Are bedsits illegal UK?
Bedsits were banned in 2008 by the Housing (Standards for Rented Houses) Regulations 2008, with a phase-out date of February 2013. The Health Service Executive and approved housing bodies can still offer equivalent accommodation, which is mostly used as emergency accommodation for the homeless.
Can two people live in a bedsit?
The multiple occupancy aspect of an HMO is based on there being more than one household, rather than more than one person, living in the property. For example, you can rent out two bedsits to two separate rent-paying lodgers before it is considered an HMO.
Do room renters have rights?
Access. The right to access certain areas of the home is determined by the lease. A tenant who is renting a room in a house has the right to a private room, though it may be difficult to prove and defend against a landlord who enters the room at will, being that the landlord lives in the same household.
What is the difference between a bedsit and a HMO?
To put it into layman’s terms, an HMO has at least three people living in the building each from different households and who share facilities such as the kitchen and bathroom. A bedsit is typically a self-contained unit (e.g. it may have a single electric ring or kettle) within a building.
Do you need planning permission for bedsits?
To subdivide a house into multiple units you must obtain planning permission. If your house is a listed building it is likely you will need listed building consent and you should contact your local planning authority for advice before you start work.
What is a self-contained bedsit?
A studio flat is a self-contained habitable space in which the living room, bedroom and kitchen facilities are all incorporated into one space, sometimes with partial walls or other forms of divider used to separate the different areas. The bathroom facilities are typically contained in a smaller room within the flat.
What is a self contained bedsit?
What is excluded tenancy?
A subtenant who shares accommodation with their landlord has an excluded tenancy. You have exclusive possession of the area that you pay rent for. For example, if you rent a room in the same house as your landlord, they cannot enter your room without your permission.
Is a bedsit an HMO?
Bedsits are just rooms in an HMO where the rooms are let on individual ASTs rather than the whole property being let on a single joint tenancy. Typically there’s a shared kitchen but no shared lounge. If the property is let by the room / has locks on the bedroom doors then you need a specialist HMO mortgage.
Do maisonettes need planning permission?
Flats and maisonettes do not fall within your permitted development rights, meaning you will have to seek planning permission for changes you want to make to your property. Not only this, most flats are owned through a leasehold. This means, depending on your project, you may also have to seek the freeholder’s consent.
Are there landlords who do not comply with the law?
The vast majority of tenancies work well. Sadly, there remains a small minority of criminal landlords who choose not to comply with the law, and whose tenants suffer as a result. There are also some tenants who do not uphold their side of the bargain.
How is a security deposit held by a landlord?
The security deposit remains the tenant’s property, but is held by the landlord for the term of the lease to ensure that the tenant pays the rent due, pays the utility bills, and returns the rented property in proper condition, as required by the lease. It is held as security as the name implies.
What is the relationship between landlord and tenant?
The relationship between landlord and tenant is essential to make this work, however. This guide aims to ensure both landlords and tenants know their rights and their responsibilities, and that the landlord-tenant relationship can be a professional and positive one.
What are the rights and responsibilities of a tenant?
As a tenant, you have certain rights and responsibilities while living in your rented home. You should ensure you look after the property, and report any problems to the landlord or letting agent. 6. End of your tenancy agreement Your fixed tenancy ends if you or your landlord gives notice following the correct legal process.