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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Any landlords would you agree to this?

41 replies

babysharksmummy · 03/09/2018 17:57

We have lived in our rented house for years and always paid rent on time.
A friend of a friend has approached me and said she is moving to the area from abroad and needs to rent a room for six months and asked if we would consider subletting.
We have a spare room that is currently a playroom but could clear it out in a weekend, tops.
We are going to pay the rent as normal and be completely liable, she would just be using the room.
If you are a landlord, would you agree to us doing this?
Nothing in our contract about it but it was never renewed from the first contract we ever had (and we've not had a single inspection either however wouldn't consider doing it without the landlord's permission)
Thanks!

OP posts:
WerewolfNumber1 · 03/09/2018 18:02

I wouldn’t allow you to sublet, as that creates issues for my mortgage and insurance.

If you asked I suppose I’d let you end your tenancy, and enter into a new joint 6 month tenancy with your friend but that risks the landlord increasing your rent. There would also be fees to do with granting the new tenancy which you’d need to cover.

So it’s prob not a great idea tbh.

user1483387154 · 03/09/2018 18:08

No I wouldn't let you. It is rented to you not other people as well

Sugarhunnyicedtea · 03/09/2018 18:12

No I wouldn't. It would change the terms of the agreement and wouldn't be allowed under my current insurance

DuchessThingy · 03/09/2018 18:14

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PotteringAlong · 03/09/2018 18:15

No. I couldn’t do it for my mortgage and insurance.

lastqueenofscotland · 03/09/2018 18:15

Depending on what area you live in assuming you live with your DP it could create a small HMO (three or more adults forming two or more households) in bits of Manchester, most of Nottingham and some other places despite this not being a mandatory HMO it will require additional planning (called selective licensing) this costs hundreds to apply for so if you fall in these areas it is likely your landlord would say no.

ChazsBrilliantAttitude · 03/09/2018 18:15

No I wouldn’t be happy about it. Staying a week or two whilst she found her feet as a guest would be fine. A sublet on the other hand would not be as I wouldn’t want anyone to try to claim a legal right to be in the property that I hadn’t granted myself.

bastardkitty · 03/09/2018 18:16

Why would you ask? You're just helping out a friend.

GirlFliesHome · 03/09/2018 18:16

As a landlord, potentially more hassle than it is worth but I would be willing to have the discussion with you and to find out what it would require and if it would affect my insurance etc.

FelixTitling · 03/09/2018 18:17

I wouldn't want you to ask me. I'm interested in how well you look after the house not who lives there. If you ask I'd say no as it I think it would invalidate my insurance.

BritInUS1 · 03/09/2018 18:18

No I wouldn't, sorry

ShalomJackie · 03/09/2018 18:18

No because unless they became a party to the tenancy they would not be able to serve notice on her (like they can with you) to leave!

Nomorechickens · 03/09/2018 18:20

If you sublet you will be 100% responsible for everything she does, including any damage. You would be advised to take out insurance, get her to sign a contract and take a deposit. Obviously with the permission of the landlord.
As a landlord I have refused permission for a tenant to sublet because it's not worth the hassle, I forget what but it would have created problems. And there's no advantage to the landlord - no extra rent for example.
Also the landlord would probably want to vet the subletter.
It sounds as if you are in a good position, I wouldn't jeopardise it if I were you.

KlutzyDraconequus · 03/09/2018 18:20

You're not really subletting. Just putting a friend up for a bit.
Ask her to pay the bills for 6 months as thank you for the favour you're doing her.

lastqueenofscotland · 03/09/2018 18:21

Even if you’re not taking money off her it’s sfill an occupant in the property who isn’t permitted to be there. Potential nightmare all round. And f you didn’t tell your landlord and they found out the breach of agreement could see you evicted

Canshopwillshop · 03/09/2018 18:22

No, sorry I wouldn’t for the reasons already given.

RefuseTheLies · 03/09/2018 18:23

If you asked me, I’d have to say no. If you happened to be helping a friend out for a short period of time, then I’d have no issues (and also would not need to know).

I’d be mindful of your tax situation before agreeing to anything.

cricketmum84 · 03/09/2018 18:23

I've never been a landlord - but if I was and a tenant came to me to say they had a friend who needed somewhere to stay for a few months I really don't think I would have an issue with it? Maybe put it across to the landlord that way rather than using the term "sub letting"?

ballseditupagain · 03/09/2018 18:23

I wouldn't let you do this if you asked me. But I prob wouldn't ever find out.

Elllicam · 03/09/2018 18:24

I think if you asked we would have to say no for insurance/liability purposes. I’d personally prefer not to know, no skin off my nose as long as you paid the rent. Although I may be bitter today as our tenant has not paid the rent. Again Hmm

ballseditupagain · 03/09/2018 18:26

Also most tenancies say that consent is not to be unreasonably withheld for this sort of thing.

Original poster
babysharksmummy · 03/09/2018 18:27

Thanks for the honest answers all! Smile

OP posts:
AnnieAnoniMoose · 03/09/2018 18:30

My advice would be not to ask.

If you ask you’re putting your landlord in a difficult position.

It wouldn’t bother me in the slightest you having a friend to stay 😊. It would bother my mortgage provider greatly you subletting If I know, I’m obliged to follow the rules, if I don’t know...

So I guess it depends if your friend is happy with a casual cash arrangement, or whether she wants official tenancy.

eggsandwich · 03/09/2018 18:30

Absolutely not!

Shitonthebloodything · 03/09/2018 18:34

Officially I wouldn't be able to agree, I'd rather you just paid your rent, looked after the place and didn't tell me.