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.

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.

Can I let my in-laws temporarily live in my external garage.

xx217xx
xx217xx Posts: 9 Forumite
Seventh Anniversary Combo Breaker
edited 3 February 2019 at 4:09PM in House buying, renting & selling
Hi everyone. Hope someone can help.

Simple: can my in-laws live in my external garage for 6months whilst they save for a new rental home?. They would use our bathroom/kitchen but sleep in the garage. Garage is insulated and has electric. The garage is 2metres from my front door.

Detail: My in-laws (late 50s) are quite low income, but are not low enough for help from the council. They have just received a very large and unexpected bill which they are paying off monthly.

On top of this they are desperately suffering with sleep deprivation caused by young men living above them, they make noise all day long. Music, gaming, play fighting ect. They simply cannot put up with it any longer :(

I can't stand to see them this stressed, we don't have much money to help but we do own our house and have just enough space for a temporary measure. What do you think?
Thanks in advance. Liz.

They both work, but one is self employed and doesn't get much work over winter.
«134

Comments

  • Alan2020
    Alan2020 Posts: 508 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Name Dropper
    As far as I know it would be illegal and most probably council will fine you, and worse you may get a criminal record. If this was allowed I highly doubt people will not be doing it.

    I know certain landlords do this, but council catches them with helicopter based IR cameras.

    I am sure you will be reported by your neighbours !!
  • paddy's_mum
    paddy's_mum Posts: 3,977 Forumite
    I've been Money Tipped!
    Look up the legalities of having a touring caravan on the drive to use as extra accommodation.

    As I understand it, that is lawful and prevents neighbours or the council from having any real say.

    Cheap and cheerful secondhand ones are fairly readily available on auction sites. Good luck.
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 10,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I recall seeing a programme of the like of Escape to the Country where a couple were looking for a new house having returned to the UK; their present home belonged to the lady's sister. The lady's sister (the homeowner) was sleeping in her garden shed....


    Is the garage in full view of the street? Is there a personal door rather than just the car door? How likely is anybody to notice what's going on?
    Make £2024 in 2024
    Prolific £907.37, Chase Interest £59.97, Chase roundup interest £3.55, Chase CB £122.88, Roadkill £1.30, Octopus referral reward £50, Octopoints £70.46, Topcashback £112.03, Shopmium referral £3, Iceland bonus £4, Ipsos survey £20, Misc Sales £55.44
    Total £1410/£2024  70%

    Make £2023 in 2023  Total: £2606.33/£2023  128.8%

  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 17,239 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Alan2020 wrote: »
    As far as I know it would be illegal and most probably council will fine you, and worse you may get a criminal record. If this was allowed I highly doubt people will not be doing it.

    https://www.thesun.co.uk/archives/news/841020/slumdogs-of-southall/
    https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1358574/Radio-DJ-renting-12-garages-BEDROOMS-insists-Im-dodgy-landlord.html


    Plenty of other stories about slum landlords and their garages & sheds from around the country.
    Her courage will change the world.

    Treasure the moments that you have. Savour them for as long as you can for they will never come back again.
  • kazwookie
    kazwookie Posts: 14,117 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Can they not sleep in your house, even if on the living room floor on a suitable mattress?
    Even if you have to move furniture etc around.
    Can your kids if you have any move out of their room and the in laws have that?
    Breast Cancer Now 100 miles October 2022 100 / 100miles
    D- Day 80km June 2024 80/80km (10.06.24 all done)
    Diabetic UK 1 million steps July 2024 to complete by end Sept 2024. 1,001,066/ 1,000,000 (20.09.24 all done)
    Sun, Sea
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 10,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Alan2020 wrote: »
    I know certain landlords do this, but council catches them with helicopter based IR cameras.



    There's a likelihood of this happening in London where beds in sheds is rife. The OP is in Cornwall.


    Any of my neighbours could have people living in their garages but since I can't see the personal doors at the back, I'd have no way of knowing.
    Make £2024 in 2024
    Prolific £907.37, Chase Interest £59.97, Chase roundup interest £3.55, Chase CB £122.88, Roadkill £1.30, Octopus referral reward £50, Octopoints £70.46, Topcashback £112.03, Shopmium referral £3, Iceland bonus £4, Ipsos survey £20, Misc Sales £55.44
    Total £1410/£2024  70%

    Make £2023 in 2023  Total: £2606.33/£2023  128.8%

  • Thank you for your responses :)

    Garage is street view but with private back access. I guess the difference would be I wouldn't be charging rent. They would probably do the odd food shop and help with cooking ect, but we wouldn't take a penny off them as that would defeat the purpose. I guess there is no harm in asking my local council. If it is illegal I wouldn't want to risk it anyway!
    Room sharing is an option but it would be cramped, and a real shame with a large empty room nearby!
    Thanks Again. Liz.
  • From a practical point of view - what if they need the loo in the middle of the night?
    No longer a spouse, or trailing, but MSE won't allow me to change my username...
  • sevenhills
    sevenhills Posts: 5,938 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    xx217xx wrote: »
    Simple: can my in-laws live in my external garage for 6months whilst they save for a new rental home?. They would use our bathroom/kitchen but sleep in the garage. Garage is insulated and has electric. The garage is 2metres from my front door.


    As others have said, living in a garage would be against the rules; but could they live in your house, whilst sleep in your garage on a night-time?
    Just a thought.
  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 10,683 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    The problem in asking your council is that they will say no and you've then alerted them to the situation.....


    If somebody finds out and complains, shift them into your house however crowded that makes it and they'll have to start looking for somewhere else to rent. Or put up a tent in the garden.
    Make £2024 in 2024
    Prolific £907.37, Chase Interest £59.97, Chase roundup interest £3.55, Chase CB £122.88, Roadkill £1.30, Octopus referral reward £50, Octopoints £70.46, Topcashback £112.03, Shopmium referral £3, Iceland bonus £4, Ipsos survey £20, Misc Sales £55.44
    Total £1410/£2024  70%

    Make £2023 in 2023  Total: £2606.33/£2023  128.8%

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
  • 348.2K Banking & Borrowing
  • 252.1K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 452.4K Spending & Discounts
  • 240.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 617.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 175.6K Life & Family
  • 254K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support 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.