I don’t understand why landlords feel it necessary to force new couples who want to co-habit into a legal relationship. Owner-occupiers wouldn’t dream of putting their new partner on the deeds when they move in and its not in the interest of most tenants either. Relationships end all the time, mostly amicably, but sometimes not. The last thing your tenant needs when they lose their boyfriend is to potentially lose their home too because they’re otherwise stuck with him as a joint tenant. I know that some lenders require all adult occupants to be tenants and I think they should be challenged on this. With insurance policies its easier - you just find a different insurer. In my view, best practice is to support you tenant by recognising the fragility of most relationships and just offer their partner permitted occupier status.
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