Short term lets – Landlords Question

Short term lets – Landlords Question

14:15 PM, 2nd July 2013, About 11 years ago 3

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Any idea how to organise a short let of about four months?

We have bought a buy to let house for our church to use for it’s workers. However it has all taken a lot longer than we had hoped, so they have had to take on a 6 month let. This means we will be left with an empty house of 4 months.

We would like to put someone in on a low rent so that they can live there and pay us a small amount, but also be around while the decorating etc. is done.

However, we are worried that this is legally dodgy and could open us up for problems.

Can anyone give us information on this?

Thanks

“Letting Mum”

Short term lets


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Comments

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

14:22 PM, 2nd July 2013, About 11 years ago

Be very careful here. If the property is the only "home" of the person you allow to live in it you will not be able to apply for a possession order until the end of month 6. You could serve a section 21 notice shortly after they move in but 6 months is still the minimum. if they decide to wait for possession to be granted by a judge and for baliffs to throw them out you could easily be stuck with your tenants for 9 months plus!

If you live in the property yourself you will be able to rent to a lodger and they are much easier to get out.

The other option is to make the property a short term holiday let. However, if the person you are renting to doesn't have another home this will default to being an assured shorthold tenancy, whether you let under license or not, so far as I know.

I hope that helps.

if in doubt please seek professional advice.

Eric Smith

17:35 PM, 3rd July 2013, About 11 years ago

Give them a 6 month tenancy and allow them to break the contract. You would have to be sure they would tho. There is always someone looking for a short tenancy. Use your contacts to find someone if possible. Much more likely to be reliable.

On a number of occasions I have let to people between houses for short periods. I have always asked and got 3 months rent in advance and they have always gone. Often before the three months was up.
Just in case don't forget to serve your section 21 notice after signing the tenancy agreement. Do it a few minutes after signing the tenancy and put the time on both document .

andrew townshend

18:02 PM, 3rd July 2013, About 11 years ago

i have let short term but only to people i know, would be very unwise otherwise.

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