UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi

I'm a new member so please let me know if I make any mistakes

I have a small one bedroom flat in Bristol, suitable for one person or perhaps a couple.

I have a new tenant a young man , when I visited recently he told me his partner and child were there and he asked about them staying.
The tenancy agreement says no children so I reminded him of that and that the flat really wasn't suitable for children and the last tenants moved because they had a baby.

It has made me wonder though how and when can it be ascertained that the partner has moved in and how long a visit qualifies as living there ?

Thanks
Paul

It's a grey area. Some people - like in Lodging agreements - will try to define it. The fact is - while a property is being rented, the Tenant is able to have quiet enjoyment of the property and this amounts to (or includes) them having guests over... if the new person was paying a portion of the rent, and the bills etc., then it'd be obvious, but otherwise it's not going to be obvious. We would probably advise that any extra adult living in a property should ideally go through the same verification checks as the original Tenant did... credit, referencing etc.. You say the last Tenants moved on because of their child... problem here is that this Tenant is new and likely within their fixed term.

Hi

Thanks for your response.
Yes the tenant has just started a 6 months tenancy.

I think I would be in breach of my Bristol landlord licencing rules as it would probably be overcrowding - it's a very small flat- so I have backed up my talk with the tenant with and email outlined that  it wouldn't be allowed and no chldren was a condition of his tenancy agreement.

I'm a little concerned as it is a small flat and apart from it simply being unsuitable for a child there is a lot more wear and tear with two people and a young child.

I appreciate there is little I can do - except perhaps if still concerned - not renew the tenancy at the end of term.

Paul

Being cynical,I wonder if they have  been there since day one,and that he knew you would refuse if he asked in advance.It is also possible that they are using this cramped accommodation to get rehoused by the council.I hope not,because I understand they can drag it out until classed as homeless.It is not difficult to see if they are living there,all the signs of babies,clothes,toiletries would be hard to hide.

Hi

Yes - it is possible .. The tenancy is 6 months so we will see I hope I don't have trouble ending the tenancy if necessary.