Moving abroad for work – Can I still continue to keep renting to two lodgers?

Reply to the comment left by John Dace at 03/08/2023 – 20:48
Well said John Dace. The differing view points on this site makes me think if I’m doing something I shouldn’t be as so many conflicting views and absolutely agree with your comments.

A lodger shares your home with you and can\’t do that if you don\’t actually live there. (Your residence will be where you live and work, not in the house you leave behind).
However, are you certain you have lodgers now? Do they have exclusive use of their own room or do you retain the right to enter it or to change their room if you want to? You may already have tenants – each having a tenancy in their own room? If that\’s the case I don\’t see why that arrangement couldn\’t continue, with them having the tenancy of their own room and you retaining your room and the rest is shared.

Another however – if you have two tenants and you live there (and maybe even if you retain a room there for your own use occasionally) then you are possibly running a HMO so that has it\’s own implications.

Reply to the comment left by Debra at 05/08/2023 – 10:27
I beg to differ Debra on your residence is where you work. If you have a permit to work abroad this does not qualify for residence.

Reply to the comment left by RoseD at 05/08/2023 – 14:15I said live and work, not just work, and it depends upon other matters such as how long you spend there compared to the other place you are trying to claim as home. If you spend more time in the country you work in and maintain a home there then that’s your principal residence as far as the tax offices are concerned.
Some say if you return to the ex home with the lodgers for at least one night per month then you can still claim it’s your home but I wouldn’t want to argue that in a court of law.

Reply to the comment left by Debra at 05/08/2023 – 17:17
I can only comment from my experience. The work permit is for a temporary period of time so it’s expected your residence will also be temporary. Beyond that you apply for a Visa which changes the dynamics of residence. I find it extremely odd also that you mention the court system. For what exactly?

Reply to the comment left by RoseD at 06/08/2023 – 13:30Depends how long the work permit is for. Im in the EU and more than three months means residency and working needs a visa anyway, if you’re British/a third country national.
I refer to court because if one has any problems with the ‘lodgers’ and want them to leave and they refuse and claim to be tenants rather than licensees, that’s where it would end up.
Come to think of it – it could also be mortgage fraud so the lender could recall the mortgage and repossess so that could end up in court too.
Insurance could be invalidated.
All sorts of problems could ensue if someone continues to claim they have lodgers rather than tenants so in my view it’s not worth the risk taking the advice you’d like to be right from here: best thing is to consult a specialist solicitor and supply them with all the relevant details,