Can my brother live in my council flat if I leave the country for a few months?

Smodlet

The OP could be going abroad to look for work or, indeed, for work. Not everyone in a council property is either unemployed or lacking in aspiration. I used to be a council tenant when I was single; I have subsequently bought three (and sold two) houses.

Why should someone have to give up a secure tenancy for the chance to improve themselves or their job prospects? Equally, why should someone have to give up their dreams because they are lucky enough to have a secure tenancy? It is not as if they will not be paying the rent while they are away, is it?

What if they are going abroad for health reasons?

Whatever the OP's situation, it is not our business unless he chooses to share it and I see no reason why he should not be allowed to have someone house sit his place if he is going to be away for a while, just as any home owner might. His brother is merely keeping an eye on the place to deter burglars, keep it clean and aired, etc.

Cakeguts

Smodlet wrote: »

The OP could be going abroad to look for work or, indeed, for work. Not everyone in a council property is either unemployed or lacking in aspiration. I used to be a council tenant when I was single; I have subsequently bought three (and sold two) houses.

Why should someone have to give up a secure tenancy for the chance to improve themselves or their job prospects? Equally, why should someone have to give up their dreams because they are lucky enough to have a secure tenancy? It is not as if they will not be paying the rent while they are away, is it?

What if they are going abroad for health reasons?

Whatever the OP's situation, it is not our business unless he chooses to share it and I see no reason why he should not be allowed to have someone house sit his place if he is going to be away for a while, just as any home owner might. His brother is merely keeping an eye on the place to deter burglars, keep it clean and aired, etc.

I agree. It just makes me suspicious of motives when someone asks about council rules on secure tenancies on a forum rather than asking the council who gave them the secure tenancy. It makes it look as if they don't want the council to know about their plans for one reason or another.



None of us on here know which council or which rules apply so non of us can give an answer to the question. The only people who can are working in that particular council housing department. So what is stopping the OP from asking the council who gave them the secure tenancy?

martindow

Cakeguts wrote: »

I agree. It just makes me suspicious of motives when someone asks about council rules on secure tenancies on a forum rather than asking the council who gave them the secure tenancy. It makes it look as if they don't want the council to know about their plans for one reason or another.

I think I would be wary about approaching the council if I was committed to a three month contract, say, in case they somehow were able to terminate my tenancy. I would have posted here first.

Noodles7791

If you're going away for 3 months I wouldn't say a word about it. As long as your brother is quiet and repectful no one needs to know your away.

xylophone

The rent will be paid by the OP - his brother will act as caretaker, dealing with any problems that may arise during the OP's temporary absence?

That seems fair enough to me.

osulljohn

Hi all,

Thank you for your replies and sorry for my late response, I didn't see any email notifications of responses so I assumed it was a dead question/post...

My current employer has suggested the possibility of working abroad for them for up to 6 months and I would like my brother to look after my place while I'm away. I didn't go directly to the landlord as they have been pretty useless at getting any advice/help from on numerous topics in the past so thought others here may have had some similar experiences.

I of course intend to continue to pay the rent here, I just want to make sure the place is safe and looked after while I'm away.

I've since found out some info from their tenancy documents online so I will be making further enquiries with them directly soon. I hope that it will not be an issue as the opportunity to work abroad is quite exciting.

shortcrust

Cakeguts wrote: »

The bit I don't understand about this is why someone needs a council house if they have somewhere they can live in another country? Surely that amounts to tenancy fraud by claiming that you are homeless when in fact you are not because you have a home in a different country?

Yeah! Send them all back.

getmore4less

here is what Camden council have to say, I suspect many councils will have similar.

I'm a council tenant, can I go away temporarily and leave a friend or relative in my home?
You do not need to tell us unless you will be away for longer than three months, although it is sensible to tell us if you are away from home for more than a short time.

If you are going to be away for more than three months and would like a friend or relative to stay in your home in your absence, you must ask your housing officer if they will agree this. You will need to give them details about who will be staying in your home and let them know how they can contact you.

We do not usually agree that tenants can be away from home for longer than six months, although if you have a good reason to be away for longer this can be considered (for example if you are working or studying away from home temporarily)

Note: if you are away from home for more than three months and you have left someone else living in your flat without the agreement of the Council, the occupant may be considered 'an illegal occupant' and we may take legal action to repossess your tenancy

[Deleted User]

Not only has @theselfishaltruist resurrected another old social housing thread but keeps posting garbage about lodgers. 

Slithery

theselfishaltruist said:

...

Citation needed. Please link to the relevant laws as everything you've said is untrue.