Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU in thinking this is madness?

19 replies

brazenhussy · 18/02/2011 15:55

My BIL has lived in a housing association house for all his life. The house belonged to his parents and it was transferred over to him when they died 10+ years ago.

He has had the idea from a friend that he could let out this house as a private rental when he goes travelling later this year so that he has the house to move back into when he returns.
This would also provide him with an income while he is away.

I have told him this is madness as if the housing association find out he will surely lose the house but he is adament that 'everyone does it' Hmm

Anyone in the know who can help me make him see sense?

Tia

OP posts:
glitzy · 18/02/2011 16:04

Im pretty sure thats definately not allowed, but im sure someone in the know will be along soon

Amieesmum · 18/02/2011 16:06

The HA will usually have a "scheme"for house sitting if people are going away for a period of time and will be returning. Maybe look into that instead. It would be above board and assume financially viable.

PinkWinged · 18/02/2011 16:08

It's called subletting and is unlawful. He would certainly loose the house and possibly be charged with fraud or at least civil action.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7956258.stm

www.insidehousing.co.uk/tenants-offered-%C2%A3500-to-shop-subletting-neighbours/6507531.article

www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/pdf/1396431.pdf

Hope you manage to convince him it's not worth the risk.

Original poster
brazenhussy · 18/02/2011 16:10

I did know about the scheme with the HA but unfortunately my BIL is always after a quick buck and wants to do this regardless of it being against the law

OP posts:
Hammy02 · 18/02/2011 16:15

I don't understand how the house 'belonged' to his parents? Surely it belonged to the housing association? Is this just indicative of the sense of entitlement that is consuming this country?

Original poster
brazenhussy · 18/02/2011 16:19

Hi Hammy When I said it belonged to his parents I meant it belonged to the HA but they had lived in it since it had been built.

OP posts:
Edinburghlass · 18/02/2011 16:42

If you warn him of the risk and he goes away anyway, that's up to him. He's an adult. I'd leave it in his hands. If it goes wrong for him, he'll be the one who's evicted.

Original poster
brazenhussy · 18/02/2011 21:41

Hmmm that's the problem Edinburghlass he'll be evicted and I will be expected to put him up while he is re housed.

OP posts:
MumInBeds · 18/02/2011 21:44

Then tell him before he goes that you won't be putting him up if it goes wrong, if he does it anyway then that is his look out.

MissVerinder · 18/02/2011 21:48

YANBU. It is madness. The HA will definitely find out.

Hatesponge · 18/02/2011 21:51

I'm assuming he's a single man - that being the case he's lucky to have been able to stay on in a house which is bigger than his needs after his parents died. If I was him I would be feeling grateful to have a roof over my head, not thinking of ways it could earn me money!

SpringHeeledJack · 18/02/2011 22:02

they won't necessarily find out, if the neithbours don't grass him up

I used to work for a HA, and only found out quite by chance that two of our elderly tenants were spending 6 months of every year in Malta, Portugal and the like and letting their flat as a holiday let. The swine got a fortune for it- was in a vair posh part of London...

and, Hammy, the idea of succeeding to a tenancy after the tenant's death, as a partner, or dependent child, is the law at the moment, and the succeeding tenant pays rent on it- I don't think it demonstrates a "sense of entitlement" any more than inheriting wealth from deceased parents.

curlymama · 18/02/2011 22:12

Warn him, and say you won't be putting him up if it goes wrong.

Then when he does it anyway, report him.

fortyplus · 18/02/2011 22:19

He'll be entitled to take a lodger. And just because he's away travelling doesn't mean it isn't still his main residence. So although he can't let the whole property he could let a bedroom and receive some income.

The HA may look kindly on this proposal as it means the property won't be left unoccupied.

Subletting, however, is illegal as others have said.

Original poster
brazenhussy · 19/02/2011 18:57

Thanks everyone for your wise words as always

OP posts:
pearlym · 19/02/2011 19:00

I think he should not be in HA housing as a single man preseumably well enough and wiht sufficient funds to travel. Why is he being subsidised and why is he in a property which could be used by a family in poss more need than him, I think to let it our privately and keep rent would be dishonest of him and probably in breach of terms of his tenancy

confuddledDOTcom · 19/02/2011 19:08

As Pink says, subletting is illegal. Not all HAs do house sitting (mine doesn't) and often the house can't be empty for more than a certain time under the tenancy agreement.

Hammy, the way HA works you do actually own the property and don't pay rent it's service charges. It's very complicated, please don't ask me to explain in detail, I'm not sure pregnancy brain could manage it and it's been awhile since I did this so it means digging around in the depths of a pregnant brain.

pearlym, HA is not just for people in need. We have estates that you have to be on a minimum wage (not minimum wage, a minimum wage I'm not sure what it is anymore) and a key worker to live there. It's not subsidised, they're only allowed to charge service charges and not make money from it. It's not the same as Housing Benefit.

pearlym · 19/02/2011 19:11

Soz, my mistake, can get hot under collar as our SIL and BIL are rattling around i a 4 bed council place in nice area, just had new heating, double glazing etc put in, v low rent, while they rent out her own property!

Misfitless · 19/02/2011 22:38

pearlym report them!
It mskes my blood boil!
You can be anonomous I'm sure and they'll never suspect you.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page
Swipe left for the next trending thread