If you were a landlord how would you feel about somebody having 3 kids in your 1 bed flat?

[LLdn45]

Ideally would you prefer they left and made way for a more suitable tenant?

We had to live in our flat (we had 3 dc in a 2 bed flat) for several more years. It was a tiny 2 bed, so it was cramped and neighbours complained about the noise of dc running around, but council were not interested. In our case we could afford a bigger place but extreme demand for private rentals meant that we were never chosen. Every property we went to there were at least 10 other applications and the landlord chose whoever they wanted. We were only able to move in the end as we saved up and offered 6 months upfront in a property that no one else wanted.

I have had a similar situation with a tenant. They are overcrowded and the council are responsible for 're homing them. It is not appropriate for them to be in that situation. Th UK rules are 1 room for adult (s) and no more than 2 kids per bedroom. It may depend on the bedroom size. I'm sure 4 people in 1 BR is too much.

It’s not fair on the children though. They are being set up for poor MH from the start. Renting a one bed when pregnant ok but then two more children?

I would be concerned in those circumstances that it could become 4 or 5 kids

wheres the gas boiler/fire? they should not be sleeping anywhere near it....there used to be legislation on this. i think it was 2 doors/rooms away was acceptable,same or adjoining room wasn't

CO poisoning etc. even with alarms its dangerous

council will likely house them but will be a series of b&b's and hostels.

theres no housing in London it seems

Please check your insurance, OP. Ours doesn’t allow for overcrowding. I am inclined to agree with pp saying they advise starting eviction procedures for the benefit of the tenant and her dc.

I wouldn't accept with 3 kids for a new tenancy, but if there and a good tenant I guess I'd suck up the extra wear and tear.

There is no gas in the flat, it's all run on electricity including the radiators.

The water tank and electricity meters are contained individually in separate storage cupboards. CO alarms also installed.

I'm reasonably satisfied that 3 children won't become 4 or 5, mum was concerned about the impact having #3 would have on their ability to keep the flat as it were, but then I do tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. DH is more cynical by nature.

I find it hard to believe that anybody would actively plan to have a third when the living situation was already so dire so there must be a different explanation for it as she's well aware that the council wouldn't be stepping in to help.

But why have a second in that situation let alone a third?

@Getyetaefuck

But why have a second in that situation let alone a third?

God only knows

They seem happy with the situation

They may be but it can’t not damage the children in some way. Homework when they get older - how can they concentrate as well as if they had more space? The conflict that comes from being on top of each other? The poor MH of being trapped in an unsuitable situation that you have no control over. The parents may be happy now but what about when they are large teenagers?

Sadly this type of set up doesn't seem to be an unusual occurrence in London, I've done a fair bit of reading up on the topic this evening and it's eye opening just how many people live like it.

There are many families stuck in sub par conditions be it due to a lack of space or poor quality housing, even in council housing itself.

The housing crisis in the city is just so dire people are left with few options and scope to improve their circumstances short of relocating completely which isn't a cheap feat in itself and a lone parent working part time and reliant on benefits would be hard pressed to fund such a move, even if they were prepared to sacrifice any ties they have in the area.

I don't know what the answer is unfortunately but I agree with previous posters who highlight the potential for adverse mental health problems in the children cramped into such properties.

As a landlord I would do all I could to help the tenant obtain more suitable accommodation if that is what they wanted.
They appear to be good tenants and if they wish / feel they have no alternative to remain, I would be happy to let them.
I wouldn’t worry too much about additional wear and tear as would expect to undertake some sort of refurbishment after a tenancy lasting several years.
I would be a bit concerned about damp/ condensation and would keep a eye on this as it can cause nasty health problems. A humidistat extractor fan in the kitchen and bathroom might become necessary.
I wouldn’t be providing any different furniture to what would normally be expected in a one bedroom flat.
My insurance policy mentions the property being unoccupied several times, but is silent regarding overcrowding.

@Getyetaefuck

But why have a second in that situation let alone a third?

I’m likely being overdramatic, but if her partner is shitty ( and it sounds like he is) coercion might has played a role in the third pregnancy. ☹️ But the OP can’t help with that unless she sees signs of abuse or the tenant tells her about it.

Reminds me of an article in our local paper about someone who moved into the top floor of a block of flats and subsequently had 3 kids with different partners (no issue with that) but went to the paper to complain that it was hard for her to get up and down the stairs with so many kids/prams etc

Is she clear about how she will manage for money when the baby is here? Don't think she will get any more benefits to cover the new baby as they cap it at 2 children now.

Ultimately does she want/need to stay in London? If so there are really no good options- the only way to get social housing would be to get evicted, live in temporary housing out of borough for a few years and then get a tenancy. Unsettling for the children's schooling etc

don't know what the answer is unfortunately

Social housing.

London is the capital of homelessness but the problem is spreading across the country. The UK is in a public health housing and homelessness emergency.

We need to build and buy lots more social housing.

It's cheaper (long term) as well as the right and moral thing to do. Temporary accommodation costs the taxpayer billions. There's also the money spent on the knock on impact of homelessness and poor/insecure housing. Including, as is mentioned by pp, the mental health impact on children (adults too).

Landlords are there to make money on their investments, not provide housing advice though. If there are so many children in a flat it will be noisy if there are other people in the building, which could affect good tenants

OP you sound very lovely

If they pay the rent and aren’t wrecking the place I don’t see the issue. Be kind

at be kind. Be kind to the children forced by their parents to live in overcrowded situations, with hardly any personal space or calmness of mind. Their lives are being made so much harder. Be kind to them

@LukeEvansWife

Landlords are there to make money on their investments, not provide housing advice though. If there are so many children in a flat it will be noisy if there are other people in the building, which could affect good tenants

Some people, like OP, have empathy.

Empathy is fine. Being a mug is not