UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi, I'm in need of your help. I've had social housing approach me to ask if I would let my property to two of their learning disabilitiy clients they have in their care. I've not ever thought of letting my property out this way but wondering if anyone has or can help point me in the right direction please. I've only had this property a couple of years and have only rented it out to a family.
It's a 4 bed semi detached house had lots of adaptions to it, extended with lots of land drive etc. Downstairs bedroom with a large wet room  and full bathroom upstairs. With another 3 bedrooms upstairs.
Thanks in advance 😊

Are they willing to pay market rent (and if they are you could exploit with strict rent increases in line with rpi/cpi without hassle) and provide a deposit? Seem like a nice, safe, long term tenant.

I like the long-term nature of any Council-related Tenant. But they can be fraught with risk. Are they offering a rent and maintenance agreement to you? That might be interesting. I think it comes down to market rates as well... and I would check on the potentially transitory nature of the potential Tenants, just in case. Then I would check your Insurance policy - it often excludes various parties from renting your property... sometimes parties you might not expect.

Hi, Thanks for your reply Riptde, Yes I've told them I would need the going rate for rent and would also need a deposit. They said it wouldn't be a problem 😊. Is there anything else do you think i would need to do?

Hi Thanks for your reply Hippogriff, I was thinking of adapting the tenancy agreement to co inside with maintenance maybe even adding a maintenance charger it and see what they say. I have also said I would also need to make sure the tenants are maybe only supported by 1-1 support careers (as more would indicate the tenant having behaviours that protentianly would prove a big risk) I will check my insurance I currently have and check prices, options.available. Many Thanks. If you can think of anything else that maybe of help then please message me. Many Thanks 😊

One of my places has been rented for over five years to a charity that houses vulnerable adults,with support from a daily carer.I did not choose this initially,the agent old me it was a company letting,which I have had a few times.I was concerned,as the owner of the adjoining property had let to Social Services some years back.This tenant was described as quiet and placid to the landlord,but turned out to be psychotic,attacked my tenant,leaving me with a void for several months while various parties refused responsibility.

However,the tenant placed in my property has just moved out after five years,and it has worked very well.The level of cleanliness was not great,but they cleaned and painted after he left recently,and immediately moved in an older woman.I hope it goes well with her,but if not they have a list of clients waiting to be housed. You should get the name of a social worker (not carer) who has your tenant on their list,so you can communicate directly if it comes to it.The typical clients they house have conditions like autism,extreme OCD,learning difficulties,and some will have been through the care system as children,unable to cope outside.It is worth giving it a try,with safeguards in place.
They are not allowed to tell you the person's condition/illness,but you can insist in writing that you do not take anyone who has been subject to sectioning under the metal health act,apart from that used for initial assessment of needs.Your rent should get paid on time,and   

I wouldn't touch them unless I had no other alternative, you might get lucky and get a quiet steady going couple or they could be trying to offload some real nightmares onto you. Then there is the issue of possible rent arrears.

Unlike DSS tenants,I don't think there is any chance that they would be put in charge of their own rent money.That said,I would have run a mile had I known the nature of the letting.If the new lady does not work out,I will reconsider for sure.It all comes down to the level of "care" they get.The psychotic man who  I mentioned was supposed to get daily 20 minute visits from a social worker,and blood tests to check he was taking his meds.They were extremely negligent.No one cared about my tenant or my empty house.Only when he stabbed a stranger and set fire to a car was he locked away.People with simple learning difficulties would probably be safe,but agree that you may be better  off not risking the hassle.