First time landlord - need advice re sharers

[MaryIngalls]

We are moving overseas soon owing to DH's job, and will need to let out our UK family home to cover the mortgage payments. It's a 4 bed mid-terrace in a family area, good location, close to station etc. We have received an offer above the asking price from 2 couples (unmarried I think) who are friends, and want to share the rent. The estate agent seems to think this is no problem at all, but we are a bit hesitant. Moreover they want the property fully furnished. As a landlord, I am not sure what happens should the couples/one of the couples have a falling out and one or more of them decide to move out. WWYD?

Thanks for all the inputs, will call the council on Monday. Assuming I have a choice, I'll go for the 2 brothers (with families) option, though rent will be lower in that case. Still need to think about the fire safety and furnished issue though.

Nancy - Every site I have read says the same thing about when you need a mandatory license: 3 or more storeys and/or five or more people. Then there is additional licensing which is up to your council.

Are you saying that is wrong?

The upholstered furniture law was brought in in 1988, though, and anything manufactured after that date and sold in the UK after that date HAS to conform. So unless you've been shipping in dodgy furniture from China or have inherited Granny's mouldering old sofa, you'll be absolutely fine. Even though IKEA isn't a UK company, they still have to conform to UK fire regs - and I would imagine there are similar regulations in Europe as well.

So the information quoted from the 2007 website was correct. I then made it clear I had checked with the council and I did not need a license under their own rules. That is correct as well.

When I said renting to 4 was fine I was referring to how the contract works as that was what the op asked.