Tenant wants to go traveling for 3 months and let out his room?

Tenant wants to go traveling for 3 months and let out his room?

16:16 PM, 1st May 2016, About 8 years ago 2

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Hello, I’m a landlord due to the fact I’m working abroad so renting out my house whilst I’m not there! So not a professional!go travel

I have 3 single male tenants who have rented the house since September lat year. They have always seemed responsible, honest and have looked after the house well so I am happy.

One of them has advised that he has got a new job starting in September this year and he has decided to quit his current job in June. He would like to go off traveling for this period before returning and settling down to the new job.

He has spoken to the other 2 tenants (they are friends and all moved in together) who are ok with this. He emailed me yesterday to say that he would like to rent out his room for the 2/3 month period using a website called Spare Room and has asked me whether I would consider this Ok. He would continue to pay the rent through the managing agent so I wouldn’t notice any changes and the temporary tenant would pay him directly.

They seem good tenants so I am in principle Ok with this. I don’t want to cause problems for myself and am wondering about any possible pitfalls. e.g. What if the temporary tenant caused damage to the property, how would this be sorted out? What if the temporary tenant decided not to move out after the 2/3 months? Do I need some sort of contract with the new tenant?

If anyone has any advice I would greatly appreciate it.

Many thanks 🙂
Paul


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Comments

Rob Crawford

13:19 PM, 3rd May 2016, About 8 years ago

Hi Paul, firstly your letting agent needs to be included in this discussion. You are likely to have a no-subletting clause in the tenancy agreement in which case if you gave your blessing it would undermine the agent and their agreement.

I would advise the tenant to consult with the agent initially and then you can discuss the pro's and con's with the agent.

There are legal issues to be considered when subletting. The subletting tenant may not want to move out at the end of the period when your tenant wants to move back in. He could stay there for six months irrespective a an shorter term in the agreement that your tenant will have to put in place. You tenant would still be responsible to you for all damage, rent arrears in the short term etc.

Any agreement would be between the subletting tenant and your tenant.

There are many pit falls and I would advise against this.

Paul Cobbler

16:41 PM, 9th May 2016, About 8 years ago

Thanks for your comment Rob (I’ve been away myself for a few days)! That sounds like a sensible approach. I hadn’t thought of going via the letting agent...they’ve been pretty poor throughout! But you’ve made me realise it is the official route and it’s their job to sort it out.
Cheers
Paul

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