Is this a safeguarding issue ?

[BrokenFridgeDrawer]

Asking for a freind.

Male freind is 50+. Does maintainance and management for a (female) landlord. Landlord is travelling, and freind has stayed at particular property, the landlord's normal residence. Landlord has taken in two female foreign students as lodgers. The landlord is away. Freind previously stayed at property but is staying away now girls have moved in. Does have some possessions there. Friend is responsible for various issues which go beyond maintainance, dealing with personal matters. Friend sort of responsible for property whilst landlord away, post, bins,

As an older man, friend has been incredibly careful around girls, petrifiled of being mis-interpreted as anyting innapropriate. Always

He has been careful to message girls about his visits, and also any other people who will be accompanying him. Landlord creating a fuss, saying " not nessasary ", " just get on with it ", etc.

Gils nice intelligent, well mannered, responsible beyond their years, no parties, no problems. Girls been drinking for example, just relaxed glass of wine.

Friend does not want to " get on with it ", and being careful to give notice and request permission to enter ( house not their rooms ). Friction is arising.

Subsquently turns out that one of the girls is 17. Friend now concerned.
Sure everything will be OK, but god forbid, would he be held responsible for anything ?

Yes he could.

I see no issue with having manners and letting them know before hand someone is going round.

Regardless of anyone's age or sex, the landlord or their agents should be giving notice before visits, not just turning up and letting themselves in
Your friend is in the right.

Regardless of him doing that tho, of course if one of them decides to accuse him or doing something inappropriate it will be his word against her and two days notice and manners won't protect him

By law tenants have to give notice of any works, inspection etc and can't just drop in

So he is living in the landlord's house where the lodgers live too? Is he accessing their personal spaces or common areas to do the work?

No, not living there.

It is the landlords home. They are travelling. The girls are lodgers, and have their own rooms, but obviously kitchen, bathroom, lounge etc shared.

He was living there for a litle while major buidling works going on. He was not living there at the point where the house behame propertly habitable. At that point the girls moved in. Therefore he has NOT returned, remained where he is so is not lving with them.

Tthere remains what is called " snagging " and a few jobs that are non essential in terms of living standards, cosmetic improvements, decorating.

However, the landlord is out of the country. Freind remains responsible for overseeing the remaining works, plus the general household maintainance, and re-arranging all sorts of things.

Technically, they are lodgers, so legally, they have to allow landlord into their rooms. it's not like that. It's not a bad situation. Legally, I assume he can come and go, the point being he is not and will not. Being very careful.

The point, his issue is that as one of the lodgers is 17, is the landlord, or more to the point him, as he is representing the landlord while they are overseas, responsib le in any way for the 17 year old ?

Obviously, smoke alarms, CO alarms, electrical certificates, everything is perfect in that sense.

His worry is, upon finding out that one is 17 and therefore legally a child ? Is that an issue. For example, if god forbid, they did overdo it on the drink, would he in any way be held responsible ?

So as two young girls in a foreign country, he originally felt responsible for them and was accomodating and helpful in any way he could be. Directions, transport information, shopping, where to go, where not to go. Telling them who the neighbors are. He has shown them how alarms work. Where fuse box is. Reminding them to lock all doors and windows. Put chain on at night. Telling them to ring him at any time night or day for absolutey any reason whatsoever.

What he is worried about now, having discovered that one of them is 17, is that are theyr legal implications, like being legally responsible for them in some way, above and beyond the practicals of the property and accomodation.

My dd was a similar student lodger at 17. She then moved into a mixed sex house-share aged 18.

It is the Landlord's house, they are entitled to have anyone they like visit or stay over. But I think it is good manners for him to keep them informed etc of his visits as he is doing.

No legal implications. 17 year olds are allowed to leave home and live wherever they like.

Childcare really isn't the right category for this question though.

The only think I will say is that if the landlord has taken in the students as part of a formal arrangement with an institution rather than just advertise on Spareroom then things might be different and the institution might have things in place that are not being adhered to.

Thanks for the advice. Sorry about putting in childcare, but didn't know which one to put it in. Yes, as I understand it, the student lodgers were come to through their university. It's just my friend had various concerns as the landlord is not actually in the country, so they are living there by themselves. I think he is being extremely responsible, but maybe worrying too much, or overthinking some of it.

It really depends on whether it is an official Homestay set-up (several vocational performing arts colleges have this set up) or whether it is simply a list of willing landlords and a private lodging arrangment.

I think at 17 they ar e pretty mature and capable.
I wouldn’t be over worried, other than offer then y phone number in case of any issues.
if they are renting and attending university they will have tutors and pastoral care available there.

Course he isn’t responsible for what they do

he has to inform he is coming at a time and date

but that’s it

this isn’t really childcare. Ask to get moved to property /landlord etx

Thanks you for the re-assurances. I know he is acting in an extremely professional manner, as always, and in this instance taking particular extra care. I'm glad that it appears there is no extra / added responsibility in this situation. How would I delete this thread.