Multiple tenants on a single AST

Multiple tenants on a single AST

9:50 AM, 22nd June 2015, About 9 years ago 4

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I have a young family interested in renting a property, 2 brothers and 2 sisters. Multiple tenants on a single AST

After the death of their father they decided to move house and find a new property.

They are all working. Local council, local supermarket, one brother works for a builder, one sister at a children’s nursery.

My question is would it be better to have each individual that will be living at the property to sign the AST or just to have one?

If the they need to be evicted at some point what potential issues are there that should be considered?

Should one person be the lead tenant or should they all sign?

Any thoughts or advice much appreciated.

Thanks

Rick


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Comments

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

9:52 AM, 22nd June 2015, About 9 years ago

Hi Rick

Subject to referencing I'd put them all onto one AST and give the property to LettingSupermarket.com to manage (cost 4% + VAT inclusive) - see >>> http://www.property118.com/letting-supermarket-full-management/68829/

I would also purchase Rent Guarantee Insurance as necessary.
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Fed Up Landlord

17:26 PM, 22nd June 2015, About 9 years ago

I agree with Mark. Do not let anyone in to the property unless they have been referenced (unless they are children of the tenant under 18 years) This will also be a qualifying criteria for rent insurance guarantee which is well worth it. If you don't put them on and get RIG then the policy will only evict the tenants on the AST and not any others you have allowed in by default.

Jay James

17:50 PM, 22nd June 2015, About 9 years ago

Is this a case of 4 adult siblings deciding to live together?

Were they previously living together?

Who else is proposing to live in the new house?

Robert M

9:29 AM, 27th June 2015, About 9 years ago

Sounds like a great position to be in, four working adults as joint tenants of one property means they would all be equally and severally liable so if one stopped paying then the others would have to pay. If one lost their job, then they could claim Housing Benefit for their 25% share of the rent while the other three continued to pay from their wages. Also, as they are a family unit used to living together, they are more likely to stay as long-term tenants. Of course, if one did decide to leave (and gave notice), it would end the tenancy for all of them so you then have the opportunity to decide whether to re-let to the remaining three or look for new tenants instead.

Even if the worst came to the worst and you had to evict them, and sue them for rent arrears or damage, you would have four people to enforce it against, instead of the usual one person, so you have 4 x the chance of getting the money back that you are owed.

Of course carry out the usual tenant checks before letting to them, and take out RGI if you wish, but it seems to me to be a good potential let.

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