Hello, wondering if anyone can think of any problem with this.
I have a 2 bed flat currently rented to 2 individuals. One is moving out, the other will be staying and will look for someone to take the other room.
She has asked if I can put a lock on her bedroom door.
I can’t see a problem and as it is an Edwardian house, the bedroom door has the original lock where the door knob is anyway…the key long lost unfortunately. I am thinking of removing the original lock and replacing with a similar style.
My main question to you all is whether putting a lock on the bedroom door changes anything at all? I would expect to hold a copy of the key for emergency purposes (and incase the tenant loses their copy).
I’ve read bits about insurance and mortgage etc, but nothing conclusive. Am I worrying about nothing?
Many thanks
If there are only two people( one per room) it’s not an HMO
It’s nothing to worry about
We have two beds and the bedroom doors have locks on
Thanks A_A. I thought the same so I’m glad you could confirm I was worrying about nothing. Appreciate the response.
If you’re letting the rooms individually to the tenants, rather than as a joint tenancy, then its a Council Tax HMO, (which has a different definition to a housing HMO). You wouldn’t need a licence, but you would be legally liable for the council tax and should probably increase the rent to pay it. Be careful not to state that you are collecting the council tax from the tenants though, as this is illegal.
Thanks for the additional info David. The flat is rented on a joint tenancy, so I am not liable for the countil tax. Many thanks.
As soon as one existing tenant moves out, the AST will end.