Can my tenants choose their own housemates?

Tenants interviewing other tenants property118

by Readers Question

9:29 AM, 17th March 2023, 3 years ago 3

Categories:

Landlord News Landlords Questions Lettings & Management

Hello, I have an HMO with some fantastic tenants (it will be a travesty if the continued anti-landlord policy campaign continues and I have to sell up and walk away, but I digress).

One is leaving and the remaining would like to choose the replacement.

I am happy to allow them to do a first pass and then vet the shortlist for references etc.

They want someone social etc but also a similar age.

Are they ok to be turning down applications for people that are too old or young?

Thank you,

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Tags: HMO, interview, landlord, tenants

Comments

Paul Essex Read Full Bio

Member Since June 2019 - Comments: 778

2:47 PM, 17th March 2023, About 3 years ago

It would be unwise to tell a prospective tenant that they were too old/ young / wrong gender / anything else that can be held against you. But you can still be selective just be very wary of stating criteria.

You cannot for example discriminate against someone on benefits but you can select tenants based on affordability i.e. percentage of wage required to cover rent.

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Reluctant Landlord

Member Since September 2018 - Comments: 3515 - Articles: 5

2:59 PM, 17th March 2023, About 3 years ago

All you can say is that you take on board their requests, but full referencing applies and you cant discriminate.

In HMO’s be wary – existing tenants may push to get a particular person in for a reason…..and may not be in your interests at all…

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Judith Wordsworth Read Full Bio

Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1442 - Articles: 1

8:54 AM, 18th March 2023, About 3 years ago

If you are making full reference checks And have a guarantor I cannot see a problem.

The remaining tenants will be the ones having to share communal space with the new person. Less problematic than you choosing someone who then turns out to be incompatible with the others

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