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?!)

I dunno - could be that it’s all they Can afford

My husband and I live in a 1bed flat - it’s 1300£ a month - a 2 bed in same area would be about 1600 - we can’t afford that

Baby is due in feb so we are just gonna stay put tbh!!

Their dog though might be a bit much on top of everything!

The other candidates may be more suitable tbh

Are there other housing units adjacent to yours? It might be a noisy household in a small space with 3 occupants plus a pet. If the soundproofing is not good then you may get lots of complaints.

I know a couple of people renting who, when their lease was up, have specifically moved to smaller places that will be completely covered by UC. None of them are not working, but a few work in idustries that have seen large levels of furlough or could be affected long-term.

Why are the couple moving? You could really make a big difference to their lives potentially by giving them a chance.

You might want to check if your mortgage provider allows DSS as most don’t.

Other than that, 46m sq isn’t ideal for a family but I can imagine it being doable if the layout is right and there’s ample storage. With a DSS family, you’d probably get much longer term tenants too.

Housing benefit will be paid on the number of bedrooms ie one in this case (different from how it assessed as housing size for council) check local council housing rate because that is what they will get -they won't get the figure for 2. What references have they got, you need to do background checks on tenants & I would suggest you check what paperwork you need to supply & do a gas safety check (if you have gas) & you will need to do the new electric safety check you will need to place deposit in deposit scheme & you CANNOT take extra deposit for the pet. You can only take about 5 weeks deposit. You also should check whether the flats allow pets. You have to remember the neighbours in the flats

Do you have a buy to let mortgage? re pp & your insurance may not cover tenants either

There will be more wear and tear on the flat with a child and a dog. Does the head lease even allow pets? Many purpose built blocks do not. Also consider the impact on your neighbours. It is likely that they will be noisier than a single person.
I would have no qualms about saying you are sorry but you have decided to offer the flat to someone else who you feel is better suited to it.

Check your tenancy agreement and landlord insurance. I don’t think my AST would allow for over 2 people in a one bedroom flat. I would not be comfortable letting to them.

I'm a landlord and we had lovely tenants in our one bed flat who had a baby, then MiL from abroad moved in and they didn't move somewhere bigger until they had baby no.2. They looked after the property and always paid their rent on time.

You choose the best applicant, the person most likely to look after your property and pay you rent, not the person most in need. You're not a charity and you need to pay your mortgage.

One of the families I know who lived in a 1 bedder had 2 small dogs and another had a Labrador.
Don’t think they were any bigger than 46sqm

Sometimes it isn’t about affordability but saving money to buy.
The difference between a 1 bed and 2 bed flat can be £3-400 per month so after 3 years they could have saved a further £10,000 just by squeezing into a 1 bed whilst the children are small.

Also having a dog could be a factor that they want a pet friendly flat.

It could be your place or no where.

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 bigg

I highly doubt they're renting somewhere extra to get into a school if they're on benefits.
And if they're in Scotland and the child is 3 just now they wont be thinking about registering for school yet.

Try not to let emotions get in the way. It's really nice of you to consider pets, but just go for the one with the best reference, then you won't feel as though you selected someone over another. It might be that the larger family with pets will be the best tenants but go with the data,

@Nottherealslimshady

You choose the best applicant, the person most likely to look after your property and pay you rent, not the person most in need. You're not a charity and you need to pay your mortgage.

Exactly

Lots of people like that way, I don’t think it it too small

Go with your gut

I used to live in a 47m2 house with my husband, 4 year old and a dog and it was fine, though it did have two small bedrooms rather than one.

I think you should let them judge if the house is big enough themselves, not everyone wants a big house and if they’re renting they can move on in a couple of years if it starts feeling too small.