AIBU to not rent a house to our relative?

@NewNameForThisWWYD
For a multitude of reasons you are doing the right thing.

I can confidently say in almost any universe any fallout now will be less harmful / negatively impacting than the long term implications of agreeing would have been

It really doesn't work to mix family/ friendships/ (even acquaintances) with business, or anything financial so on those grounds, I think you are right. Stay firm and maybe use that as an additional point , though your mind seems pretty clearly made up already.

I would absolutely say no!! The fact you don’t even like her and she causes so many issues is enough. Let alone the fact she’s cheeky enough to ask to rent it for free. Take no notice of other family members putting pressure on you, it isn’t their issue.

Me and my DH are also landlords and in the nicest way possible, I don’t think I’d ever rent to family members!

Ah, so I have. Should have been @NewNameForThisWWYD

You’ve tagged me by accident here.

@Rizzz I have read your latest update saying you have decided not to rent. I think that is a fantastic decision.
If you do change your mind on that, I would suggest you say that she will need to pay market rent and to sign the usual formal tenancy agreement - maybe send her a copy in advance. This would cover what will happen if she defaults on rent etc.
The one concession you might make is that you will not charge her the normal security deposit. This should save her several hundred quid. You have said you have confidence she won't trash the place. You could also say that should she want to become your tenant you will not tolerate her criticism of your rental business.

Housing legislation is a devolved matter so arrangements may vary between the constituent parts of the UK. The new Renters' Rights Act abolishes section 21 evictions in England.

No way!

No. No. No. No. No. No. Never! She sounds a nightmare and will become and even bigger nightmare and you’ll never be rid of her. Go with your gut. Find an excuse.

I've a friend with a couple of rental properties. She has a hard and fast rule that she doesn't rent to friends or family as it avoids future potential issues. As you don't have a good relationship with this person anyway, don't even entertain becoming her landlord.

This is your living, you’re not a charity. She’s been awful to you, why on earth would you do her any favours? If she badmouths you, swiftly remind anyone who raises her shitty comments what she’s said about you.

Alternatively, tell her you’re turning it into an HMO/selling it (and she can buy it at mark value-watch her run) or you’re moving in yourself.

@NewNameForThisWWYD - this posters suggestion about what to say, when you tell her no is perfect. I'm glad you have decided to tell her no and this suggestion sounds ideal to me. Yes - you did something similar a few years ago, but laws are different now - and from 1st May will be even more difficult..

I've no doubt there will be push back - but stick to your guns and remember that trying to get her to move out again will give you even more grief. Stay strong

Given that she earns an above average wage, I can't begin to imagine why family members are expecting you to let her have the house for no rent. What on earth is going on there? Apart from anything else, you still have overheads and maintenance costs, you are not a charity FFS.

100%. This.

You say, you think she will pay the rent as she is straight with money. She's straight alright, straight for a discount and a 'jokey' attempt at getting it for free. She has shown you who she is - she despises landlords, and the only thing that has changed is her want of a freebie.

What's the worst that can happen if you say 'no' ? A few (more) barb comments, from her and other relatives. Nothing like the fallout out from having to evict her later on.

Why would she write it from the family members perspective???

She doesn't owe the woman a cheaper or free house especially as they don't have a great relationship so whatever her perspective is she can go rent from the open market and keep their relationship civil and business free.

As the saying goes don't mix business with friendships and family because it tends to end badly.

Unless you are up for drama after crisis after disaster then say no

Absolutely say no, once she’s in you’ll never get rid of her and she sounds like the sort of person who will complain about everything and expect you to sort it. If you’re not bothered about seeing her it should be easy to say no. We have had holiday lets in the past and always the same cheeky ones expecting a freebie so we made it clear from day one anyone can book it but it’s a business so they pay the going rate.

I have done a couple of kind deeds for family via a rental property we own. Never again. One distant cousin had it at massively discounted rate, but left it terrible and upset neighbours and the other, who I initially felt sorry for due to a personal crisis, and who we let live there rental free for months, also left it horrendous, despite initially saying they'd get a weekly cleaner etc. They didn't pay bills and never said thank you properly. They earn a very goid salary too. These people supposedly like us and didn't have a bone to pick with us having a rental, so I can only imagine what those with a chip on their shoulder might do to you your home! The distant cousin is being off with me since I haven't offered it again, despite heavy hints from them. Business and family rarely mix well.

Renting a 4 bedroom house to a 3 person family will just add to the housing crisis, tell her you'll only do it if she agrees to share with another family.

OP, it’s good your husband is prepared to carry the load of the decision but I think if it was me I’d hold the line that it was a joint decision, and if you want to give a reason, it was made because family and business shouldn’t mix. End of conversation…..no further discussion.

Nobody knows if she would be a perfect tenant or a nightmare but family and business of this sort is rarely a good mix and being pressurised by other family members would make me even more determined to stick my heels in.

Or she saves her money, ignores the bleating, and just lets them get on with making a fuss amongst themselves. Let them think what they like.

OP doesn’t need to prove herself to them in any way. Their biological family member has no qualms about saying no, so not sure why OP thinks she needs to either.

Do you want to give your house away?
Because thats what you'd be doing.

She won't pay anything and she'll never move out.

If you let her move in due to pressure from others, imagine what they'd say if you tried to evict her?

I would if I could trust her to pay rent, look after the property and do it all properly with a contract, deposit up front. No discount, at least not any major discount. Ultimately it would come down to trust.

Just say no . She sounds like trouble

Best not to rent to family anyway I would say. Makes boundaries blurred and will be very difficult if there are issues with rent etc. With the changes coming in, it would also be very difficult to get her out…..