Can I keep a housing association flat while studying abroad?

chillymoose

I'm on a low band on my council housing register so I have never yet been successful when bidding for a flat (in over 5 years). Amazingly, I am currently in first position for a flat I bid on. Great. But I'm supposed to be spending the next academic year abroad, studying at a foreign university (I'm doing a languages degree as a mature student).

If I do get this flat, does anyone know if the council/housing association is likely to agree to me sub-letting it or having a family member stay there for the time that I am abroad? Are there any procedures in place for council house/housing association tenants who have to move temporarily for work/study?

Personally, I don't see anything morally wrong with asking a family member to live there for the 8 months I'll be away... but legally, is this even remotely possible?

cymruchris

I'll let the experts answer definitively - but from my understanding you won't be able to sub-let without the housing associations permission - and I believe mostly they say no. If the flat is immensely important - could you consider completing your qualification locally instead?

[Deleted User]

chillymoose said:

I'm on a low band on my council housing register so I have never yet been successful when bidding for a flat (in over 5 years). Amazingly, I am currently in first position for a flat I bid on. Great. But I'm supposed to be spending the next academic year abroad, studying at a foreign university (I'm doing a languages degree as a mature student).

If I do get this flat, does anyone know if the council/housing association is likely to agree to me sub-letting it or having a family member stay there for the time that I am abroad? Are there any procedures in place for council house/housing association tenants who have to move temporarily for work/study?

Personally, I don't see anything morally wrong with asking a family member to live there for the 8 months I'll be away... but legally, is this even remotely possible?

Unlawfully subletting a housing association property can be a criminal offence. 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/subletting-and-lodging/subletting/unlawful-subletting-of-social-housing-criminal-offences/

Who will pay the rent whilst this family lives up in the property? 

chillymoose

Lover_of_Lycra said:

chillymoose said:

I'm on a low band on my council housing register so I have never yet been successful when bidding for a flat (in over 5 years). Amazingly, I am currently in first position for a flat I bid on. Great. But I'm supposed to be spending the next academic year abroad, studying at a foreign university (I'm doing a languages degree as a mature student).

If I do get this flat, does anyone know if the council/housing association is likely to agree to me sub-letting it or having a family member stay there for the time that I am abroad? Are there any procedures in place for council house/housing association tenants who have to move temporarily for work/study?

Personally, I don't see anything morally wrong with asking a family member to live there for the 8 months I'll be away... but legally, is this even remotely possible?

Unlawfully subletting a housing association property can be a criminal offence. 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/subletting-and-lodging/subletting/unlawful-subletting-of-social-housing-criminal-offences/

Who will pay the rent whilst this family lives up in the property? 

Cheers for stating the obvious.

chillymoose

cymruchris said:

I'll let the experts answer definitively - but from my understanding you won't be able to sub-let without the housing associations permission - and I believe mostly they say no. If the flat is immensely important - could you consider completing your qualification locally instead?

Unfortunately going abroad is a requirement of the degree, no way out of it. Yes, I will need their permission - I guess I'm just asking, are they likely to give it?

[Deleted User]

chillymoose said:

Lover_of_Lycra said:

chillymoose said:

I'm on a low band on my council housing register so I have never yet been successful when bidding for a flat (in over 5 years). Amazingly, I am currently in first position for a flat I bid on. Great. But I'm supposed to be spending the next academic year abroad, studying at a foreign university (I'm doing a languages degree as a mature student).

If I do get this flat, does anyone know if the council/housing association is likely to agree to me sub-letting it or having a family member stay there for the time that I am abroad? Are there any procedures in place for council house/housing association tenants who have to move temporarily for work/study?

Personally, I don't see anything morally wrong with asking a family member to live there for the 8 months I'll be away... but legally, is this even remotely possible?

Unlawfully subletting a housing association property can be a criminal offence. 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/subletting-and-lodging/subletting/unlawful-subletting-of-social-housing-criminal-offences/

Who will pay the rent whilst this family lives up in the property? 

Cheers for stating the obvious.

It wasn’t obvious that you’d attempted to find out the answer for yourself at all. 

cymruchris

chillymoose said:

are they likely to give it?

No.......

chillymoose

Lover_of_Lycra said:

chillymoose said:

Lover_of_Lycra said:

chillymoose said:

I'm on a low band on my council housing register so I have never yet been successful when bidding for a flat (in over 5 years). Amazingly, I am currently in first position for a flat I bid on. Great. But I'm supposed to be spending the next academic year abroad, studying at a foreign university (I'm doing a languages degree as a mature student).

If I do get this flat, does anyone know if the council/housing association is likely to agree to me sub-letting it or having a family member stay there for the time that I am abroad? Are there any procedures in place for council house/housing association tenants who have to move temporarily for work/study?

Personally, I don't see anything morally wrong with asking a family member to live there for the 8 months I'll be away... but legally, is this even remotely possible?

Unlawfully subletting a housing association property can be a criminal offence. 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/subletting-and-lodging/subletting/unlawful-subletting-of-social-housing-criminal-offences/

Who will pay the rent whilst this family lives up in the property? 

Cheers for stating the obvious.

It wasn’t obvious that you’d attempted to find out the answer for yourself at all. 

You answered a question I didn't ask. I'm really not sure what your point is.

Mildreds_Earrings

chillymoose said:

cymruchris said:

I'll let the experts answer definitively - but from my understanding you won't be able to sub-let without the housing associations permission - and I believe mostly they say no. If the flat is immensely important - could you consider completing your qualification locally instead?

Unfortunately going abroad is a requirement of the degree, no way out of it. Yes, I will need their permission - I guess I'm just asking, are they likely to give it?

Possibly but if you were our HA tenant, you would have to be a tenant for more than 12 months before we would even consider it. To be fair, it is a good reason but we would require evidence and you would have to prove how the rent would be paid whilst you were away. We do the same for tenants who go to serve in the Military. Before anyone jumps down my throat, yes I know these are different circumstances. My point is there is a possibility but its up to the HA. Read the Tenancy Agreement and see if there are any mission statements on the HA website that can assist you with your request. 

diggingdude

The best people to ask this would be your housing association.  Why not ask them?  You could do it anonymously if worried.  Everyone on line will have their own views, most you probably wont like so why not go straight to source?

NameUnavailable

chillymoose said:

Lover_of_Lycra said:

chillymoose said:

I'm on a low band on my council housing register so I have never yet been successful when bidding for a flat (in over 5 years). Amazingly, I am currently in first position for a flat I bid on. Great. But I'm supposed to be spending the next academic year abroad, studying at a foreign university (I'm doing a languages degree as a mature student).

If I do get this flat, does anyone know if the council/housing association is likely to agree to me sub-letting it or having a family member stay there for the time that I am abroad? Are there any procedures in place for council house/housing association tenants who have to move temporarily for work/study?

Personally, I don't see anything morally wrong with asking a family member to live there for the 8 months I'll be away... but legally, is this even remotely possible?

Unlawfully subletting a housing association property can be a criminal offence. 

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/housing/renting-a-home/subletting-and-lodging/subletting/unlawful-subletting-of-social-housing-criminal-offences/

Who will pay the rent whilst this family lives up in the property? 

Cheers for stating the obvious.

What was obvious?

Never a good tactic for seeking help to get sarcastic when people try to help you.