@Peter56
You aren’t obliged to allow new partner to move in and might want to find out a little bit about them first, whether or not they are added as a joint tenant responsible for paying the rent or as a permitted extra person living there. What are their circumstances (employment etc), where were they living before and how were they paying etc, do they smoke etc. Can they provide refs. Do they have their own (kids etc). All the same questions you’d ask a new tenant.
If it changes circumstances of current tenant if new partner is dependent on them could affect their own ability to pay. Equally could be a positive if new person wants to be a joint tenant if their combined income means better affordability
2 people = more wear n tear as well, something to consider for future rent levels.
If tenant asks for changes to TA they can be charged for that capped at 50 quid per change generally. Guidance says
“
Q. If a tenant has found a suitable replacement tenant, can I still charge more than £50 for a change of sharer fee?
It is unlikely that you could justify charging a fee above £50 in this circumstance. The costs involved in referencing the replacement tenant, re-issuing the tenancy agreement and protecting the tenancy deposit should be small. You could also ask
the tenant to obtain such a reference voluntarily (although you cannot require a tenant to do this as a condition of granting them a tenancy) to further reduce the costs incurred. There are several third-party organisations which will carry out professional referencing checks at a small cost – for example, a full tenant reference check can cost up to £30.
You should be able to demonstrate to a tenant that any fee charged above £50 is reasonable and provide evidence of your costs. Any costs that are not reasonable are a prohibited payment.”
Tenant Fees Act 2019: Guidance for landlords
and agents
Think You can’t generally charge for referencing (pretty sure not allowed for new tenancies) but like any other costs can allow for these when setting future rent. But small compared with peace of mind about whom you are entrusting to take care of your property and not trash the place
New person likely to need own set of keys you can perhaps charge for (unless you have ones from ex wife)
If part of a block/flats with shared entrance you need to tell other flat owners and freeholder/mgt Co that deals with communal areas if there is one, and /or building insurance.
Good idea to go through any house rules or requirements of the tenants (eg on cleaning or on ventilation/steps to avoid damp/mould, or not behaving anti socially to neighbours) with new occupant as well because in practice they need to follow same rules while living there.
Sorry if all v obvious
Good luck
