AIBU to end a tenancy so my niece can live there?

[SunnyDaysAndCoolNights]

We have a house that we rent out to a family with 2 children who have been in the house for about 7 years. The house is in the same city that our niece is at university in.

Just after Xmas, my niece asked us if she could live in the house for her second and third year at uni, (possibly longer) as the houses she had looked at weren’t very nice and she can’t stay in halls.

After speaking to my husband, we decided to say yes and we gave our tenants a section 21 notice in February. Our tenants were/are not happy and have been advised to stay in the house by the council. We thought that may happen which is why we served the notice in February despite my niece not needing the house until September. We were also aware of the new rules coming in soon which would make it harder to end a tenancy.

Since finding out that we have ended the tenancy for our current tenants, my brother and his wife (not nieces parents) have told us that we are ‘typical arsehole landlords’ for ‘kicking out a family’. They think our niece, also their niece is selfish for asking, that she could have found somewhere herself and that we should have put our tenants first as they have been our tenants for quite a long time and they have children. My brother and his wife rent with their children, so obviously that may play a part in their feelings on this. I feel upset they would say these things as I think it’s normal to put your own family first. My other brother and his wife who are parents of my niece are very annoyed at our other brother and his wife.

Would you have done the same as we have or would you have put the tenants first and said no to your niece? I do have sympathy for my tenants, they’re a nice family and have been good tenants, but obviously we love our niece and to us, she comes first.

So basically, niece threw a tantrum and said that if she can't have a house all to her special little self instead of living in ordinary student-suitable accomodation like her peers then she's going to flounce of her course.

You should have let her do just that. You are doing a huge disservice by teaching her that the world will move mountains to accommodate her. It won't.

Does OP realise that she wont get rid of the niece unless she is going to sell in the future.

Ffs, that's my point. There was a hint of sarcasm in my post. Deary me...🙄😆

I think you are being given a hard time on here. It is your house to do with as you wish. You have given the correct notice to your tenant and it is your decision to support your niece.

I understod. I think I was just pointing out that it's like playing Bingo. Which one would win?

I mean, legally you haven't done anything wrong. Morally, I think it's completely awful sorry.

A couple of points which I haven't seen raised yet:

• Have your current tenants been paying market rate or are they still on a relatively cheap rent in line with 7 years ago? I imagine they may struggle to afford in line with current prices, especially in a student town/city
• They may be forced to move out of the area, which would impact their jobs and their children's schooling

I appreciate that these things aren't technically your problem, but I do think you have a moral duty towards the family.

Also, is there any reason why your niece can't just move in with you if she's there most weekends anyway?

I am working and didn't have time to type all of this but this is the sort of thing I was considering when I said that I think it is a spectacularly stupid thing to do (as well as IMO immoral).

@SunnyDaysAndCoolNights

She may well be eligible for special consideration for 2nd and 3rd year accommodation via the University, OP.

Did you check whether that was the case? The Accommodation Officers would take her particular needs into account.

I would never have done this. It’s very unkind to your tenants who have been there for many years and raised their family there. What is a short stop gap for a couple of years for your niece is somebody’s family home.

Then, when your niece finishes university and moves on you’ll have to find new tenants and who knows if they’ll be as reliable as the original ones.

On top of all that you’re supposed to live somewhere shit as a student, it’s a right of passage!

I find it really upsetting that autism is seen as justification for selfishness. The autistic people in my life are caring and thoughtful. They have their difficulties of course but none of them would want a family to be evicted for their benefit.

this post needs more appreciation too. Your niece is highly intelligent to be going to university. She can build resilience and learn to cope--skills she will NEED. You're teaching her that the world will pander to her needs (like I imagine she has always been taught). That isn't good for her.

It won't.

I genuinely hope that karma shits on OP's head .

I like the sound of her other brother.

Sorry but I think your niece is a massive cheeky fucker for asking you to do this, and you should never have agreed to it.

Let’s hope your niece pays the same rent and all her bills ! And when she moves out in two years time you’re back to square one. I think you’ve behaved shamefully to be honest but get why.

I don't think this is a smart move at all !
Long standing tenants regular income 2 children !
Niece young uni parties ect ect may not stay longer than 2 years .
It's like u ruining a stable family set up for your niece's comfort and I think it's up to u but I personally wouldn't do this !

Your comment about student houses being almost all really awful actually isn't the case. The issue is cost. I have seen plenty of decent student accommodation in the city nearest me that has more than one university

I suspect part of what is driving this from the neice perspective isn't just being neurodivergent but cost as well

It can cost around 600 pounds - 1000 pounds a month plus for a room in a student flat - sometimes with bills and some not, more in London depending

However many people I know down south are paying over a grand for a private let with a couple of bedrooms. I'm not assuming the OP is down south but if the market rent is 1k a month - the OP is going to have to give a significant discount to her niece on the market rent so she can afford it given that the maximum student loan is just short of 11k out of London

If she's not working I assume her parents are helping her financially too

This is a very shortsighted decision on your behalf OP. Evicting long term tenants who’ve looked after your house in favour of an 18 year old girl who’s only going to stay two years is madness.

Morally it’s also absolutely reprehensible- that poor family! This may come back to bite you.

No. Let's hope the niece moves in the worst people imaginable and refuses to leave after her course finishes.

No you haven’t. Your older brother could put his hand in his pocket and help his daughter out. I hope your tenants make it as difficult as possible for you. Thank goodness for the new laws.

Theres no way she'll be paying the same rent as the previous landlords given what she'll get as a student loan. That would barely cover the rent in many places and is the reason why a lot of students have to find jobs just to keep their head above water

Where there are uni's there is good and bad accommodation. Since you don't seem to be worried about the money, it would have been better for both your tenants and your niece if the family had stayed put in your house, continued to be good tenants in a safe and settled home and for you to use the money to find your niece a lovely flat where she could learn independence in an environment more suited to an autistic teen. I would think living in a larger-than-needed house is going to overwhelm her. Unless you plan to pay all the bills too, how will she manage council tax, heating, etc etc?

Why are people repeating questions and comments that OP has already answered? And those calling her names and hoping bad things happen to her are the truly nasty people here.

YANBU OP. You have sympathy for this family but are putting your own family first which is what I would do. You sound like a nice Aunt and I’m sure she appreciates what you are doing to help her. I’ve just read your OP to my partner and a friend who are both here and they both agree that niece trumps this other family.

I feel sorry for the family that you're trying to evict.
What an awful thing to do. You don't seem too bothered about it.

It's your house OP you can do what you like with it.