OK for owner-occupier with a lodger to go abroad for 3 months?

FreeBear

From what I recall of reading the various bits of legislation, rules, and guidance. six months away is the limit before the lodger can claim to be a tenant. So your three month gallivant should be fine.

I'd suggest having a family member drop in from time to time (maybe for an overnight stay).

jackieblack

NervyBuyer said:

Is 3 months really enough time for all that to happen?

3 months seems like plenty of time…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00jcrqx

Jonboy_1984

You can sign up to get an email notification if any charges or changes are raised at land registry https://propertyalert.landregistry.gov.uk/

NervyBuyer

I did that some time ago I've had tenants and lodgers for over 20 years, just never been absent.

steve866

FreeBear said:

From what I recall of reading the various bits of legislation, rules, and guidance. six months away is the limit before the lodger can claim to be a tenant. So your three month gallivant should be fine.

I'd suggest having a family member drop in from time to time (maybe for an overnight stay).

I don’t suppose you can recall where you read this? I am considering taking a lodger but may be abroad for more than 6 months of the year, however it will never be more than 2 months consecutively. Thanks 

diystarter7

Jonboy_1984 said:

You can sign up to get an email notification if any charges or changes are raised at land registry https://propertyalert.landregistry.gov.uk/

Exactly what I was going to post as I read through the posts

Also, seek advice from your insurance as it could be invalidated.

If you trust someone on the street ideally next door/etc tell them to keep an eye on things.

Get family/etc to check

Get a ring security doorbell and see who/what is coming in and going out

Enjoy

diystarter7

NB - a written contract may be helpful but I will leave it to others here that may be more capable to agree with me or not on this.

hazyjo

MalMonroe said:

I'd also have ALL my post delivered to a post box at the post office - which is what I do anyway if I go away for longer than a month. Yes, you have to pay but it's cheaper than having to replace anything that may come by post and then go missing.

Not something I would advise. If you start redirecting your post, you risk it looking more like you're not living there at all.

The vast majority of things are now online anyway.

jj_43

You going to continue to pay 1/2 your share of the bills while away?

zagubov

Jonboy_1984 said:

You can sign up to get an email notification if any charges or changes are raised at land registry https://propertyalert.landregistry.gov.uk/

If your property is outside England you may need to find out whatever's the equivalent service for e.g. Scotland/N.I