UK Landlord Forum / Life

We have been approached by Church through letting agent who want to rent our house for Pastor.

Church would be paying rent/ tax and bills.

However letting agent said he is not sure how we can do credit search etc as they are charity and asked us to take a call if we want to rent them or not.

Would it be normal AST with them or there is something different if we renting to charitable organization.

Is there anything else that we need to be aware of renting to them ?

Any help will be greatly appreciated !

Hi you could rent directly to the pastor with the church as guarntor that way it makes it easier and legal should you experience any problems later on.

Do not trust the Church with money, genitals and property! Walk away... walk away if only because you (surely, being rational?) disagree with the concept of organised religion?

You can check out the charity's background and finances by going on to the Charity Commission website.I don't agree with your LA's comment about difficulty doing credit checks.He could check the pastor himself which could be useful,and/or the trustees.Not sure how you can protect your genitals though? Seriously, I am not put off by anyone's religion,it's none of my business,but agree with Hippogriff in so much as why take on an added complication if you have more straightforward applicants for the property.Also,what is the nature of their charity work? Is it something which could entail your place being used for other purposes (now now Hippogriff!) such as noisy gatherings,homeless hostel,addicts etc? They may be acting as a charity,but this is your business.

Be wary of adivce from a forum and do your own research.

1. It cannot be a standard AST.  An AST requires that the tenant be an individual(s).  So straight off the bat ... complication, unless you have the pastor as the tenant and the charity paying the money for and on his behalf.  It can be handled contractually that way.  The other alternate is a standard AST (pastor as tenant) with the charity as guarantor.

2. You will still need to do a background check on the pastor (to be compliant with the right to rent legislation) so your agent still needs to do that check.  A credit report on a charity is actually simpler as they have to register their accounts.  Your deed of guarantee needs to be water-tight (gas tight even).

3. Renting to a company/charity/council will mean in the event of dispute you are the 'little guy' and they can jolly well soldier on in all kinds of breach knowing they can out muscle you through red tape, policy, legal process.   

4. Unless you are getting something above the standard market applicant I would suggest not worth the risk.  [above standard market could include increased rent, better security, longer tenure etc.

Best of Luck

I religiously avoid letting to the Church.