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Original poster

Would you expect a discount on a rented room if away for 6 weeks?

28 replies

LumpyandBumps · 30/12/2025 20:47

Just as title really.
Room in HMO occupied for several years and tenant on extended holiday/ visit to family.
Rent includes bills.
Tenancy Agreement only mentions needing to let Landlord know if away for more than 14 days.
Would you ask for/ expect a reduction? If so how much would be reasonable?

OP posts:
UniquePinkSwan · 30/12/2025 20:48

No. That would ridiculous

Mummyneedsacoffee · 30/12/2025 20:48

Nope. Hard to rent for short periods of time !

Arlanymor · 30/12/2025 20:48

Why a reduction? The landlord can't rent it out in the meantime - why should they take a financial hit because the tenant has decided to be away for an extended period of time? That's crazy. Nothing would be reasonable. You don't ask your mortgage provider for a mortgage holiday because you're on holiday!

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OrigamiOwls · 30/12/2025 20:49

No I wouldn't expect a rent discount - it's not like the landlord is going to be able to rent it out to someone else for that time period.

ReturnToRiding · 30/12/2025 20:49

No. Because you’re taking a place where the landlord could be making the full amount.

Lifeisapeach · 30/12/2025 20:50

No… why should the landlord receive less for their investment if you’re away? If you’re bills are based on consumption then maybe you’ll receive less for bills… but for straight rent no way.

Overthebow · 30/12/2025 20:50

No why would there be a reduction? It’s the tenants choice to go away.

SkyWalrus · 30/12/2025 20:51

I suppose the tenant could ask but the answer might be no. You wouldn’t get discount on renting a whole property or mortgage payments or indeed council tax etc. If the tenant leaves their possessions there, they are occupying the room. Still, if you don’t ask, you don’t get.

Seawolves · 30/12/2025 20:51

No, why would there be a reduction in rent?

Cheesypasta · 30/12/2025 20:51

No, of course not. Unless tenant is prepared to move all their stuff out for the six weeks to allow someone else to rent it!

WarmGreyHare · 30/12/2025 20:52

I wouldn't expect a rent reduction , you are occupying the property so it can't be let to anyone else.
However, how are the bills included, is it billed by usage? If not then possibly a bit less for unused electric and water. But it would be very minimal for that amount of time.

Original poster
LumpyandBumps · 30/12/2025 20:54

Wow. Thanks for all of the replies so far.
I was trying to keep the post neutral, but probably best to tell you that I am the landlord.

OP posts:
Xmascraker · 30/12/2025 20:55

No, ridiculous

Original poster
LumpyandBumps · 30/12/2025 20:56

The rent includes gas, water, electricity, Council Tax and internet.
This request has come from a tenant who has already been away for 3 weeks. His room is locked and he has not suggested that he turned off the central heating in his room.

OP posts:
HitchinNudists · 30/12/2025 20:57

No. I presume you'd have a tenancy agreement which stipulates the rent. Even though the tenant is away, they're still in occupancy as all their stuff is there and the tenancy agreement still applies until you leave and give up the tenancy.

momamia12 · 30/12/2025 20:57

Unless it’s in an area you can rent it out eg Airbnb and they have removed all their belongings perhaps, then perhaps if you managed to rent it? The having to remove all belongings will put them off

HouseWithASeaView · 30/12/2025 20:57

No as the room remains yours even if you aren’t using it.
I’m not sure you could even ask for a discount on utilities. After all, even in a private individual property you’d leave the heating to come on at some points whilst away at this time of year and might have lights coming on for security purposes. Council tax applies regardless as do water rates if not on a meter. Plus bills will be divided between all occupants of the HMO and so, to cover them, they are either going to have to pay a percentage more to cover your share or the landlord will have to take a hit. These costs are the benefit of not having to give notice, move out and find somewhere else to live when you come back.

SchoolDilemma17 · 30/12/2025 20:59

Of course not! I also pay for nursery even when we are on holidays. You pay for the space if you use it or not us not their problem.

TomatoSandwiches · 30/12/2025 20:59

No 😂

Brass neck on that one.

CornishTiger · 30/12/2025 21:00

They are beyond cheeky!! It’s not a hotel room that cod be relet. It’s full of their stuff!

BadgernTheGarden · 30/12/2025 21:02

No, the landlord can't let to someone else while you are gone. They may get small savings by you not being there, but a lot of the costs will be the same.

caringcarer · 30/12/2025 21:03

They are just trying it on. They left all their things in the room so they are still occupying it.

Seawolves · 30/12/2025 21:04

You could reduce it I guess but don't forget to add a charge for storing his belongings while he's away...

Anotherdayanotherdollar · 30/12/2025 21:05

Well, no. As your can't rent the room. I might however consider a reduction if the bills for the month were considerably less than usual. Gas or water maybe. But council tax and WiFi etc are set monthly fees surely?

Arlanymor · 30/12/2025 21:19

No he's a cheeky so and so - he could have talked to you about this beforehand, but he didn't and even then I wouldn't have been inclined to reduce anything because how do you calculate his non-use of water, electricity, etc? Because presumably you pay those bills for the house based on one bill and not a usage-based tariff that is split between rooms? If he had told you before and you could have rented it to people visiting family nearby over Christmas that would have been one thing... but he didn't, and his stuff is in a locked room, so tough tits.