Telling landlord I'm having a baby??

[Birdy1991]

Hi guys,

My partner and I live in a one bedroom flat, we only moved in September 2019. The bedroom is actually fairly spacious for a one bedroom flat and can easily fit a cot and changing table etc., so we want to carry on living here for the time being especially as our tenancy isn't due to end until September (I'm due in July). My pregnancy was unplanned, otherwise we would probably have moved to a two bedroom flat in advance. But there you go.
We don't hear from our landlord that much, always pay rent on time, are quiet and never had any complaints in the block about us. Do I need to tell the landlord I'm expecting and if so, when should I do this? Our tenancy says nothing about children.

Any advice welcome, thanks x

Why would you?

You don't need to tell your landlord.

I would probably be inclined to tell them, otherwise you will have someone living in the property who is not named on the lease. The fact there is nothing about children in the agreement is positive - hopefully it means that they're not against you having children there.

@TeaForDays I thought it may be polite to let them know as it's their flat. I wasn't really sure if legally I'd have to tell them that's why I asked. If they came to inspect and saw a cot and a baby they might be a bit surprised.

@Sewinginscotland thanks. I think I will just to be sure... just nervous about wording it!

Only if there's a no children rule in your contract.

I would probably say something like 'as a courtesy, I would like to inform you that I am pregnant, and am due in July.'

You can say something about looking for a bigger place if you wish, and that you'll give them your x day's notice at whatever date. I would probably tell them in a month or two.

Tell them nothing!

I wouldn’t if I were you a lot of landlords don’t like children in their properties think they make too much noise and damage to the property and might evict you as a result, if continue as normal not say anything can’t put a baby on the tenancy that is ridiculous

@ahsan I didn’t think that would be legal? Although I suppose they can refuse to renew it.

Might come to conclusion you can’t pay rent as one of you will be a stay at home parent and might try claim housing benefit so might evict as a result. Your income will go down so might be a concern to the greedy landlord I’d keep your mouth shut and continue as normal. It’s good the landlord doesn’t bother you

Does your lease say that no one other than the named tenant(s) can live in the flat? If so, you need to tell them and get their permission to amend it ASAP.

@ahsan we are in a weird situation as neither of us work. I’m a student (going to defer my last year) and my partner is signed off long term sick (bad car accident) so it won’t change our income. But I get your point!

@Balhammom not sure on that level of detail actually. I’ll have a proper read through again

Just be careful birdy. Never know how these landlords react sometimes put up rent or don’t renew I’d keep it to yourself as like I said damage to property etc.

If you see on advertisements some put no children allowed couldn’t you apply for a council house. You would get a 1 bed but save you from moving around ad worrying about landlords. Think you’d be the perfect candidate for It

Congratulations!
We're in a rented three-bed and I'm expecting third baby (fiancé's first) in May. My boys are almost 10 and 12.5 yrs.
Told my Landlord who was genuinely thrilled for us. He even said he wasn't going to put up the rent for the next year because of our happy news and not to worry about the inspections etc.
I haven't mentioned the fact I'm having a home birth!

@Birdy1991 And your flat will be fine for baby. I'm an older mum (39) and this baby was planned after an unplanned pregnancy (pill failure) which sadly ended in miscarriage.
Baby won't have her own room but best place for baby is in with mummy and daddy anyway. Our space is also pretty limited but again, as long as baby is loved everything will be OK.
If you need any advice or just someone to chat to who has been there before then just shout x

@RainMinusBow - congrats! how long have you lived there though? We have only been here seven months. And don't know the LL very well, although the contact we have had has been positive. It is nice to be left alone though!

@ahsan I will consider it. Not sure what I'm going to do yet... we would be moving out before the baby is a year old anyway. just don't fancy moving house when I'm pregnant and during coronavirus lol

I’m a landlord and would be surprised if my tenant didn’t tell me, but only as we have such a good relationship and are in touch fairly regularly. I certainly wouldn’t be upset if she decided not to, or consider evicting her - which would not be legal anyway (unless there is some specific clause in your tenancy agreement)

Its none of their business. Keep paying the rent and keep them at arms length.

Speaking as a landlord... don’t tell them! Unless there’s anything about no children in your contract.

It depends on your contract.

My rentals stipulate x amount of people.

@Birdy1991 Thank you. We've been here one year next month. When we moved we weren't considering having a baby at all. We were planning to marry, but I lost my job so had to cancel the wedding. I then fell pregnant totally unplanned but lost the baby. Then because of my age and also partly because my fiancé hasn't got any bio children, we re-evaluated everything and decided to start trying. GP said to us not to worry about it taking a while - it was normal to take up to a year (I'm 39.5) - I fell pregnant first month of trying!!
Both OH and I work (him in adult social care, me in SEN school support) but both on pretty low wages. We won't be able to buy or rent a bigger house for the forseeable so will get by where we are now for at least another 18 months or so.
I did worry a lot at first about having the baby here as well as my two boys but it will be OK.
You will be fine, promise you x

If you don’t know the landlord well, don’t tell them

Forgiveness is more easily granted than permission.

‘Young couple has baby’ is not likely to shock your landlord if he dies an inspection. It’s not like ‘young couple moves 20 mates in’.

You’ll be fine

Enjoy your pregnancy 🌷

@AmelieTaylor - haha I like the young couple thing, we are 29 and 33 so I’ll take that 😋

Thanks - Judging by these comments I’m leaning towards maybe not telling them now... they might not carry out an inspection anyway and be none the wiser?!