Hi everyone, my partner's just landed a 2 year contract for a job in London so will have to leave our 2 bed flat, and instead of having to move and throw out all our stuff, wondered about getting someone in.

I'm totally lost as to how to go about this, but after hearing there's a 2 year waiting list for my building, I figured it'd be wiser to keep the furniture we've accrued as a couple over last 2 years, and let someone else benefit than put in storage/bin it.

I'm a student in my final year so will struggle to meet anything more than half the rent which is £525pcm, so is it reasonable to ask for 50/50 ie £262.50? I've done a bit of research and inner city centre (S1) seems to be around the £300 all in/ £280 exc bills side.

The rent would include use of kitchen, bathroom and living area, and a double bedroom, but unsure about the bills.

For the last year we've lived here it's worked out quite minimal but that's without proper readings, which I know I'd have to get before someone else moved in. So having divided the cost of water, average electric and tv license works out at £34 oer month, could I just stick that on top of rent value?

Also, as we're unsure of what my partner will be taking to London with him, there will be certain contents such as his huge tv that he anticipates taking with him, and there'll be our double bed that I'd be keeping in my potential 'room'.... (Means may need to buy stuff in) Would I need to state exactly what's potentially going to be in the room, and spend money replenishing items such as wardrobe that I'd be keeping for myself...

Can't really afford to reduce amount needed so would it be fair to say I could try get hold of a bed or they can bring their own, and likewise for wardrobe once I knew what they were wanting?

Umm, that's all I can think about for now, apart from some kind of tenancy agreement that kind of thing...

Would £300 with/without a few things seem reasonable, or should I shell out and restock the flat first...

Aaaargh, so complicated!

Thanks for taking the time to read this people, and any advice you've got would be really appreciated!

:D

Also wanted to add it's originally rented as unfurnished, everything has been put in it since...

Presumably if you are renting your flat you will be barred from subletting by your tenancy agreement anyway.

Read your contract, it will tell you if you can sublet, most will not allow it.

The landlord might be ok with it if you sign another agreement with you and the new tenant as joint tenants thus paying half the rent each.

............................

Thanks for your replies, it's a private housing association, who allow the two of us to live here under one name (said the paperwork was very extensive me being a student!) So technically I'm subletting as is, not after anything joint with legal rights with a lodger etc, as I have none myself (being unnamed) so Im hoping to get someone that can give/accept a certain level of trust as I won't be asking for a deposit as I don't think it fair on their part.

:D

So, you are not on the lease agreement, the named person (your partner) is moving out and you want to stay and sub let.
Please check with the Housing Association if:
1. You can continue living there when your partner leaves
2. You can be named on the lease agreement.
3. You can sub let

If you don't you may be breaking the terms of the lease and they have a right to evict you.

I appreciate the point, however although nothing immediately outly wrong, they also suggested I stay unnamed as it gets complicated with papers on their side too (not sure how), and I'd have to pay for them to do checks on myself which they implied I'd not pass, plus there's a 2yr waiting list to get in the building as a student so would be better to stay as is -plus cheaper than anything I've been looking at solo- I thought anyway.

I will give them a call though, as it seems the desire to keep uncomplicated is mutual so may be able to come to some sort of agreement.

.................

Very good thinking thanks for that one- hadn't even crossed my mind, even though they seem pretty chilled about names :D

Very good thinking thanks for that one- hadn't even crossed my mind, even though they seem pretty chilled about names :D

They may be chilled out now, but it could all go wrong and you could end up in a very sticky situation! It is worth checking out properly, by visiting a Citizens Advice Bureau, or speaking to Shelter.

Yea I will second get specialist advice before you speak to the housing association.

Most Housing Associations and Local authorities say that the tenant (the person named on the agreement) needs to reside in the property as their main or principal home and if this isnt the case they could argue that there isnt the normal tenancy agreement in force.

Due to demands etc for social housing them some Housing Associations and Councils will start eviction procedures if they find out the person named on the agreement isnt living there.

Of course there are always exceptions and some Housing Associations are better than others but that is why you need to get advice first because if you tell them openly he has left they may want their property back.

the landlord wants to keep your name off the agreement because as a student you are council tax exempt. As a single named person on a short hold agreement, they would be responsible for the council tax shortfall.

Be careful when getting a flatmate because they may become the sole counciltax contributor and have to pay around £90 a month, assuming your flat is band A.

As for the rent costs, £300 inc bills is a about right for your location. If you go ahead and rent the room out then wait to complete the furnishing, they may have a TV of their own they could bring! :)

Fantastic! The landlord's have said they are quite happy for me to have someone with me, provided my name's on the contract, which is a small admin fee, and I don't need to have them named etc, so all's good. Hoping to get another student in as council tax was sky high when we were both working, but otherwise seems like a green light, especially as it's only short-term measures.

So if you know anyone wanting to move in September.....