UK Landlord Forum / Life

I live in a flat and rent out spare bedrooms. There are four of us in the flat.There has been an extremely good tenant (licencee) there for nearly two years. For reasons unexplained, I looked out of my window as she was leaving for work and saw two people leave. I thought it was a one off. I looked again some days later, and sure enough, two people left the house, not one.  The house is an HMO. With 5 people it becomes a Large HMO, there are security risks, and who knows who this person is. What can I do to amicably sort this out? Whats my move?

Regardless of the HMO implications,you- and the others for that matter- have a right to know if someone else has moved in without being checked.I would email or text,and ask her to meet with you to explain what is going on.She may have been a good tenant,but this sounds like an abuse of the house rules.

Thanks, Writing the first post prompted me to do exactly what you suggested. She phoned back and we had an amicable chat. She admitted there was someone and said it was very temporary. Its not acceptable and we are going to chat fully tonight. Thanks again, I think it was worth putting on the forum in case anyone else gets this problem!

"very temporary" can obviously be defined and bounded and, even, agreed... if you're in the mood. Could (probably is) just a friend helping-out a friend. We all need those. No-one needs to worry about HMO regulations in that respect... it'll be over and done with before you know it (hopefully).

"For reasons unexplained" is obviously less easily defined.

Generally where you've got a good, long-term tenant I'd recommend allowing guests but not paying guests.  As soon as they're contributing to the rent, they become subtenants and that's a problem; as soon as they're giving your address as their home, they're no longer guests and that's a problem.  But if they're staying for a few nights with a friend, what of it?

Thanks for the responses. Ive had a word and all is well. There are other rooms let in the flat and security is a possible problem. Im quite ok with the inmates having occasional gjuests., they wouldnt be there if they were untrustworthy (all checked)