Can a tenant let someone stay in rented property when they are away

Smodlet

markin wrote: »

Im guessing its tv and internet for the girl in the loft.

... To pass the time in between watering the plants..? Sorry, couldn't resist; I'm sure you're right, markin.

Cakeguts

It sounds like a complete disaster of a letting to me. I wonder if the OP carried out any tenant checks before they let the property?


I feel very sorry for the child who has to sleep in the loft which won't meet fire regulations.



Does anyone know what happens if there is a fire in the loft and a child who shouldn't be in there is killed?

Does the blame lie entirely with the tenant or can the landlord be held responsible because they should have prevented it when it came to light in an inspection or from tracing the wires outside?



I think the tenant needs a visit from the fire prevention people. I really don't know what you do as a landlord if you realise that a child's life is in danger from the actions of your tenant.

Slithery

Smodlet wrote: »

I do hope the wires (and the child's presence in the loft) do not indicate the presence of a cannabis farm.

Not in the slightest.A grow room would be powered from the internal mains supply and would be far too warm and bright to live in.

Wanderingpomm

Is there anyway that you can lock the loft?
I imagine it’s not got fit sleeping in? With just a loft ladder

I’ve rented houses where the loft was out of bounds due to owners stuff. It’s not unusual

Wanderingpomm

Cakeguts wrote: »

It sounds like a complete disaster of a letting to me. I wonder if the OP carried out any tenant checks before they let the property?

I think the tenant needs a visit from the fire prevention people. I really don't know what you do as a landlord if you realise that a child's life is in danger from the actions of your tenant.

Tenant checks on the whole just check if you can pay the rent and if s previous landlord would rent to you again. Often they just conduct an ID check.

All the OP can do is reiterate that the loft is out of bounds (in writing and verbally) and try to secure it

Cakeguts

I think in this case that there is an accident waiting to happen especially with what sounds like DIY wiring. I have no experience of this but I think I would arrange for a fire prevention person to visit the property. If that didn't stop it I think a visit from the council (if they can be bothered) and if that didn't stop it then it would have to be a section 21 for the safety of the person in the loft.



OP you are going to have to sell this house. It isn't a suitable rental. At the moment the tenants you are getting are the ones who break tenancy agreements and cause unsafe living conditions by their own actions. Don't wait until there is a fire do something now. Issue a section 21 (there is a fault) and take them to court to get possession and then sell the property. If you are only attracting bad tenants the house must be in an area that people try to avoid living in so none of your relatives will want to live there either. Invest the money into something else.



I suspect that someone sleeping in the loft would void the buildings insurance if there was a fire.

diggingdude

Do you have your own contents insurance for things in the loft?

AnotherJoe

aitchjg wrote: »

I now intend to give notice anyway so the problems will cease!

Oh I think you'll find they may just be beginning.

Smodlet

Slithery wrote: »

Not in the slightest.A grow room would be powered from the internal mains supply and would be far too warm and bright to live in.

I bow to your superior knowledge and experience of these matters, Slithery...

Comms69

Cakeguts wrote: »

I think in this case that there is an accident waiting to happen especially with what sounds like DIY wiring. I have no experience of this but I think I would arrange for a fire prevention person to visit the property. If that didn't stop it I think a visit from the council (if they can be bothered) and if that didn't stop it then it would have to be a section 21 for the safety of the person in the loft.



OP you are going to have to sell this house. It isn't a suitable rental. At the moment the tenants you are getting are the ones who break tenancy agreements and cause unsafe living conditions by their own actions. Don't wait until there is a fire do something now. Issue a section 21 (there is a fault) and take them to court to get possession and then sell the property. If you are only attracting bad tenants the house must be in an area that people try to avoid living in so none of your relatives will want to live there either. Invest the money into something else.



I suspect that someone sleeping in the loft would void the buildings insurance if there was a fire.

Why would someone sleeping somewhere void house insurance?