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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Renting a 2 bed house to a family with 3 kids

462 replies

Beetle76 · 31/01/2020 02:51

I’ve got my hard hat on! I am renting out my two bed house while I have been seconded to a job in a different area for a year.
While it’s a small house, it’s in a good area so I received a number of offers for the full asking rent after the first viewing day. I decided to go with the person who stated they had two cats (I know what it’s like to rent with pets so I thought I’d help them out.)
The provisional paperwork listed a single tenant with their cats and I agreed to proceed on that basis. The full lease has arrived for me to sign and now it’s the tenant, plus cats, plus 3 kids.
My view is it’s a two bed house, one living room, small eat in kitchen and is thus not really suitable for a large family.
I didn’t base my decision on no kids, I just wanted to help out another cat person, and they happened to be the only applicant without kids.
I was expecting to have a kid or two in the house, it’s a great area for kids, but I think 3 is too many for the space. I don’t see where they would go - 3 kids beds would not fit in either bedroom, they are just not big enough. Maybe a sleeper couch in the living room? I suppose a kid could live under the stairs Harry Potter style 😂
But I fiercely dislike dishonesty and I feel they have been dishonest by not saying who would be living in the house from the outset. AIBU if I decide to pull the plug on this based that it’s not what I agreed to in the first place?
YANBU = it’s ok to pull the plug
YABU = it’s none of your business how many people are shoehorned into a rental property

OP posts:
Molly2017 · 31/01/2020 11:31

Another one asking whether she actually lied on a form or just asked permission for cats. If she lied I would not proceed with the agreement.
If it was a case of not ‘declaring’ the children I would probably ask for ages etc and then make a decision. Like others say, she may have one about to leave home or plans for bunk beds for example.
My friend had a very bad tenant who stopped paying rent and then refused to leave the property at the end of the contract. She was forced to evict through court and was advised by her solicitor that the process would have been much simpler, quicker and therefore cheaper if the tenant did not have children in the property.

TatianaLarina · 31/01/2020 11:38

I think lots of people on this thread need to accept that the idea of houses being “too crowded” or “too small” for a given number of people is entirely subjective and based on culture and circumstances rather than any objective measurement

I think people need to accept that the idea of the house being ‘too crowded’ or ‘too small’ is entirely based on the issue of wear and tear of the home. It’s not that you can’t fit 4 people in, or that many people do. It’s just that it’s not optimal as a rental. Particularly when it’s your own home and not a rental unit.

OP may be perfectly happy with a couple or single parent with a baby or young kid, so there was no reason to stipulate professionals only. Although I would have done personally, and also no pets. However much I like cats, I don’t want other people’s cats peeing on my carpet.

TatianaLarina · 31/01/2020 11:40

^Also you cannot guarantee in any shape or form that she will leave when you want. Just because she may sign to say she will vacate in a years time - she could drag it on for months Maybe her plans fall through? You'll have to go through court to get her out. Don't rent to her.
We are trying at the moment, to get a very very undesirable person out of our house, but our hands are completely tied, the stress is unbelievable!!^

Absolutely this.

adaline · 31/01/2020 11:41

I think lots of people on this thread need to accept that the idea of houses being “too crowded” or “too small” for a given number of people is entirely subjective and based on culture and circumstances rather than any objective measurement. We’re 4 people in a 2 bed; not that unusual here in London where property is so very expensive.

I think four people in a two bed is perfectly normal - two parents and two children in that situation is not unusual at all.

But at the end of the day it's irrelevant whether the tenants culture says that five people in a two-bed is acceptable - OP is the landlord and has the final say over who she rents her property to.

Tabbykitty · 31/01/2020 11:46

This sounds like a small two bed. The one I rented for a while with my larger family had double bedrooms big enough for three single beds plus all the necessary storage in one and a double bed with cot and storage in the other. Huge built in storage cupboard too.

Old terraced house, large room dimensions, high ceilings. Two living rooms, room for three sofas plus large dining table. Family size bathroom. Plumbing and space for a large washer dryer machine in kitchen plus ample outdoor space for washing line. The clothes washing/shared bedroom condensation point is an important one and something in our owned three bed end terrace I have to be obsessive about airing and heating wise.

Most modern two beds I've seen are much smaller in dimension, some more like one bed homes with an added box room. With the best will in the world and all my storage ideas I couldn't have fit my family in one of those and maintained it well or given the children acceptable sleeping conditions. Never mind two cats as well.

Honestface78 · 31/01/2020 11:56

I see a few here judging this would-be tenant and the possibility of them over staying their welcome. I can't see how being single makes them any more unwilling to leave than a couple??

AgeShallNotWitherHer · 31/01/2020 12:05

No-one is judging the tenant for being single. They are judging the tenant for being dishonest. They are also assessing the risks to the OP should she go ahead.

Some people have good experience and have given advice based on that.

Anyone who thinks the OP "should" rent - wouldn't you be choosy about who was in your house while you were away - regardless of whether it was a rental or a favour?

ddraigygoch · 31/01/2020 12:05

Because people have experience. And it says that this situation has their serious potential to lead to an over population issue, overstaying, Balifs and thousands of pounds. When the law begins to change to protect LL more maybe more will be more lenient and forgiving. But as it stands. Tough.

Bibidy · 31/01/2020 12:07

Why is this tenant any more likely not to leave at the end of her tenancy than anyone else?

ddraigygoch · 31/01/2020 12:09

Because that's how they get emergency help from the council and also don't make themselves 'intentionally homeless'

GiveHerHellFromUs · 31/01/2020 12:14

I can't see how being single makes them any more unwilling to leave than a couple??

It doesnt. But their deception makes them untrustworthy.

TheGlitterFairy · 31/01/2020 12:23

It would be a no from me OP. Your flat, you can rent it out to whomever you want to and don’t need to justify it to them or anyone on here.

ShirleyPhallus · 31/01/2020 12:29

I wouldn’t touch it. Having been in a “charitable” position myself who then when we came to sell the house refused to move out. Because they couldn’t get another rental easily and wanted a council house.

OP isn’t a charity.

Runnerduck34 · 31/01/2020 12:31

3 DC in a 2 bed house might be a squeeze depending on bedroom size and age of DC. But I have some sympathy with potential tennant, single parent who would probably much rather rent a 3 bed if they could afford it, and then there's the cats . I love cats and as a mum I'd probably rent it to her but then I'm a soft touch!
Ultimately she will be living in the potentially crowded conditions not you. I suppose the more people/pets the more wear and tear there might be but then that would be covered with a deposit ?

jimmyjammy001 · 31/01/2020 12:31

They Should have of been honest like the rest of the applicants who said they had kids, not try and pull a fast one, very dishonest, what happens in a years time when you want the house back and they have no where to move to? Will be costly to get them out with court fees plus if there are kids there the judge may well let them stay

Taddda · 31/01/2020 12:42

I wonder what it would be like if there wasn't such a housing crisis- landlords actually having to sell their properties to potential tenants instead of putting mass demands on their personal circumstances, charging extortionate fees, insurances, etc...
Rental adverts generally always start with 'No pets, No Dss, Professionals only' even 'No Children' is popping up more often-

The thing is people loose their jobs, Parents separate, people have children- all of which could happen after the tenancy has been agreed, life happens-

Find out about the honesty or whether it was just not relevant on the initial application (could have 50/50 care with the children, possible it wasnt intentionally deceptive...?)

Up to you who you let to, I just wish it was more of a renters market...

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 31/01/2020 12:44

Rental adverts generally always start with 'No pets, No Dss, Professionals only' even 'No Children' is popping up more often

What’s Dss?

adaline · 31/01/2020 12:45

I see a few here judging this would-be tenant and the possibility of them over staying their welcome.

I wouldn't rent to someone who had lied to me. I don't think many would, surely?

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 31/01/2020 12:45

Why is this tenant any more likely not to leave at the end of her tenancy than anyone else?

Not all LLs accept cats, so she might find it difficult to find another place, and might not want to leave because of that.

NailsNeedDoing · 31/01/2020 12:47

I can't see how being single makes them any more unwilling to leave than a couple??

Because she will be less likely to be able to afford somewhere big enough for her children and more likely to need of council housing. The council won’t help her until she has been evicted by bailiffs. Her tenancy coming to an end won’t be enough to get their help.

LoonyLunaLoo · 31/01/2020 12:56

It’s the cars that would put me off. My brother and SIL rented a house from us and we relaxed the no pets rule as it’s family, and they left the house riddled with fleas 😡😡😡 and that’s my own family!

LoonyLunaLoo · 31/01/2020 12:56

Cats not cars

Taddda · 31/01/2020 13:06

@ChardonnaysDistantCousin
The Department of Social Security (DSS) is a defunct governmental agency in theUnited Kingdom. The old abbreviation is still often used informally. Advertisements for rented accommodation often describe prospective tenants who would be paying their rent by means of Housing Benefit as "DSS" tenants

ChardonnaysDistantCousin · 31/01/2020 13:07

Thanks

TARSCOUT · 31/01/2020 13:07

@taddda then feel free to become a LL. Just investing my profit for one of my properties for a whole year to put in a new bathroom and kitchen in a rental property which will be much nicer than the ones in my own house. This is my pension! Why should I have to sell it to a tenant. Work hard, save hard, live within your means and buy your own house if you don't want to rent!