x
By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies to enhance your experience.

TODAY'S OTHER NEWS

Half of subletting cases without landlord’s consent

Almost half of tenants who sublet their property do so without their landlord’s consent, according to new findings from the National Landlords Association (NLA).

The findings come as the government recently announced proposals to introduce minimum room sizes in order to crack down on problems with private rented accommodation such as unauthorised subletting, which often results in overcrowded and cramped properties.

Of the 11% of tenants who say they have sublet all or part of their property before, just 5% did so with their landlord’s permission.

Advertisement

A quarter (26%) of tenants say they have approached their landlord about subletting but have had the request declined, and 63% say they have never asked their landlord about subletting their property.

Overall, the findings show that around a third (32%) of tenants have approached their landlord about subletting their property, with a fifth (22%) of requests being permitted by the landlord.

Carolyn Uphill, chairman of the NLA, said: “These findings indicate that subletting is not common in private rented homes, but worryingly that where it does happen, much of it takes place behind landlords’ backs, without their knowledge or permission.  

“This isn’t something apparently harmless, like putting your flat on AirBnB while you are on holiday. We are talking about individuals looking to deceive their landlord and maximise their personal gains at the expense of proper property management standards and the risk of others. It not only increases the cost of renting for the unwitting sub-tenants, it affects their rights and can reduce security of tenure.

“Subletting can also breach a landlord’s mortgage terms, the conditions attached to licenses granted for letting out shared homes, and invalidate existing insurance products – so they must be aware of the problems it presents.

“The NLA advises all landlords to insert a clause into new tenancy agreements that makes clear sub-letting is only allowed with the landlord’s permission, which should not be unreasonably withheld. This would reduce their exposure to a whole host of unnecessary risks, including hefty fines and even a prison sentence.”

Want to comment on this story? If so...if any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals on any basis, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.

Tags:

  • icon

    We had a tenant through a big agent in Coventry.. Paid on time every month. Was a family with two very young children. we later found out that two families, three children and half a dozen single people were sharing the house. Agent was absolutely useless and we kicked them out under the guise we were selling else the council may have interviened in stopping us. 5 years later and £40,000 worth of damage we are losing 12k a year rent. Builders are hard to come by when they see a total refurb including strip and replaster as this was rotten due to the amount of people breathing the in the house. House is now being configured for single people, shared facilities as I can't trust families again.

  • icon

    Subletting without the landlords written permission should be made a criminal offence and constitute grounds for an expedited eviction process.
    Its about the time that this Government demonstrated that is capable of taking a balanced view, instead of demonising landlords and punishing them at every opportunity.

icon

Please login to comment

MovePal MovePal MovePal
sign up