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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

About current tenant's request

271 replies

Neonpotato · 04/09/2019 17:26

Name change as outing.

We have a tenant in our 2 bed flat currently, she seems nice.
Our letting agency has told us that apparently our tenant's friend's son is coming over from overseas to study, and she has asked whether it's ok for him to live in the flat. The agency has checked with insurance and it's fine, and it's not considered subletting as she will continue to pay rent and has full responsibility of the flat.

Can I say no? We specified at the very beginning that no students are allowed. I guess it's not so bad if she also lives there but I don't know how long he will be there for, and worry that he will stay on even if she leaves at some point.
It was good of her to ask and I don't want to be a difficult landlord but we don't really want students. Happy to be told that IABU though.

OP posts:
cakeandchampagne · 04/09/2019 17:53

If I owned it, I would say no.

BogglesGoggles · 04/09/2019 17:53

@T0getherindreams sarcasm? Difficult to tell in text and some people a bit batty.

doublesheesh · 04/09/2019 17:53

I don't know the terms of the tennancy. 2 people living in a place will cause more wear and tear than 1. Did you specifically look for a single person? Would you have rented the place to a couple in the first place or did you only ever want 1 person there? Don't rely on what the agent says, YOU must check with YOUR insurance company regarding all implications of having a second non-relative living at the place.

doublesheesh · 04/09/2019 17:55

and yes, you are right to have concerns about potentially being stuck with a non paying squatter if your original tennant moves out

slobberyblob · 04/09/2019 17:55

Woooow. It's her son. You're a bit of an arsehole really.

TheHodgeoftheHedge · 04/09/2019 17:56

Slobbery, it’s not her son, it’s a friend’s son.

Hahaha88 · 04/09/2019 17:59

I think yabu. It's hardly like it's going to become a party house student pad with his mother's friend living there. I wouldn't have even asked or thought to ask if I were the Tennant

Original poster
Neonpotato · 04/09/2019 18:02

We didn't specify single person only and have had a nice couple in the past. And I really appreciate her asking, so don't want to be unreasonable. Seems like I am though? I'll check with insurance first.

OP posts:
slobberyblob · 04/09/2019 18:02

Fucksakeeeee. Okay, hands up - I'm sorry OP. If it's worth anything I no longer think you're an arsehole!

Apolloanddaphne · 04/09/2019 18:03

My DD1 and her DP rent a 2 bedroom flat but only use one bedroom. They have a second bedroom which is constantly in use as people come to stay with them a lot. My DD2 was thinking of staying for an extended period to do an internship. She would probably contribute to the day to day running bills. I am not sure they would ever think to ask permission. They pay the required rent, why shouldn't they have people to stay if they want to?

Span1elsRock · 04/09/2019 18:03

I'd agree to it but on the condition that he passes reference and credit checks.

You agreed to let to the tenant, not the tenant and a friend's son. You have no idea if he has a criminal record, for example is a drug dealer, and would be operating a drug ring from your flat. He literally could be anyone.

Bwekfusth · 04/09/2019 18:05

£1,200 pcm for a 2 bed flat and we wonder why people can't save to buy. Anyway, I think having someone to stay with her for a while in the extra bedroom isn't exactly something you can say no to, perhaps legally you have every right to, but really? What is it you think he is going to do? Do your tenants also have to get permission to have people round for dinner?

StuffYouAllInTheCrust · 04/09/2019 18:07

The OP’s an arsehole?? Confused

OP I would say no, you’re not comfortable with the situation and it’s your right to deal with it as you see fit.

timshelthechoice · 04/09/2019 18:09

I'd say no because he could have rights to stay there if she decides to move on.

NoSquirrels · 04/09/2019 18:10

How long has she lived there, and how long is her tenancy? How permanent or temporary will this houseguest situation be?

The best thing to do would be to have a conversation with her yourself.

You probably don’t want to add him to the tenancy - students usually will be a problem for insurance etc.

But as she has asked, and is being upfront, I’d imagine it’s not likely he’ll stay if she moves out.

I’d be happier to do it for a long term tenant than someone who recently moved in.

theendoftheendoftheend · 04/09/2019 18:10

@T0getherindreams sarcasm? Difficult to tell in text and some people a bit batty.

I couldn't tell whether it was sarcasm either!

DobbyTheHouseElk · 04/09/2019 18:10

You are can refuse. You don’t have to give a reason. It’s more wear and tear, if the student gets a partner you could have 3 people in the flat. More wear and tear. You only have the set amount of deposit for damages.

GammaStingRay · 04/09/2019 18:11

OP you really don’t need to go to the letting agency quoting anything Hoofer or anyone else has said. You don’t have to provide them with a list of cast iron reasons you don’t want another adult moving in. It’s your flat, the letting agency work for you.

You just reply and tell them ‘we’ve considered the request and the answer is no. The tenancy is for tenant in her sole name and we’re not willing to add another tenant on. Thanks for checking the insurance details!’

It’s not really any different to her asking if she can get a massive dog when it wasn’t mentioned when she took on the tenancy when you think about it. Either way she’s wanting to change the terms of the tenancy and you can say no and don’t need to argue your case or convince the letting agency!

Puzzledandpissedoff · 04/09/2019 18:11

It is not a "friend coming to stay" scenario
It is a "moving in" scenario which is entirely different

Exactly

The obvious question, if it's the tenant's friend's son, is why he doesn't live with her instead? Even if there's no room at his mum's, I don't think I'd risk this if there's a chance she could leave and he could stay on, possibly moving yet another person into the second bedroom - especially with you being too far away to keep a close eye on things

ReasonedCamper · 04/09/2019 18:13

It is not a sub let, he won't have any rights, she is responsible for the deposit etc, and a woman and her studying son is not the same as 'letting to students'.

Surely you expect a two-bed flat to have more than one person living in it?

If you are worried about his right to stay in, check this out legally and specifically.

If she rented it and had brought up her child there and was a good tenant, would you evict her if her son got a place at Uni?

OutOfIdeasMum · 04/09/2019 18:14

Depends on what "to study" means. Full 3-4 years for an undergrad? I'd suggest he can stay a few months and should look for something else.

Exchange year, one-yeat Master? I'd be okay with that.

I'd make it clear that she is still solely responsible for paying rent, council tax, bills, ... so if he is unable to pay, she knows it is her problem not yours.

A two-bedroom can accommodate at least two people, more likely 3-4, you are really part of the housing crisis here.

NoSquirrels · 04/09/2019 18:16

The obvious question, if it's the tenant's friend's son, is why he doesn't live with her instead?

Because he’s coming from overseas? Bit of a commute ... Grin

Seriously, though, it is a bit hard to tell if this is temporary and akin to the houseguest/intern for a short but defined time or a more permanent extra tenant. He could just need to stay for a month or two while he gets settled, or they may be thinking this is a year-long commitment. My answer would change depending on the situation- so it’s best to speak directly to the tenant. I’d probably ask for an increased deposit if I did agree.

regmover · 04/09/2019 18:17

Bloody hell, can anyone actually read the threads? He's coming from overseas... so I guess that's probably why he can't live with his mum.
Op - why don't you join the Landlord's Forum? They are brilliant over there and a lot of expertise.
On Mumsnet you'll be constantly subjected to sly digs about you being a landlord, and it's hard to work out who actually knows what they are talking about.
As a fellow landlord FWIW I think it's very nice of her to ask. A lot would have just gone ahead without even thinking about it. I'd get some advice from someone other than the letting agents.

GammaStingRay · 04/09/2019 18:17

It is not a sub let, he won't have any rights, she is responsible for the deposit etc, and a woman and her studying son is not the same as 'letting to students'.

Christ on a bike, is there some reason people seem to struggle with basic literacy on MN lately?

SarahAndQuack · 04/09/2019 18:18

She's asked. She knows the answer may be no. So you say, sorry, you don't feel happy about it.

It's fine.

For all you know, she'll breathe a sigh of relief and tell her friend sorry, unfortunately she can't help out, what a shame.