Permitted Occupier or New Tenancy Agreement?

JessicaMal92

Hello,

I'm currently the sole tenant on a flat and I've emailed my letting agents to see what the process would be if my boyfriend was to move in.

They've given me three options:

1. Say he lives there casually and do nothing (!!!!!!?)
2. List him as a permitted occupier
3. Add him to the tenancy, do new references for both of us, and start a new fixed term tenancy agreement for a fee.

My thought before emailing was that we would only have option three, but I'm now considering looking into option 2 to save money, avoid references (my boyfriend has an IVA), and to avoid being stuck to a fixed term tenancy due to wanting to move next year.

So my question is, what exactly is a 'permitted occupier'? I get he will essentially be a lodger and not responsible for the rent, but does this also mean I can't get him added to council tax and other bills? If he can't get added to council tax, does that mean I keep my single occupier discount?

Also will he be able to register with banks, phone companies, etc to say he lives there?

Any help is much appreciated!

Chrysalis

That was very generous to give you all 3 options, I wouldnt have even told them.

permitted occupier is basically they let him stay there, he can register for banking etc. there no problem, but you keep full responsibility for the tenancy agreement.

M_Python

JessicaMal92 wrote: »

Hello,

I'm currently the sole tenant on a flat and I've emailed my letting agents to see what the process would be if my boyfriend was to move in.

They've given me three options:

1. Say he lives there casually and do nothing (!!!!!!?)
2. List him as a permitted occupier
3. Add him to the tenancy, do new references for both of us, and start a new fixed term tenancy agreement for a fee.

My thought before emailing was that we would only have option three, but I'm now considering looking into option 2 to save money, avoid references (my boyfriend has an IVA), and to avoid being stuck to a fixed term tenancy due to wanting to move next year.

So my question is, what exactly is a 'permitted occupier'? I get he will essentially be a lodger and not responsible for the rent, but does this also mean I can't get him added to council tax and other bills? If he can't get added to council tax, does that mean I keep my single occupier discount?

Also will he be able to register with banks, phone companies, etc to say he lives there?

Any help is much appreciated!

No it doesn't mean that. You will still have to inform the Council Tax department that another adult is living in the property with you and you will lose your single occupier discount.

G_M

As permitted occupier he'll have few rights eg if you get evicted so will he.
So far as rent is concerned, you remain soley responsible (and for damage etc), so if there are arrears the LL can only chase you, not him.
As two adults will be living there,you cannot claim singe person discount for Council Tax.
He could apply to have utilities in his name- the utility companies won't really care what his status is. It's enough that he lives there.
If he pays you rent (you'll be his landlord), it willprobably fall within the limit for Rent a Room Scheme , but you should check! If it exceeds this you'll have to declare it to HMRC.

zagubov

G_M wrote: »

As permitted occupier he'll have few rights eg if you get evicted so will he.
So far as rent is concerned, you remain soley responsible (and for damage etc), so if there are arrears the LL can only chase you, not him.
As two adults will be living there,you cannot claim singe person discount for Council Tax.
He could apply to have utilities in his name- the utility companies won't really care what his status is. It's enough that he lives there.
If he pays you rent (you'll be his landlord), it willprobably fall within the limit for Rent a Room Scheme , but you should check! If it exceeds this you'll have to declare it to HMRC.

Can a partner even be a lodger?

I thought a lodger had to be someone not in a relationship with you; in which case wouldn't the partner's contribution be a share of living expenses and their right to stay even more tenuous?

G_M

zagubov wrote: »

Can a partner even be a lodger?

I thought a lodger had to be someone not in a relationship with you; in which case wouldn't the partner's contribution be a share of living expenses and their right to stay even more tenuous?

You're right of course. Thanks!