DS (16) wants to move out

[GentleOliveFatball]

Hello, my 16 year old son wants to move out and rent a house with a friend (who is 18) They are both responsible and my son has been keen to move out for a while. (We get along fine, but our home is very small and now he's getting older I think he struggles with not having much of his own space/space for when friends visit.)
I trust both my son and his friend, they have spent months researching and saving money. Between them they can cover rent, food, bills etc for a small two bedroom semi-detached house, walking distance from where they both work.

However I'm worried that landlords will not rent to them because my son is only 16. I don't mind signing the tenancy agreement if I have to, however I don't know if I can since I won't be living there?

My son is still only looking, and I'm aware I must do more of my own research however any advice would be appreciated.
We live in Scotland by the way.
Thank you!

Why are you so obsessed with him getting a car and learning to drive? You keep going on about it. It's not actually very high on the list for a lot of young people these days, particularly those who live in cities.

It is rough for kids in Scotland
really? all of them?
@Artistbythewater you just continue to embarrass yourself, keep your ill informed opinions to the Home counties or wherever you are from.

Oh and "Sky TV" is hilarious. Do you actually know any young people? They don't watch TV.

I disagree with this idea

The people who lived in our house before us, their son moved in with his gf at 16... struggled with MH and committed suicide 2 years later.

I know this is extreme, but 16 is far too young.

Surely he should still be in education too?

If you read the thread your question will be answered.

@calmandcollected101
READ THE FULL THREAD

No-one should want an English education after the shitshow of ignorance, bigotry, and piss-poor reading comprehension on display in this thread 🤣.

@Stravaig
Well said 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

I wonder if there is a link between the people of Scotland seeming to be much happier to let 16 year olds leave home, get married etc and it having the highest mortality rate due to drug use in Europe?

Or perhaps it's the three centuries of subjugation, or the utterly vile neighbours?

I have teens exactly the same as op. We have a great relationship, we have a stable home set up here that is very easy going with expectations that they will apply themselves fully. We support everything they do, but I would draw a line at this.

I have some very bad memories of the kids having to fend for themselves at this age when I was young, and I think this thread is really triggering - because one of them died.
His parents really didn’t seem to care what was happening to him, too busy with their own lives. I have some awful memories in my student days of kids being left to languish in grotty hell holes without a family unit.
So I do feel strongly and it’s coming across on here probably. Op may be a loving parent with different rules and maybe expectations, or just doesn’t know of the pitfalls.

I guess it does fill me with horror as a parent because I saw the outcomes and none of them turned out well. As a result this scenario would be my worst nightmare. I can’t see how it works financially or emotionally for a child so young. Of course it sounds fun, but the reality will be very different.

🤣🤣🤣

The state of you, blaming your country's failings on things that happened 100s of years ago! Like you can't be responsible for anything yourselves.

This aggressive nationalism is a joke.

@Bigearringsbigsmile
You know if we're so awful why are England so desperate to cling on? maybe the resources they literally drain from us?? the funds that put into Westminster coffers?

Most leases do not allow subletting . Also it’s unlikely that his 18 year old mate will meet the affordability criteria for a 2 bed flat. As well as the employers references, landlord references, 3 months of bank statements etc.

The landlord would find out easily as they would be very suspicious of a rich 18 year Old renting a two bed flat for themselves and furnishing the second room as a bedroom , complete with someone else’s belongings.

And of course there would be two of them on the council tax register and bill.

And the Ops son would have no security, the mate could throw them out overnight if they fall out.

Blimey, this has escalated.

Let's leave politics out of it. TBH I think it is only Westminster that cares whether Scotland is independent or not.

@GentleOliveFatball When DD was living independently the extras she needed to pay out were:

Council tax (I'm not sure how it works in Scotland, but if it is the same as in England you need to check the band rate for CT)
Broadband/better data (she used Voxi for data in her last flat)
Gas
Electricity
Water rates
Food

She got her gas and electricity from Scottish Power as they provided the best deal.

Gosh I’m very surprised at this ! Especially as

• most landlords in this market charge 6 weeks rent as deposit not 4.
• he is renting a freehold flat, a tenure that rarely exists anywhere in Scotland.
• the “ long term let “ , can you explain what type of lease this is please ? it’s obviously not the PRS tenancy that is legal in Scotland.
• the figures you quote wont meet the affordability criteria of any decent landlord .

These FOUR things makes me think the landlord is conning your son, I’d be very worried. this sounds like a scam to me,

Id advise your son to go to Shelter of Citizens Advice with a copy of the advert and the lease and details of the letting agent and get their advice.

Here is the ad he sent me

He has just always been keen to grow up and be independent, our home is also small as I mentioned, he wants his own space. I trust him but am still concerned, which is why I posted this thread in the first place.
I am a single parent although we've always got by financially.

I see where you're coming from with this. It's definitely something I will have to discuss with him properly before any real decisions are made. Thank you.

That's good advice, thank you 💙

Op, can I ask who this older man is that he is moving in with? Do you know him? His family well?

Most landlords require a big deposit, proof of income, references and sometimes especially for younger people - guarantors. I agree with pp it sounds suspicious. My dd lives in Scotland and is an adult (20) and we have had to be her guarantor even though she is older, has a job and is very independent.

She also got involved with a racket initially when they were looking - as good rentals are so scarce. Some really quite strange men that were dodgy as hell, asked her how she could ‘convince’ them she was right for the flat… when dh called them to check out the details, they hung up on him.

You sound like a very kind mother and I am sorry if I got really cross earlier - it’s not with you just my past coming back to haunt me. I wish my parents had stepped in and protected me, from some of the awful things that happened to us may have been avoided.

Older man? they're 18& 16, perfectly normal ages to be pals.

@Artistbythewater
You didn't get cross earlier, you made quite nasty derogatory sweeping generalisations about Scotland and still continue with stupid comments older man it's his friend.

I don’t actually care what you think my friend, I was asking op. There is an age difference, it’s not huge but it exists. I would still want to know if they were both 16.

And Scottish laws are antiquated in this context. They are children. Not adults, and more legal protection should be offered, so they don’t find themselves homeless.

That's good to know; you're happy being an ignorant racist, ok 'friend'
Scotland isn't antiquated; it's the mummies treating their kids like toddlers until they're 30 that's at fault, 16 & 18 are NOT children.