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

Your ds could pay a professional property management company to check on it.

Alternatively he could rent it out to trusted friends, maybe for weekends?

For just a year I think renting is quite risky, unless he rents to someone he knows and trust.

From your OP I get that he doesn't have a mortgage on the property (although it's not super clear), so whilst it would be extra income if he doesn't need it I would bother renting.

It’s likely that someone will need to stay in it at least once in every so many weeks for insurance purposes. However, unless I desperately needed the money I wouldn’t rent somewhere for a year. Way too much hassle and additional cost involved.

Hopefully the girlfriends a mumsnetter so we get a 'Mil has rented out dp's flat while we're abroad' thread.

It's totally up to your son.

However, from the other perspective, my son is a lodger (as opposed to a tenant) in a 2 bed flat belonging to the son of a friend-of-a- friend of mine. Their son is currently in the military and deployed abroad, comes home 2 or 3 times a year. All his personal stuff is in his (locked) bedroom.

My DS. Is paying under the market rent, owner has someone living in the property and ensuring any issues (water leaks etc!) are reported. The flat is mortgaged so the rental income covers most of that I imagine. So it's a win-win. It does have risks on both sides - DS has very few rights as he's a lodger not a tenant, owner has to trust that DS isn't trashing the place. But 2 years down the line it is working well for both of them.

ETA there's no management company involved. If there's an issue, my DS lets the owner know and he gets his parents to sort it out (they live locally).

It won't be insured unless he's agreed this with his insurance company

With all the changes to renting I would not do it, he may not get the flat back without difficulty. If it’s in a secure block I don’t see the issue as long as insurance know, and perhaps someone checks every so often.

perhaps he would be happy you using it for a weekend a month?

his choice

At that price point I’d assume the building where the flat is has a concierge at least for some of the time? If it does, they usually have keys to all flats in case of emergencies etc and can check in if another flat reports a problem(eg leak etc)

Renting your own home is a but of a hassle and not without potential big risks. He doesn't want the headache and I agree with him. He does need someone to check in regularly for any bug etc infestations, problems with heating or water or electricity, condensation, mould. Just someone to go there regularly, open the windows and make sure everything is still running properly.

Renting for just a year is likely to be more trouble than its worth.

Haven’t you seen those TV programmes about nightmare tenants OP? I wouldn’t risk it either if I was in the fortunate financial position that your DS and his partner are in.

Would he agree to signing up with a company that monitor temporarily vacant properties in the UK? It looks like he could create his own package with them but they check on empty properties to prevent damage and squatters

Can you move in and then rent your place out? 😁
I don’t blame him for not renting on open market, sounds like a minefield.
If I was him, I’d probably airbnb it, using an agent to run it. But doesn’t sound like he needs the money 😂

Best he doesnt have the hassle of people maybe trashing it or not leaving when he gets back.
Or if he comes back early.
Also doesnt sound like he needs the money.
He can set up cameras inside to keep an eye on it from his phone and such.

Loads of London flats are left empty (2nd home owners etc). Squatters less of a concern for flats.

Someone needs to pop in more often than once a month though...

Can you actually choose to rent out a property for a specified time in England? I ask because it’s not possible in Scotland. Holiday letting for at least a few weeks of the year would be an option if not though.

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 ?

I think, these days, being a landlord is often more trouble than it’s worth. I wouldn’t press him to rent it, but I would to make sure he has all the correct insurances in place, any valuables are securely locked away or in the bank and that the property has the maximum security on it, to avoid squatters.

He could pay for a company to go in and check things over regularly, or you might want to do that OP.

I wish I had this problem but the reality is that since he has a property he has an asset that will more than likely appreciate in value any way. I think he's being quite sensible. Large corporations leave huge office blocks empty for years with just a security guard meandering about because that's cheaper than having a tenant so he may as well do the same.

I wouldn’t bother renting it either if I didn’t need to.

Really unsure why you’re so bothered about it? In the politest possible way, he’s an adult and it’s none of your business what he does!!

I get it - he doesn't want the stress and worry of being a landlord, plus arranging the necessary safety checks and insurances, plus having to move out all of his stuff for a year and then do a tax return.

People have a really rose tinted view of renting out property as this super easy money making scheme where (assuming you're a decent person) it is in fact a massive PITA.

He will need to sort insurance though.

I assume the pp was joking

You can get insurance for your second home very easily though. Which is what it is if you are living elsewhere and own a property. 🤷‍♀️

As pp said he will need to get special empty property insurance.

Squatters are a real risk.

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.