is already an HMO. With four it is still an HMO though not licensable. The fire regulations are not particularly arduous for small HMOs of this type and converting the living room is unlikely to make a material difference.
  • anselld
    anselld Posts: 8,693 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    moneyistooshorttomention wrote: »
    Good point.

    Mine had certainly started to get wise to this practice in recent years.

    I had a lodger to start with on buying my first house and there was a brief spell of a 2nd lodger as well. I could have done what I pleased and squished in a 3rd lodger if I'd tried to use the sitting room as a bedroom at the outset. I wouldnt have dreamt of it - but the Council certainly put in regulations over the years that prevented anyone doing anything like that.

    I very much doubt they prevented it. They may have made it more difficult in practice.

    The local licensing schemes tend to specify minimum room sizes and total amount of communal amenity space and facilities.

    They do not specifically prevent conversion of a living room into a bedroom so long as the remaining communal space it sufficient to meet the demands of the specified number of occupants.
  • anselld
    anselld Posts: 8,693 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Silvertabby wrote: »
    How many bathrooms does the house have?

    One bathroom is sufficient for four occupants. Why is that relevant?
  • Silvertabby
    Silvertabby Posts: 10,387 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited 21 April 2018 at 8:34PM
    anselld wrote: »
    One bathroom is sufficient for four occupants. Why is that relevant?

    Not in my world it wouldn't be - but then I can't face the day without a shower. 4 people starting work at the same time and all wanting the bathroom/shower? Nightmare !!!
  • anselld
    anselld Posts: 8,693 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Silvertabby wrote: »
    Not in my world.

    The OP asked about the "legal side" not your world.
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 352.4K Banking & Borrowing
  • 253.7K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 454.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 245.4K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 601.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 177.6K Life & Family
  • 259.3K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture