4 students moving in 8th June?

Hi Paul,

I have put all the official government guidance we have in the notes above but can't see anything specific to individuals moving into an HMO.

We do not have students.
We prefer long term tenants.
In view of the current difficulties perhaps they are too much trouble?
Have you considered another part of the market?
The ROI may be less but you may sleep at night?

If the students are worried, they could take a covid19 test (now that it is allegedly open to all) and only move in if the test is negative.

We are living in difficult times and everyone is affected. As landlords we have a responsibility towards our tenants welfare and I would share their concerns about their safety. Imagine if it was my own child?
One months loss of rent in return for a clear conscience and tenants who are more likely to work with me rather than against me is a small price to pay.

We are being asked to stay alert and apply common sense. The vagaries of this imply trust in the nations ability to do the right thing from a well considered perspective. Worryingly the crowded beaches in recent days are evidence of the fallacy in this approach. Heaven forbid a second wave. As landlords we need to stay alert, apply common sense and do what is practical and safe. The instruction manuals are incomplete. Break even would be good from a financial perspective. Flexibility and understanding will be key. There are no easy answers, but empathy and understanding will go a long way, and there is a fantastic opportunity for landlords to increase their credibility with their current and prospective tenants. If you are leveraged avoid the voids. We were not recruited to serve the housing crisis, but by default have propped up housing supply and been punished harshly for doing so. Funny old world. Out of this crisis we could come out smelling of roses if we can survive the short term financially. If not well ……..we have to ask individually why we continue to try?
Humanity is being severely tested.
The government is being tested.
The scientists are being tested. e.t.c. on a global scale.
The fine line between foolishness and bravery is exposed acutely and this is normal. Fence sitters are understandable, as they aim to buy time and seek further knowledge which will come eventually, but those who choose alternative divergent paths will only seek to justify it to themselves, and in may cases, in ignorance, or at best with an educated guess. My hope is that they factor in the unknown science of this new viral threat.
It is far too easy to criticise, especially in retrospect. As this crisis unfolds we must be aware of the dangers, seek such guidance where it currently exists, and negotiate respective needs with as much flexibility as possible, when tenants approach us for a roof over their heads in an attempt to continue as "normal"
Above all stay safe, and one of the safest places remains at home. People need homes to be safe.

I am a Landlord renting student accommodation and wonder why you seem to be starting a new tenancy in June? However I am interested in this question as I may have the same problem but in August. The following paragraphs are quoted from the link below. This was published on 7th May 2020.

The government seems to be treating all members of an HMO as a single household, and therefore all guidance that relates to a single household in relation to social distancing and self-isolation in the context of residential households will apply to an HMO.

New tenants – Use of virtual viewings conducted remotely. There is presently no statutory prohibition restricting landlords from moving new tenants into an HMO. The government guidance does indicate that moving home should be delayed unless the move is unavoidable for contractual reasons and the parties are unable to reach an agreement to delay. However, persons with symptoms, self-isolating or shielding from the virus, should not move home.

https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/housing-law/315-housing-features/43577-covid-19-houses-in-multiple-occupation

Reply to the comment left by Yvonne Francis at 21/05/2020 - 15:05
We have been renting to students for 15 years now, and our reasoning for starting our tenancies on 1st June is so that they can move straight out of halls into the house and not having to take all their stuff back home. This has always been well received. Also as it is a full 12 month AST, the tenancy ends 31st May so reducing any Council Tax liabilities in their final year, should they decide to stay for 2 years or are in their final year.
Thank you very much for the link, as you say, you may have the same problem soon. My issue is not just the financial impact, but should this pandemic continue, what should be done for subsequent months?
I was just hoping to find some definitive advice to show they are able to move in together ideally from the government, to reassure them.

Reply to the comment left by Neil Patterson at 21/05/2020 - 09:07
Thanks Neil
Does not really answer the question, how do you read this link from Yvonne
https://www.localgovernmentlawyer.co.uk/housing-law/315-housing-features/43577-covid-19-houses-in-multiple-occupation

Reply to the comment left by Alison King at 21/05/2020 - 10:46
"As landlords we have a responsibility towards our tenant's welfare and I would share their concerns about their safety."
You are assuming that they are all appreciative of your efforts. Many tenants simply are not and that is the brutal reality of it.
I currently have a house share on a joint contract. Three of the tenants have moved out due to Covid19 but are still covering all overheads including the rent for another month. The fourth one is using Covid19 as an excuse to block access for maintenance.
The truth is that she has moved her boyfriend in who is living there totally rent free at the expense of everyone else. I'm not going into details here but I have put in a great deal of time, effort and some money into assisting this 26 year old child.

Reply to the comment left by Paul Marcantonio at 21/05/2020 - 17:21
Thanks for your reply. I was just wondering why you started on the 1st June because for my students that would three weeks before their term ended, and my students, I thought, had the shortest terms of every one (only eight weeks). That would mean they are paying for two places.

The reason why I think the link answers your question is because it mentions HMO's for the PURPOSE OF THE VIRUS is treated as one household, that is why Ian cannot find any mention of HMO's in the government guidelines. Put simply HMO's are treated the same as any other letting. I would like to know what Ian thinks too!