Surely I cannot be classed as a Landlord?

Surely I cannot be classed as a Landlord?

0:00 AM, 17th January 2025, About 22 hours ago 17

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Hi, My Tenants moved out a few months ago so I have a house standing empty I’m paying Council Tax on which is near my Son’s University.

My full-time student Son stays there a couple of nights a week but has asked to live in the property full-time (obviously rent-free). I would also help him out with bills.

I’m just thinking of doing this to help my Son out but obviously his Student Council Tax exemption would prove useful to myself and it makes sense to have someone living in the property to keep an eye on things and with maintenance.

As I would be basically just a Dad giving my Son a property to live in, FREE of charge, would I still be bound by the usual Landlord rules, regulations and Licensing i.e providing Gas and Electricity Certs and registering for a license scheme or have to sign on to a Landlord’s Register?

If I’m not charging anything surely I cannot be classed as a Landlord?

Many thanks

Godfrey


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JaSam

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15:16 PM, 17th January 2025, About 7 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Jo Westlake at 17/01/2025 - 14:46
Disagree with the sponging comment if the child is studying full time. Most students are means tested against their parents income so would get a lower maintenance loan if their parents earn well therefore parents are expected to support their children financially during study. (Google “The hidden parental contribution”). The OP would be doing exactly that but just in a different way to most.

Graham Bowcock

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16:48 PM, 17th January 2025, About 5 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Billy Gunn at 17/01/2025 - 15:14
Any mention of a licence in respect of occupying residential property must be taken with significant caution. Licences tend to be used where property is shared, not where there is exclusive possession. There is case law on family occupation (where the "licence" argument did not work).

One for the lawyers if the plan is to progress down this route.

Peter Merrick

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17:18 PM, 17th January 2025, About 5 hours ago

Surely you just need to phone your local council housing department and ask them for their take on it?

JaSam

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17:41 PM, 17th January 2025, About 4 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Peter Merrick at 17/01/2025 - 17:18
And the answer will be wait until the bailiffs arrive 🙂

Billy Gunn

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18:59 PM, 17th January 2025, About 3 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by Graham Bowcock at 17/01/2025 - 16:48
Are you getting confused with selective licensing vs licence to occupy?

As long as the child is paying no rent, neither parent or child wish to enter a landlord and tenant relationship, and as long as the parent is allowed to enter the property then it is a licence to occupy

I personally know this as I live at my mother's 2nd property rent free on my own.

Peter Merrick

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19:23 PM, 17th January 2025, About 3 hours ago

Reply to the comment left by JaSam at 17/01/2025 - 17:41
Well, hopefully they will actually listen to the question rather than assume that someone is being evicted ...

Judith Wordsworth

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21:23 PM, 17th January 2025, About 47 minutes ago

Student exemption for Council tax is not anything to do with paying or not paying rent.

An owner occupier with full time student status doesn't pay Council tax as exempted.

If not charging full market rent to your son you cannot claim any allowable expenses for the property.

Only way round is to gift the rent money to your son and he pays the going rate for the property then you claim allowable expenses. Though someone more knowledgeable re taxation may have a better way, lol

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