AIBU to refuse a tenant's vulnerable guest staying in my HMO?

He wouldnt want that because nobody would cook him dinner.

Do you understand that I've done this before?

She is to the home owner.

Have you handed your home over to your son's mate? Bit mean if you haven't.

No recourse means they're only entitled to support from teams specific to those with no recourse. That's not the council housing team, and it's extremely rare to be given any kind of accommodation because no recourse means public funds cannot be used to house them. It's usually only when there's a potential human rights breach/danger to life that it's done, or if something else is uncovered (for example, someone might have no recourse but if they're fleeing domestic abuse from their partner here in the UK they can be supported under special legislation so they're not forced back to live with their abuser)
Generally though, no recourse means what it says - you're allowed in the country on the basis that you're self funding, and if that changes you have to return home.

Yes. Hence why I've advised her what to do.

Are you actually reading the OPs posts?

She's had numerous complaints from the other tenants about this woman and even the tenant she was visiting said he was being bullied into having her stay there!

Probably 'First post written by idiot desperate to be first post'

Contact them yourself and explain the situation. Explain that you are illegally housing her but you understand that the council have told her not to leave. They will work with you and move her on themselves.

Op you don't need to feel guilty for following and complying with the law.

Landlords are no more responsible for homeless people than sailors are. We don't make up the rules, that's the government's responsibility as is homelessness.

If people feel so strongly about this issue they should email their MP and demand some social justice.

You would be breaking the law and susceptible to criminal charges if you house a person with no right to rent, which is the case here.

It's not illegal for people with NRPF to be housed, but there's whole categories of them that the council don't have any duty towards. What this means is that nobody can assume they would be able to work with a council to get an NRPF person housed. The council might simply say not our problem, off you go.

Hopefully you never become a landlord then. Letting her stay off books is illegal. Insurance would be void, if anything happened to her in the property it could have serious implications for OP. The other tenants should not have to put up with it. Its all very well caring about humans but it is clear in this case that the lady in question has issues, whether these be with mental health, addiction etc. She needs proper help and support through the correct agencies. Having a vulnerable woman staying illegally with no help or support is not exactly going to change her life for the better.

As I've said, my house is full because I already help people in need. But I can advise the OP how to help based on my experience of helping others in similar situations to this woman.

In the past, Shelter have given me information for local charities that support people with no recourse to public funds. They paid for some form of accommodation. Adult social services also helped with another person in that situation who had mental health issues and/or learning difficulties. I believe that person is now in an adult group home.

I am surprised the police didn’t check on the vulnerability of your tenant and whether this unwanted guest is trying to cuckoo his home. Maybe that could be suggested to them if you have to talk to them again; you could ask them for advice around this topic, which they should know about.

This. Landlords are getting a rough ride since renters reform and it’s causing issues. Serve notice to evict for breach of tenancy covenants and take it from there.

She has no recourse to public funds, if the council housed her they'd be breaking the law!

OP has said she doesn't have the immigration status needed in order to qualify for assistance from the council, and may not even have the legal right to reside in the UK.

Yes. I'd work with the council to legally house the woman where she is best off. They are unlikely to fine you if you are doing that. What would they say in court when you show all the documentation of your conversations with the housing officers assigned to her case etc? That's why I'd contact the council ASAP and work with them.

She can't get legally housed from what the OP said - no recourse to public funds due to no visa means no charity, hostel, or council can help her. She's reliant on her own funds (seems she has none) or family to stay here. Hence pressuring the OPs tenant.
It's a horrible situation but ultimately if you're in a foreign country and have no way of making it work, and no legal right to stay (eg you're not claiming asylum because your home country is dangerous) you have to move home and make a plan B.

A quick Google before you jumped in with your opinion would have told you that a change of one person can indeed trigger a change a status. OP does not sound over involved, she sounds like she is a decent landlord who is making sure she follows the correct law.

From recent experience, one council dept doesn't know what the others are doing so yes, selective licensing would be down on you like a ton of bricks whilst adult SC encourages friends to 'help out' a vulnerable woman.

@VointofPiewwhat about when you get fined for breaching fire safety regulations?