What to do about attic conversion in rented property.

niftthelean

We have an attic conversion in our 2 story house. While it is well finished and insulated, it was never aimed (or even possible) to meet the fire safety standards for habitable space. There is a bed up there and guests/family have stayed there when we were overcrowded (something that I suspect is pretty commonplace), but it is mainly just extra space.

For various reasons we are now going to be renting the property out (not ready to sell it as move may be temporary). I am fairly sure I can’t rent the attic as a bedroom (though I am suspicious some people do this to desperate tenants), but I am wondering what I need to do. I reckon I should remove the bed but do I need to prevent tenants from going up there at all? If I left the attic accessible and somebody went up there and a fire occurred… who’d be responsible? Has anyone experience of similar - did you have to put a lock on attic to prevent access ?

Thanks for any advice, I’ve never rented before.

RichardAnd

Can you just lock it and tell the tenant that it's off limits? Years ago, I was living in a shared house with three other lads. The owner kept one of the bedrooms locked as he used it for storage. Maybe you could do this with the attic room?

ted1

it storage or a home office, not a bed room. Just rent the house, with number of bedrooms in the ad. If the tenant puts a bed in there that is on them.

Ray Palmer

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122973259#Comment_122973259

not legally it isn't. The minute the landlord knows a room is being used inappropriately they are liable for allowing it continue

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974273#Comment_122974273

if a tenant breaches the terms of the lease they can be evicted.

niftthelean

Thanks, exactly the discussion I wanted. And yes I can install a door with a lock to isolate the attic. But apart from it’s being useful for storage, the water tank and MVHR system are up there. Pretty unlikely tenant would need access to these but I guess it might be useful in event of emergency etc.

How would inappropriately be defined? If tenant had a party and a guest wandered up there, collapsed and fell asleep, whose fault is that?

I suspect also the discussion when I try to get landlords insurance might be interesting. But I am sure I am not the first person to hit this issue - there must be other folk on here who have gone through similar situations.

ted1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122974891#Comment_122974891

you are over thinking this. It’s storage. What would happen if the same person fell asleep in a utility room, toilet, cloakroom, wtc

3DataModem

Remove the bed, don't cite it as a bedroom.

Or leave the bed, remove the mattress, storage boxes on bed, don't cite it as a bedroom.

You absolutely positively don't have to block access to it, the same way you don't have to block access to any attic or living space.

3DataModem

The landlord just needs to write to the tenant, make them aware, tell them they are in breach. Keep writing after each inspection. Just like if you spotted a mattress in the kitchen (as I did once, I had an apartment full of bed hoppers it turns out). And, ensure you have landlords insurance, which includes public liability.

Gumbo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058384986/what-to-do-about-attic-conversion-in-rented-property

You rent it as X bedrooms with attic conversion for home office,study etc.

once you are clear that the attic space is non habitable.

You won’t be there checking up on the tenants daily and will not be able to stop how they live in their home (your property).

Do not lock it up as suggested above.

niftthelean

Thanks for all the advice folks. Now I just need to get the right tenants 😄