If my tenant has negotiated a lower rent because she is a single mum of 2 she should not move in her entire extended family?

[QuintessentialShadows]

She negotiated her rent down, as she was just her and her two kids. Ideal quiet tenant, long term let.

So, a whole gang of people surprised my dh at the house when he went to London to have a final look prior to tenant moving in.

My other neighbour down the road got talking to them ( same ethnicity) and they said they were ALL moving in. Mum and her two children, her husband, her brother, her mum and her dad.... Only mum is named on the contract and the contract stays that nobody else can live there aside from named tenant.

Where do I stand? Can I demand higher rent bearing in mind wear and tear of appliances etc? With three working grown ups living there, surely they can afford it?

Hmmm I would be wary if she is the only one on the contract as it looks to any benefit claims she might make that she is living alone, such as council tax etc. When clearly she will not be living alone. I might just be being cynical but is much easier to claim benefits as a single person if you are the only one named on the tenancy.

i originally read the thread title to say, "because she is a single mum she should move in with her extended family?

er, tricky one.

but i love the way you said "same ethnicity", implying that they are surely not middle class white professionals..

That's not on. Firstly, is the house big enough to accommodate all those people legally? If not then ask them to leave.

If it is, then I would have thought you were perfectly within your rights to re-negotiate the rent.

Some people always want something for nothing.

What?! This is not on. Are you letting through an agent, or privately? Are you saying that you'd be happy for more people, as long as they pay their way? Or would you prefer only the mum and 2 kids? I wouldn't be happy..... they're breaking the tenancy agreement already and haven't moved in yet!

Oh, and taking the p*

Also check your insurance -might only cover named tenant. Moving the whole family in when she said it would be just her is not on, IMO.

Do you know what - I'd be tempted to tell the whole lot of them to bugger off and then start again . You can't possibly trust them after that.

Allgonebellyup, that is your prejudice, not mine....
I dont see how you must be white to be middleclass.

If you get chatting to somebody and it turns out you are from the same place, you are more likely to be open and friendly, not? They admitted to my neighbour that all of them are moving in, but NOT to my dh.

I would have thought that any adults that are living there should be put on a tenancy agreement otherwise they shouldn't be living there. I'm sure when I used to rent out houses (many moons ago) that this was what meant to happen.

I agree with nametaken.

No way would i put up with this. They are taking the p*ss. How could she have the cheek to negotiate a lower rent when she was planning on moving the whole family in?
Demand more rent or say she can't move in.
How big is the house?

i would think this is a violation of the tenancy agreement.

it is of ours.

Another one to advise dropping them right now and finding someone else.

The property is managed, they are due to move in on the 15th. I told the agent that I am not having 7 people in my house for that low rent, and he should be prepared to put the property back out on the rental market. I said I find this deceitful, and she has secured a tenancy agreement on false pretences. Obviously, he is not in work today, so will get to talk to him on monday.

She's a liar, isn't she?

Unless you're husband was misinformed. Do you trust your mole?

The house has 2 double bedrooms, one single. Sitting room, study/dining room, conservatory, big eat in kitchen, large garden. I still dont see how you can fit 5 adults and 2 kids there.

The tenancy agreement states that only the person named on the contract can live there.

I think you'd best look into your legal rights where this is concerned Quinty. It may be that once the contract is signed and she's moved in that (despite her breaking the tenancy agreement) it would be difficult for you to evict her (if that is necessary).

i agree, i wouldn't rent to them. your insurance, particularly the liability component, may be voided.

if she can lie about this, god only knows what else will crop up once they move in.

no way.

My mole is absolutely lovely and trustworthy. We get on very well. I used to take her son to school for a long period of time when she had back problems and on sick leave.

I agree. Move quickly because once they are in you could have a right battle on your hands getting them out/sorting it etc.

oh CoV you are right. We might get a problem getting them to leave anyway at the end of the rental term? They signed a contract for 18 months, they wanted a 3 year contract. (Think I know why now...)

also, i don't see why she'd get lowered rent for being single with 2 kids.

if she has a problem making the rent she can apply for housing benefit and it would be paid directly to her.

if she's single why's she got a husband?

that's sheisty.

I have a reference from her previous landlord (who obviously was keen to get rid). Maybe I should call them on monday and ask how many people she had living with her?

Don't bother, QS. just don't let her move in.

end of.