Moving in with a stranger

saajan_12

zippygeorgeandben said:

He is going to put me on the tenancy to protect me but I guess that means I'm liable if he decides to move out in the future when tenancy ends.  However, he only just moved into the flat last year.

That changes things quite a bit.. 
On the tenancy-> you're a tenant, legally liable for the full rent + property damages if housemate doesn't pay. You have the protections, ie can only be evicted 6months notice unless you breach the terms, plus court order. If you don't get on with the housemate or want to leave for any other reason, you'd have to either serve notice and you both leave or find a replacement tenant and negotiate with the LL to agree to this. Note there'd be high penalties if you serve notice and don't both leave, so better make sure they are on board for the former, and the LL doesn't HAVE to agree to the latter).  

Not on tenancy -> you're a lodger, so only liable for your agreed rent and damages you do. You have less protection ie can be evicted by housemate with 'reasonable' notice (probably 1 week - 1 month depending on what you agree). You have more flexibility and can leave with 'reasonable' notice, without having to find a replacement or negotiate with a 3rd party (property owner). 

The house rules and "co-habiting with someone" points become much more relevant if you're on the tenancy, because you're locked in for longer and can't just leave as easily if things get uncomfortable.  

macman

Good advice above. Being a lodger gives you next to no security-you can be asked to leave with just reasonable notice, maybe a week at most. But it also means you have minimal responsibilities.

Being a tenant gives you considerable rights, but with that come a whole bundle of responsibilities that lodgers don't have.

So, first, you need to clarify exactly what you are being offered.

zippygeorgeandben

THank you and I'll make sure I keep you all in the loop, it's the right thing to do.

Thanks.

Hannimal

This thread is a mess. It seems like you are looking at a shared tenancy. 

Grumpy_chap

Are you going to be a lodger?  No protection / rights, but you can just go at no notice as well.
Or are you going to be co-habiting, joint tenants?  Quite a lot of protection / rights, but also the responsibility and liability for the actions of the other tenant.  More like a partnership / relationship towards LTAMC.