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AIBU?

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Original poster

DS plans to leave his central London flat totally empty for a year

234 replies

Tedsabear · 24/09/2025 16:25

Hi all, so my DS’s dad passed away a couple of years ago, between his pension, life insurance and home DS and as able to sell his home and buy a flat in central London. He spent over 1 million on this (his dad wasn’t super wealthy or anything he just owned a property in a nice area of London and it was paid off mortgage wise). His girlfriend is Portuguese and also owns property in Lisbon.
They are mid 20s.

They have decided to spend the next year as digital nomads as they are able to work remotely. I told DS he should rent out his flat and his girlfriend should do the same. One from a security perspective and two as extra income. He has said no he doesn’t like the idea of someone staying in his space, he’s said I can go and check on it once a month or “whatever” if I like. He said his girlfriend will be doing the same anyway.

AIBU to think he’s being ridiculous?

OP posts:
BunnyLake · 24/09/2025 17:54

DDivaStar · 24/09/2025 16:30

Err its not hers to rent, ridiculous suggestion and illegal ! what happens if he decides to return early or the tenants damage it, against regulations abd many other issues I'm sure.

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I don’t think they were being serious 😁

Sheiswaiting · 24/09/2025 17:53

Tedsabear · 24/09/2025 17:21

I’m not actually sure, he doesn’t talk to me about most of it, our relationship has been strained since his dad passed sway.

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it is possible then that he’s just saying this to you either to antagonise you or just to get you to back off

Original poster
Tedsabear · 24/09/2025 17:52

Yamamm · 24/09/2025 17:51

If they’re in Europe and well off surely they’ll be popping back for various events and staying there anyway. Concerts and friends etc.

They don’t plan to be in Europe, they have Georgia, Morocco/Tunisia, Colombia and Chile on their list.

OP posts:
Waterbaby41 · 24/09/2025 17:52

Tedsabear · 24/09/2025 17:20

He’s in a very nice part of central London, he prioritised location and accessibility to the places he often goes. I wasn’t involved in his decision making but I’d guess that’s why most 24 year olds shouldn’t just be given over 1 million unregulated.

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Why so judgemental? Your son has bought a flat and now will be leaving it empty until he returns. His property, his choice , his risk. Not sure why you are so concerned?

BlueMum16 · 24/09/2025 17:52

Tedsabear · 24/09/2025 17:21

I’m not actually sure, he doesn’t talk to me about most of it, our relationship has been strained since his dad passed sway.

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So he doesn't talk to you about it, you were not involved in any decisions, why do you think now you get a say?

Leave him too it.

Sounds like he's living his best life

LlynTegid · 24/09/2025 17:51

I think he needs to sort out insurance or have someone visit more often than once a month.

Other than that, assuming his work allows him to work outside the UK, then he would have my support. The renters rights changes being passed into law for very good reasons do make him renting out for a fixed period more difficult.

Yamamm · 24/09/2025 17:51

If they’re in Europe and well off surely they’ll be popping back for various events and staying there anyway. Concerts and friends etc.

Treacletoots · 24/09/2025 17:50

Given the soon to become laws meaning Section 21 evictions Will be banned, I think he's actually making the right call if he wants to be sure of actually getting his home back after the year.

If he rents he will have to provide gas and electric safety certificates, ensure the property meets all relevant guidelines, pay tax on the income, website it meets EPC guidelines for renting and arrange any repairs for the tenants on good time.

Oh and that's assuming the tenants don't trash the house and pay their rent, and leave when you ask them. Sure. It's a great idea.

Ponderingwindow · 24/09/2025 17:50

Renting is risky. Tenants can do all sorts of damage. They can refuse to leave.

In addition to hiring someone to check on the home occasionally, technology exists to monitor empty homes and will send alerts if anything happens. It is popular with people who own holiday homes or split times between 2 houses seasonally.

Pineapplewaves · 24/09/2025 17:48

FullOfLemons · 24/09/2025 16:41

Yes, you may get squatters, water leaks etc … but in all likelihood it will be fine.

I don’t understand the insurance comments

If it is a flat then I’d expect the buildings insurance will be arranged by the freeholder and not his concern

Why would he needs contents insurance if empty ?

My home contents policy says my home must not be left empty for more than three weeks and we have to notify them if it will be. I would assume the cost of the policy would go up as nobody would be at home to check for burglars, water leaks, appliances catching fire etc. During the winter there could be issues if the heating is permanently off etc.

nettie434 · 24/09/2025 17:47

By coincidence, I was checking my insurance today. It's not that leaving a property unoccupied that invalidates the insurance, it's not telling the insurer. Actually, my insurance policy says you have to notify them if it's unoccupied for more than 30 days so if he has a similar policy then he might not even need to notify them at all.

However, as the relationship is already strained, I would stay out of this altogether. As others have said, there's no guarantee he won't get nightmare tenants. He's entitled to make

TequilaNights · 24/09/2025 17:46

Can't say I blame him.

Lunde · 24/09/2025 17:46

Problem is that renting out is becoming much more difficult - it can easily take 6-12 months to evict a non paying tenant currently

Lanzarotelady · 24/09/2025 17:44

DDivaStar · 24/09/2025 16:30

Err its not hers to rent, ridiculous suggestion and illegal ! what happens if he decides to return early or the tenants damage it, against regulations abd many other issues I'm sure.

Show quote history

Bloody hell, don't you recognise a tongue in cheek comment??!!

oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends · 24/09/2025 17:43

Presumably he's an adult?

What's it got to do with Mummy ?

Dotty87 · 24/09/2025 17:41

Honestly I wouldn’t rent my main home if I were counting on moving back in after a year, especially as the Renters Rights Bill will likely be in place my then (no fixed terms, tenancies will go on until the courts end them or tenant gives notice). He can give notice he’s moving back in, but the courts are already backlogged, I wouldn’t fancy the risk.

MoFadaCromulent · 24/09/2025 17:38

I wouldn't want to become a landlord for the sake of a year if I was mortgage free and considered the property my home.

tripleginandtonic · 24/09/2025 17:37

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 24/09/2025 16:27

While they're away you can rent it out without telling him. You'd make thousands of pounds and he sounds a bit clueless so probably won't cotton on. Everyone's a winner.

Ita not her house. Ridiculous amd illegal suggestion.

anyolddinosaur · 24/09/2025 17:35

It's a lot of hassle and he'd risk the place being trashed. He does need to consider how to insure possessions he is leaving there. Offering to check it regularly might help to rebuild your relationship.

Pezdeoro41 · 24/09/2025 17:34

Octavia64 · 24/09/2025 16:27

It can be a nightmare evicting people if they don’t want to leave and tenants can cause a lot of damage as well. I’m team DS.

This. Very difficult to rent out a place for just a year these days, and fraught with risks, as well as tax implications. If he doesn't need the money (lucky guy) I wouldn't either.

HawaiiWake · 24/09/2025 17:34

Insurance content and household will state you can’t leave it for 30 days empty, so maybe stay there yourself for 1 week per month to enjoy it.

deirdrerasheed · 24/09/2025 17:32

With respect you need to back off. If the relationship is strained please stop with the advise.

TotalDramarama24 · 24/09/2025 17:31

You could offer to Airbnb the property for him and keep the proceeds! At least they have to leave a hefty deposit and pay for cleaning and it’s only a few nights per person.

Neemie · 24/09/2025 17:31

We rented out our flat in London when we were working abroad. It was a massive headache. First renters were fine, 2nd renters partitioned it up stuck in nasty furniture and sublet it. It was a big clear up job once we eventually got them out. We decided to leave it empty after that.

Wkanznjs · 24/09/2025 17:30

didntlikeanyofthesuggestions · 24/09/2025 16:27

While they're away you can rent it out without telling him. You'd make thousands of pounds and he sounds a bit clueless so probably won't cotton on. Everyone's a winner.

Are you the Mexican house thief?

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