Tenant wants friend to stay

lynsalot

Hey guys

Just looking for some opinions on a situation. Tenant who moved in in June for 6 months lease. She's going away and leaving in October. Hasn't given exact date yet. I'm the landlord and I live in the 2 bed apt.

I need to advertise the room from next month onwards but her friend might be interested in taking it... which is great. Met the girl once. Seems nice enough. She asked me few weeks ago if it was ok if this friend stayed for a few days them sharing the room (Dbl bed) but said this as if she was moving in and my tenant hadn't left yet.

She texted me tonight as she's out and said it'll be around 11 days and the girl will pay towards the bills. I'm naturally a bit awkward with saying no but I'm wondering what the general opinion on this would be. The girl should know around this time if she can take the room or not.

I should add myself and my tenant get along famously. Very kind hearted girl and we're good friends. That being said I can be a bit of pushover and being a landlord doesn't come naturally to me.

I replied saying it was a bit longer than I expected and asked when it would be. My concerns are of course sharing the living room/television, showers in the morning (I have my own ensuite) I'd feel a bit awkward although I'm sure she's lovely and it'd be ok but she's a stranger to me. I am also concerned that if I'm showing the room it'll be really cramped and covered in clothes etc.

Any opinions on this?

Thanks

tenchi-fan

Your post doesn't make a lot of sense op.

lynsalot

Hi techi fan - in what way and i'll try explain better?
thanks

MistyCheese

OP, is the situation that you have a 2 bed apartment and rent out one of the rooms. Your current tenant is moving out and has recomended a friend of hers take on the room but you're unsure as this new person is a stranger?

Or do I have it wrong?

lynsalot

Hi guys i'm so sorry i'm probably talking in riddles. Yes misty you're right.

But... before that possibly happens my current tenant's friend has work up in Dublin and wants to stay in my tenants room with her for 11 days - at this point she still won't know whether she's taking the room after the current tenant leaves

Does that make more sense?

Edit: So the friend would be staying with us for 11 days in the 2 bed apartment. I am concerned about the 3 of us fitting around each other in terms of using the washing machine and tv and showers etc etc and also if i have to show the room to prospective tenants it'll more than likely seem cramped etc etc.

Just wondering what others thoughts on this would be

OS119

lynsalot wrote: »

Just wondering what others thoughts on this would be

difficult one - is 3 people in a 2 bed appt for the best part of two weeks going to be a bit of a squeeze, particulary if the 'crowded room' is going to be available for viewings? yes, obviously.

do you - and if the boot were on the other foot, your tenant - have the right not be to be 'squeezed' in your own home? yes, obviously.

on the other hand, if you say no to this girl staying she's pretty unlikely to want to take up the tenancy when the current girl leaves, and you might well find yourself off the current tenants christmas card list. one means taking a risk with regards to having a continuing revenue stream when the current tenant leaves, and the other may mean living in a crap atmosphere for the next 2 months with a resulting impact on your ability to get a new tenant.

if you think you'll be bowled over with decent applicants say no, if you think you might have a problem either getting a tenant or getting a tenant you want to live with you might want to suck it up.

me, i'd hedge it - talk to the current girl and explain your concerns and ask if the new girl will be going home for a weekend during the 11 day period, maybe see if they, and indeed all of you, could go out while the girl is around: 11 days of 3 people in a 2 bed appt where one goes away for a few days, and various combinations of people go out and have fun of an evening is very different to 3 people in a 2 bed appt for 11 days solid where you're all in every evening fighting over the telly.

SheRa

Ok having that for 11 days is inconvenient, but honestly I think that you'd be mad to turn her down. She seems nice and sound enough to you, and obiviously comes recommended by your soon to be former flatmate.
It is so hard to get nice people to share with that aren't half mad:).

niceoneted

is it a case the the tenants friend is trying out in a job or starting a new job.
She may be on a probationary period in the job or just not sure whether to take it so giving it two weeks.
Also she may be seeing if location is suited to her workplace if it's the case she is come for work.
I would give it a go. it's only 11 days and you may have a new tenant without going to the hassle of advertising, interviewing, showing the room. Also it will give you an idea if this person will be suited to living with you.

shellyboo

It seems like an easy answer to me - if she's taking the room, yes. If she's not, or can't decide, no. The reason? You neeed to keep showing the room until you get a tenant for definite. Two people = one big mess in a room you're trying to let.

dolphin city

no, don't give her the room.

Keep your business dealings as a landlord professional- you rented one room to one person - that is how it should stay. You say that you and the tenant get along famously - that's great - but under no circumstances should you go from a tenant relationship to a friendship - thats just looking for trouble.

Take it from me - I have seen it time and time again.

This tenant obviously things that it is fine to ask can a third person come in and share facilities and pay towards the bills - that's not on - she probably thinks that you are very easygoing and all is well - i.e.you have already passed the tenant professional relationship into a friendship.

You need to see things from your side - you are the owner - you know the place will be awkward with three people - its not built for three people - eleven days is quite a while - in fact you will probably end up resenting your tenant at the end of it.

This is your first test as a landlord and if you can't hack it now, then its time to give up.


Say you are sorry, but no. The place is not big enough and not suitable for a third party.

Be nice, be sweet, but do things to suit yourself.

and remember no matter how nice your tenant is....always remember that you are in a business together - not a cosy friendship.

DamoKen

dolphin city wrote: »

no, don't give her the room.

Keep your business dealings as a landlord professional- you rented one room to one person - that is how it should stay. You say that you and the tenant get along famously - that's great - but under no circumstances should you go from a tenant relationship to a friendship - thats just looking for trouble.

Take it from me - I have seen it time and time again.

This tenant obviously things that it is fine to ask can a third person come in and share facilities and pay towards the bills - that's not on - she probably thinks that you are very easygoing and all is well - i.e.you have already passed the tenant professional relationship into a friendship.

You need to see things from your side - you are the owner - you know the place will be awkward with three people - its not built for three people - eleven days is quite a while - in fact you will probably end up resenting your tenant at the end of it.

This is your first test as a landlord and if you can't hack it now, then its time to give up.


Say you are sorry, but no. The place is not big enough and not suitable for a third party.

Be nice, be sweet, but do things to suit yourself.

and remember no matter how nice your tenant is....always remember that you are in a business together - not a cosy friendship.

sorry don't agree with this at all. You say you have seen this time and time again but have you ever experienced it first hand?

OP I've got my own house and in the past rented the spare room to various tenants. At the height of the boom used to get quite a number of applicants, though for a while the market was flooded in my area so not as many interested.

However no matter whether I had one person viewing a week or 10 a day my criteria remained the same. Firstly and obviously were they employed and could afford the rent? Bit of a given really so my main priorty came down to personality.

That is did I like the person? Could I see myself getting on with them, going out for a drink? That type of thing.

The whole "Keep your business dealings as a landlord professional" is all well and good when you are renting out the property in total and on the one occasion I did that I kept things strictly business.

However if you are still living there a business relationship is totally unrealistic. It's your house, you want to be comfortable in your house so therefore getting on well with your tenant is really important.

If you get on well with the girls friend, and she is only staying 11 days with the possibility of taking over the tenancy I would let her stay.

Just make sure you're clear from the start, and would like to know before than if she'd like to take the room as otherwise you need to show it to prospective tenants so don't wish it cluttered. As long as you're both clear can't see a problem really.

Dark Phoenix

If you will be living in the apartment with the tenant its important that you get on. As this girl seems nice and is being recommended by a tenant who has given you no trouble so far why not offer a compromise i.e. whay not sit down and chat to the friend and tell her you are okay with her staying for the 11 days provided at the end of it she has a definite answer to whether or not she is stayin gin the room when the current tenant leaves. If she is then great if not then after the 11 days she will need to leave

lynsalot

Thanks for the responses guys. Few things:

My tenant is very reasonable. I've explained I found the 11 days a little longer than I expected. She said ok no problem she'd let the friend know, but wondered if it was only 7 would I mind. If I did just say and she'd tell her friend its a no. So I really think she's being reasonable about it.

My situation doesn't allow me to just give up renting out a room unfortunately, no matter how awkward I find it.

If she's staying in September then finding out at the end of her stay whether she'll take the room is a bit late for me... I need to replace the tenant asap to pay the other owner of the apartment (An ex... messy messy messy!!)

I've discussed it with colleagues in work. I think 7 days is fine. I am going to ask my tenant though what her plans are... will they be in the apt much? Is the friend going home for the weekend at all? I will explain my concerns and she's fairly reasonable so I think it'll go down well.

The girl herself seems nice. I've met her once and I know the circumstances she's in where she doesn't have job security as she's not been offered a contract yet. I presume these few hours she's been given will determine whether she's offered one or not.

If we can compromise... that at least the room will be spotless for a viewing maybe 2 nights out of the week it wouldn't bother me too much.

Its very difficult to get a decent tenant... I've found. Last one I had was a total psycho and a nightmare to live with to be honest... and I felt so awkward in my own home. Eventually got rid of her but not without a whole host of problems. So it would be great if I can get someone whose recommended (Tenant used to live with this girl) as I'd like to secure a 12 month deposit as I'm sick of having to get used to strangers living in my home.

Detour

11 days is not a long time. It'll fly in, and its hardly going to be a big deal regarding things like TV shows. The girl that's staying is hardly going to impose herself on what you watch on TV.

And the potential upside is that you might have a great new tenant moving in. Who knows what kind of person you'll end up with if you have to advertise.

Just put up with the tiny inconvenience, and things will hopefully work out fine. Dont make a mountain out of a molehill.

dolphin city

DamoKen wrote: »

sorry don't agree with this at all. You say you have seen this time and time again but have you ever experienced it first hand?

OP I've got my own house and in the past rented the spare room to various tenants. At the height of the boom used to get quite a number of applicants, though for a while the market was flooded in my area so not as many interested.

However no matter whether I had one person viewing a week or 10 a day my criteria remained the same. Firstly and obviously were they employed and could afford the rent? Bit of a given really so my main priorty came down to personality.

That is did I like the person? Could I see myself getting on with them, going out for a drink? That type of thing.

The whole "Keep your business dealings as a landlord professional" is all well and good when you are renting out the property in total and on the one occasion I did that I kept things strictly business.

However if you are still living there a business relationship is totally unrealistic. It's your house, you want to be comfortable in your house so therefore getting on well with your tenant is really important.

If you get on well with the girls friend, and she is only staying 11 days with the possibility of taking over the tenancy I would let her stay.

Just make sure you're clear from the start, and would like to know before than if she'd like to take the room as otherwise you need to show it to prospective tenants so don't wish it cluttered. As long as you're both clear can't see a problem really.

well yes I have, quite a few times both in this country and other countries.

two golden rules for renting.

do not live or rent with friend - when it does all go wrong you lose a housemate/tenant AND a friend.

do not get up close and personal friendshipwise with your tenant/housemate - remember it is a contract - keep the boundaries at all times.

words to live by when renting.