To think that a one-bedroom (46square metre) is too small for a family of three?

[GoAhead2020]

Classic story, we ended up as landlords due to negative equity. That is fine, but something DH and I agreed on is to try and do this as ethically as reasonably possible. The flat is pet-friendly, we're happy to consider DSS, willing to figure something out in case of furlough etc. We would happily rent to a single parent - which apparently is above the baseline, which should really be higher.

We currently have three applicants. Number 1 and 2 (chronologically!) would be perfectly fine. Both reliable-ish employment, no partner, no children, no pets (flat explicitly advertised as pet-friendly). Applicant number 3: couple with a 3-year old and a dog, on DSS.

The flat is furnished with a bed-sofa in the living room, so in theory, they'd be able to manage. However, isn't this way too small for a family of three? I also worry that their willingness to consider a one-bedroom for a family of three might point towards payment issues (flats only slightly further away would be bigger+cheaper). If she were a single parent with a child I would happily rent to her but for a couple with a child it would be very cosy.

I don't know. We are still awaiting references from applicant 1 and 2 - number 1, I really like and have a good gut feeling about. However, I would also hate to be the kind of person who doesn't rent to someone just because their circumstances arent't picture-perfect. Would this be big enough for a family of three? The flat is close to the beach and has a garden, so other than the number of rooms, I can see why they'd be interested. Ideally, we would like for the next person to rent long-term and I can't see a kid being happy without their own room once they start school. Then again, there is a school across the road from the flat.

YABU = That is big enough
YANBU = Way to small

(and yes, of course I name-changed, have you seen how some people treat landlords on here?!)

Err

No. Lots of families live like this.

That is helpful @feelingverylazytoday, thank you.

Know a few families who have brought up their children in a 1 bed flat whilst saving for a house.

Know someone who lived for a few years in a 1 bedder with 2 children

Sorry, that was a semi-sarcastic reponse to your first post, the second one is actually helpful - soooo easy to post early, though!

Have you checked the legalities? There is a minimum amount of space per person in the UK and you could get into trouble with the local authorities if deemed to be renting too small a home to too many people. Annoyingly I can't find the figures, but it's worth bearing in mind.

Is the school over the road Outstanding by any chance?

GeorgiaMcGraw

I think that is only if you rent through the council

@GeorgiaMcGraw that is a useful thing to know, thank you! Will get DH on that - this kind of stuff borders on his area of expertise so I deligate this kind of stuff to him.

Needs must - if they can only afford a 1-bed flat then that will have to suffice. But I don't think anyone would necessarily choose to live like that with a child. They are obviously operating with financial constraints.

You sound like a good landlord. And I say this as someone who is often the one bashing the landlords (I work with them, indirectly, and there is an enormous number of extremely unscrupulous people in the industry).

A good landlord doesn't have to equal a charity, though. I agree landlords should allow pets, of course they should accept benefits, of course they should work with their tenants if they can when tenants are struggling - it's depressing that these things aren't the standard. But you are still allowed to decide who you want to rent to - there doesn't sound anything wrong with the family of 3, and there might be a hundred reasons why they want to be in your specific location, but if you get a good feeling off person 1, you are not obliged to rent it someone else.

It’s now discriminatory to not consider renting to people on benefits.

TBH I'd be more bothered about the dog. Yes they'd be cramped but they might have reasons to want to be in the area, school, family, transport links, nearby park etc.
Could be they are trying to get off benefits and save their own deposit, not everyone is happy on benefits and dealing with landlords.
I'd ask what the appeal is.

@Bridecilla Good point to bring up - not having children, I didn't think to check that. Education Scotland rated it Satisfactory in two categories and Good in the other two - so I guess fairly average?

@yelyah22 Number 1 and 2 are non-EU so come with their own challenges. However, both would only move for more convenience. I have yet to interview applicant 3, it is a balance act. We try to not be complete arseholes, which is a low bar.

@Bridecilla

Is the school over the road Outstanding by any chance?

Good thinking @Bridecilla! I wonder that too! OP, if it is, perhaps they're not going to live in it, just use the address for the school application. Or live there a very short time until they've got their school place, and then move somewhere bigger.

@Bikingbear We explicitly advertise as pet-friendly. We have dogs ourselves and the city the flat is in has few pet-friendly rentals. It being a one-bedroom, children are more of a concern - a baby or a single parent, I would get. This is something new, that I'm trying to get an understanding of.

In the country I'm from, raising children in a one-bedroom isn't uncommon but the square-footage would be much bigger.

I think it would be a push for a couple and baby unless it has copious amounts of storage. I would also not want a dog AND three people in that space. Bound to be extra wear and tear

It would be small for them but that's really their decision if they want to live there and can afford it

I mean it's your decision if you pick them but its their decision if they think they would have enough space if you see what I mean

Maybe yours is the only property they've found that will accept a dog ?

Have you asked them?
They may well have been turned away from others and they'll put up with the lack of space to keep their dog

I understand your sentiment. But you need to put your sensible head on. You don't want to be a landlord. You therefore need it to be as simple as possible. Who has the best references, most reliable on paper and least likely to cause damage.

You might be willing to rent to DSS but you should check that your mortgage and home/landlor's insurance allows that.

If they're in receipt of housing benefit/UC, you might be the only landlord they've found so far who is willing to accept it. I've known families squeeze themselves into small properties/pay whacking deposits not necessarily due to affordability but because they literally haven't been able to find anywhere else to live.

It's my understanding that living room is often counted as bedroom space by local authorities so actually may not be considered small and may be why the family is looking at is rather than suggesting there will be payment issues from them. They may also just be trying to ensure they can be more comfortable financially with less shortfall to pay from housing element of their universal credit, presuming that is the benefit they are on

@misselphaba

If they're in receipt of housing benefit/UC, you might be the only landlord they've found so far who is willing to accept it. I've known families squeeze themselves into small properties/pay whacking deposits not necessarily due to affordability but because they literally haven't been able to find anywhere else to live.

This is also likely true.