Lodger having a visitor on a visa.

Gerontion

Hi,

First time posting just need advice.

My lodger who I've lived with for over a year asked to have a family member from abroad come over to stay.

I, unthinkingly, said "Yes fine, if they stay in your room and you are responsible for them". I've lived with this guy for over a year - there is friction as there always is but he's not too bad.

Now the time is nearer my lodger started to talk about finding his relative a job and his own place...

I set down in stone that he can't stay longer than a week and it absolutely cannot be an open ended arrangement.

I know my lodger has the right to stay in the UK because I work at the same company as him (presuming our HR did their job of which I am confident). However the lodger's family member is not an EU citizen and I am suddenly very aware that as they are not close family members (only cousins) it would be illegal for the lodger's guest to find work unless he already has a job offer before coming to the UK (though I don't fully understand the visa system, anyone who's an expert please advise), and more than that I may be liable as he would be "living" (however temporarily) under my roof. (Though I am not planning to profit in any way from my lodger's guest.)

How to handle this situation? How far am I responsible for ensuring I am not assisting in illegal immigration? Should I demand to see the visa and ensure my lodger's guest abides by it? Let it slide and just make sure he's out of my house after a week? I don't think i'd be guilty of a criminal offense under the right to rent thing as I'm not profiting but the fact I'm even thinking about that is a ridiculous situation to be in. Tempted to go back and what I said and say he isn't allowed the visitor but that feels heavy handed as otherwise he's a good lodger and they are family...

sevenhills

Gerontion wrote: »

How to handle this situation? How far am I responsible for ensuring I am not assisting in illegal immigration? Should I demand to see the visa and ensure my lodger's guest abides by it?

My lodger is Indian, I took a photo of his documents. Not sure if you are responsible for checking their immigration status, but it would be good to check; maybe you could ask your HR department what to look for.
I would certainly charge more for letting out the room with two lodgers, if its more than just a week.

FreeBear

Gerontion wrote: »

I know my lodger has the right to stay in the UK because I work at the same company as him (presuming our HR did their job of which I am confident).

You are still required to conduct the right to remain checks and need to keep a record showing that you have done so. As for the "guest", you shouldn't need to check his passport/visa, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Setting a limit on the length of stay is wise - Just make sure he is gone once the week is up.

sevenhills

FreeBear wrote: »

You are still required to conduct the right to remain checks and need to keep a record showing that you have done so. As for the "guest", you shouldn't need to check his passport/visa, but it doesn't hurt to ask. Setting a limit on the length of stay is wise - Just make sure he is gone once the week is up.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/right_to_rent_immigration_checks


You have the right to rent if any of the following apply:

• you're a British or EEA citizen
• you have indefinite leave to remain or settled status
• you have refugee status or humanitarian protection
• you have permission to be in the UK, for example, on a work or student visa
• the Home Office has granted you a time limited right to rent

Gerontion

I'm 99.999% sure my lodger an EU citizen, so nothing is gonna come of me not doing the right to rent checks at the right time anyway - thanks for the advice though, I'll get his documents on file and be sure to conduct the checks on all future lodgers regardless.

Wanderingpomm

The visitors visa status is nothing to do with you. He’s a guest if your lodger, let hims stay for a week, be a decent friend and leave him to it

[Deleted User]

Wanderingpomm wrote: »

The visitors visa status is nothing to do with you. He’s a guest if your lodger, let hims stay for a week, be a decent friend and leave him to it

Of course it has something to do with them. The lodgers status is their responsibility to check. So is anyone else who stays there.

PasturesNew

You're on the ball, well done... you could've found yourself in a sticky situation when a seemingly simple "he's popping over for a holiday" did breach rules and ended up as "an illegal alien camped in my spare room and now seeking asylum while doing cash in hand work at the car wash".

MoneySeeker1

The thing I'm wondering is who OP's employer is.

They might be the type of employer that also "regulates employees conduct" outside work hours and would take an interest if this lodgers friend isn't officially entitled to be here (ie only here on holiday or with official permission to be here) and I'm wondering if this might create a risk for OP if this friend lands up "outstaying their welcome" (ie staying longer than a week, because the visit just "creeps" on a day and then "creeps" on another day and so on).

Comms69

Gerontion wrote: »

I'm 99.999% sure my lodger an EU citizen, so nothing is gonna come of me not doing the right to rent checks at the right time anyway - thanks for the advice though, I'll get his documents on file and be sure to conduct the checks on all future lodgers regardless.

The offence is failing to check.


So don't be too sure

MobileSaver

MoneySeeker1 wrote: »

The thing I'm wondering is who OP's employer is. They might be the type of employer that also "regulates employees conduct" outside work hours

How many employers have the time or inclination to check on their employee's friend's immigration status?!?!