Is it ok for friends/relatives to stay with a tenant for a month?

Is it ok for friends/relatives to stay with a tenant for a month?

0:04 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago 24

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Hello, I have a single woman tenant who works full time and has been in the property for about eight months, there have never been any issues and always paid the rent on time and in full. The property is a three-bedroom maisonette flat.

My question is: She contacted me on Friday afternoon to ask if it was OK to allow friends/relatives to stay with her for about a month as she is having health issues and needs regular visits to the hospital 20 miles away and doesn’t drive. I said I thought that would be OK to have them stay. She said four people would be staying in the property.

Now I know I should have asked at the time but it wasn’t until after I put the phone down I thought are they related or 4 separate non-related people? And if so is it legal to have them stay?

This is not an HMO property and I don’t want the property to be overcrowded. Should I say to her it’s not possible to have four non-related people stay as it’s an overcrowding issue?

Any advice from Property118 readers would be welcome.

Thank you,

Denrep


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GlanACC

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7:57 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago

I short YES, tenant is entitled to quiete enjoyment of the property and this includes friends and family staying. You cant really stop her

Puzzler

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8:44 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago

Sounds like it could be a more long term arrangement, I would have them put on as permitted occupiers

Mike T

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10:24 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Puzzler at 16/05/2023 - 08:44
I’m not sure that’s a good idea as it may imply accepting them as permanent ‘occupiers’.
I think that Derek’s response is the way to go.

Graham Bowcock

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10:32 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago

I'm with Derek. In practice there's not a lot you can do about it. At least she ahs asked you!

You could drop her a line to confirm that you do not object to friends/relatives staying with her during her illness - basically dress it up to respond positively but implying some terms (politely). You could mention overcrowding.

I can't think that reference to Permitted Occupiers is helpful. This is just temporary.

LordOf TheManor

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10:35 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago

Sorry to sound a bit cynical, but why did your single tenant want to rent a 3-bed property in the first place?

RoseD

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11:14 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago

I'm with Graham. Confirming agreement in writing at least looks official even if it doesn't help much. Always potential for a 'sub let' where you have more bedrooms than tenants and as a landlord you have to think that through.

GlanACC

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11:27 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by RoseD at 16/05/2023 - 11:14Can't see the point, your written agreement with the tenant already states the terms and conditions of the tenancy. If the tenant want to fill the propertry with friends and family for even longer than 1 month you cant stop her. My tenancy agreements state people who can permanently live in the property, you cant change that without the tenants agreement. I had a tenant whos family came from Canada and stayed 3 months - nothing I could do about it (even if I wanted to).

Puzzler

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11:40 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago

And if it turns out to be longer term? You would have a subletting situation. Agreed you can't stop it but I would be reluctant to allow four more people to move in (four adults or a family?) without documentation but if it's four people on rotation then that's different

Graham Bowcock

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11:56 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Derek STOBBS at 16/05/2023 - 11:27
I agree up to a point, but a short note as a matter of courtesy would go down well (especially if the tenant is ill) and reaffirm what they signed up to. Most tenants don't realise their exact tenancy terms.

Also agree you can't really stop them, but a friendly note may help the relationship. Takes away the element of excuses whjen things go wrong.

Sometimes we do nothing and turn a blind eye; it actually depends on the tenant as much as anything.

RoseD

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11:56 AM, 16th May 2023, About 2 years ago

Reply to the comment left by Derek STOBBS at 16/05/2023 - 11:27Yes I don't disagree Derek. Just responding as to what I would do although I realise it's pointless if the 'guests' stay longer. As someone has already said always potential for long terms stays when surplus bedrooms plus sub letting situation.

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