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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Jeeperscreepers69 · 31/01/2020 10:13

I would ask the question why does she wabt to rent 2 beds with 3 kids????

Misspollyskettle · 31/01/2020 10:13

No I wouldn’t.

I don’t like the dishonesty.

And I think it’s too much going on in a small home. And what is a partner is added? That would be 5 people and 2 animals.

FWIW we are 2 adults and 2 children in a 2 bed home. And we are very good tenants and I maintain high standards with regards to caring for the flat and I would not want to bring animals in here at all. That just adds an extra level of mess. When you live in a small space you are very aware of what this would entail. For example I have no idea where I would even put cat toilet trays and cat beds as every square foot of space is used!

ddraigygoch · 31/01/2020 10:15

No @MoonlightMistletoe she lied. She has more children than the house possibly can house. The risks are there. The number of adults is irrelevant. Her relationship status is irrelevant. She lied end of.

Rezie · 31/01/2020 10:15

I know quite a few families that are renting who live in somewhere "too small". My colleague lives in one bedroom with 3 kids and partner lives there part time. Growing up my friends might have their own bedroom but parents had bed in living room. It's not always possible to have a place that is considered big enough.

MoonlightMistletoe · 31/01/2020 10:16

Ok it did come across people were judging the family. Of course being a liar is a huge issue and I agree with that.

I would ask the estate agency if she had told them about the children because they may have kept it quiet ?

If the tenant hadn't disclosed this on the actual tenancy agreement then I'd say she was a liar but if the children are on it and no one has signed yet then she hasn't lied and of course you can reject them.

What I would do is ask for the family to meet at the property so you OP can get to know them and go off your feelings from that.

NailsNeedDoing · 31/01/2020 10:16

The biggest problem is that landlords no longer have any protection in law from bad tenants.

Laws that were supposed to be created to protect tenants have had the opposite effect and have forced landlords into being far more cautious than they would otherwise have been. When landlords have literally no protection from tenants that do damage or won’t leave when they are supposed to can can face bills running into the thousands so easily, it’s no wonder that they are reluctant to take a chance on tenants.

Needmoresleep · 31/01/2020 10:16

The agent is at fault. They work for you.

I have had agents explain "non-standard" tenants and if I am advised by the agent that they seem reliable, it is often possible to work something out.

What has happened with the referencing? This is a commercial transaction and you need confirmation that she has a reliable credit record and can afford the property.

At minimum you need a property third part reference. But the fact that you have posted here means you have doubts. A house is a major asset. It is not something you can afford to risk.

(My concern would be that if you don't have a mortgage you won't need permission to let, and you may not have demanded sight of a reference and that the Agent is trying to sneak someone past you for their own reasons. Do you have landlord insurance? If you are new to this, get that and join a national landlord association with a legal help-line. Do NOT trust a letting agent to be professional or act in your interest.)

BlouseAndSkirt · 31/01/2020 10:18

If she is a single mother with 3 kids and cat moving from a 5 bed to a 2 bed rental intending to buy in a year, I would say she is obviously leaving a marriage and wants to keep the cats.

It may be that the kids will spend time at the father’s house too.

Huge sympathy for her position, but it is entirely your choice. Are you concerned about extra wear and tear (I would, or at least take it into account, for the washing machine alone).

But, the facts are clear now, she isn’t sneaking the kids in once the lease is signed.

Tsubasa1 · 31/01/2020 10:18

Ask her directly why she didnt mention it in the application. Maybe there is a good reason! Then I would go with your gut.

Bibidy · 31/01/2020 10:19

I don't see the issue, 3 kids in a 2 bed house isn't that bad? Like others have said, you don't know the ages, one of them may share with the mum anyway.

Also it might be that they spend time with their dad as well so won't even live there all the time.

I'd get it if there were 5+ kids but 3? That's not a large family.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 31/01/2020 10:20

If she is a single mother with 3 kids and cat moving from a 5 bed to a 2 bed rental intending to buy in a year, I would say she is obviously leaving a marriage and wants to keep the cats.

It's not obvious. I thought she might have lived with an older relative who's died and they've sold the house or are waiting for everything to go through probate but her circumstances are irrelevant

mumwon · 31/01/2020 10:23

you only want to rent the property for a year - you do realize that you wont be able to use section 21 no fault eviction if she decides not to go? Is she on universal credit? It is payed in arears - & you can no longer get extra deposit for cat damage & just because you have a cat doesn't mean their cat (or the way they look after it) will not cause damage & 3 children (which haven't been mentioned until now) are going to cause wear & tear (which is fair enough) on what will be your home again. In your shoes (as a homeowner who will be going back to this as your home) I wouldn't rent to a cat owner & I would seriously think about not renting to someone with 3 children. the agent is not your friend they are a business & at the moment they have difficulty placing people so they may well have "forgotten" to tell you the whole truth -I suggest you join RLA (Residential Landlord Association)or another Landlord association -RLA have a forum you can claim back the cost on your tax & they also have an advice line - please look it up. This property will be your home again -if these people have lied to you once they most probably will do again. the risks a Landlord who is only using the property as a business may decide are worth while are NOT the same as someone in your position. Think of yourself first - please.

LakieLady · 31/01/2020 10:23

99% of the time, I'm on the tenant's side, but for me the dishonesty is a big concern. If someone's prepared to mislead about having kids, what else are they prepared to mislead you about?

And I think you'd be doing them a favour, in the long run. Living in such cramped conditions with 3 growing kids would be hellish.

TatianaLarina · 31/01/2020 10:24

It’s your property. The wear and tear on a house with that number of people in it will be considerable. The total number should have been disclosed from the outset, the agent is at fault there.

Personally I would say no as it could end up costing you a lot of money.

I also think you’re being a bit naive about the cats. If cat owners let their cats pee on the carpet or they miss the litter tray you will have to replace the carpets and potentially the underlay too.

NoMorePoliticsPlease · 31/01/2020 10:26

A face to face meeting, and be honest about it being for one year only, prepare for the house to be trashed

mumwon · 31/01/2020 10:26

ps I got caught out - badly - & I am much more cautious - as you should be - it can take 6 months or more to get someone out if they have difficulty finding another place & they well might -because they have a cat & 3 children.

Zeusthemoose · 31/01/2020 10:27

Good point someone said about if it's a separation which it looks very likely to be the kids may be at Dads 50% of the time. I would seek more info from your agent before making a decision. It must be so difficult trying to rent a place with children and animals. They are prob waiting for family home to sell so she can buy.

Strawberrypancakes · 31/01/2020 10:29

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

champagneandfromage50 · 31/01/2020 10:29

Its the dishonesty that is the issue here. Did they lie or was the agents not clear with you?

TatianaLarina · 31/01/2020 10:31

I think people need to stop inventing sentimental back stories. OP is not running a charity service. We’ve no idea what this woman’s circumstances are, whichever way this house is not appropriate for this family. The rental wouldn’t have for this far if the agent had done its job.

Cornettoninja · 31/01/2020 10:33

or at least take it into account, for the washing machine alone

I’d be more concerned letting to a MNetter regarding the washing machine the way some of this lot wash everything if someone even looks at it

MyDcAreMarvel · 31/01/2020 10:33

The wear and tear on a house with that number of people in it will be considerable.
It’s four people in a two bed, two in each room. Not a large family at all! Don’t be ridiculous.

EvilPea · 31/01/2020 10:35

Did you meet her at the viewings?
Ive had so many issues with agents, not doing correct paperwork / asking landlords about kids & pets, I wouldn't necessarily jump to her being dishonest.

Does she know its only a year?

14allandall41 · 31/01/2020 10:37

I think you need to speak to the agent and find out a bit more. I suspect this is more their incompetence than anything

TatianaLarina · 31/01/2020 10:39

I didn’t say the family was ‘large’ just too big for the space.

4 people + 2 cats in a small house for a year = a lot of wear and tear.

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