Living in someones home for free ?
Discussion
Hi Gents,
Just had this happen all this morning so I'm just taking it in myself.
Basically a friend of my misses has just contacted us asking if we would like to live in her parents house rent free. Her friend currently lives in France and her parents have just gone over there, but with a house in the UK that needs looking after. Last year the heating system had froze so they need some occupants keep it going through winter and maybe longer. They explained that they wouldn't have the time or energy to rent it out as it would need a revamp and being abroad makes it more difficult.
We currently rent and find saving for a mortgage impossible (both of us are early 20's). So this seems an opportunity not to miss. We'd only pay bills (which won't harm our credit rating either). They seem a lovely old couple who appear open minded about it, however they both have terminal illness' so they might not be around for too long.
The place is a great size four bedrooms, garage, biggish garden, but very dated inside old bathroom and decor. Not anywhere as nice as current place but could live with it. Perhaps they would let us give it a lick of paint. In two years we could save enough for a deposit on our first house. Plus our current rental contract ends today funny enough.
They don't know how long this might be for, perhaps a year maybe two or longer. They and us both know we are helping each other out, so should we go for it? Should we get an agreement in place to cover ourselves in case circumstances change and they pass away? Should we be celebrating or is there anything I haven't considered, or need to be aware of?
Thanks
Just had this happen all this morning so I'm just taking it in myself.
Basically a friend of my misses has just contacted us asking if we would like to live in her parents house rent free. Her friend currently lives in France and her parents have just gone over there, but with a house in the UK that needs looking after. Last year the heating system had froze so they need some occupants keep it going through winter and maybe longer. They explained that they wouldn't have the time or energy to rent it out as it would need a revamp and being abroad makes it more difficult.
We currently rent and find saving for a mortgage impossible (both of us are early 20's). So this seems an opportunity not to miss. We'd only pay bills (which won't harm our credit rating either). They seem a lovely old couple who appear open minded about it, however they both have terminal illness' so they might not be around for too long.
The place is a great size four bedrooms, garage, biggish garden, but very dated inside old bathroom and decor. Not anywhere as nice as current place but could live with it. Perhaps they would let us give it a lick of paint. In two years we could save enough for a deposit on our first house. Plus our current rental contract ends today funny enough.
They don't know how long this might be for, perhaps a year maybe two or longer. They and us both know we are helping each other out, so should we go for it? Should we get an agreement in place to cover ourselves in case circumstances change and they pass away? Should we be celebrating or is there anything I haven't considered, or need to be aware of?
Thanks
Edited by PiloteHuitNeuf on Sunday 16th October 18:57
Edited by PiloteHuitNeuf on Sunday 16th October 19:00
So long as their illness's aren't caused by the house being on a massive Radon source, then the risk would appear to be all theirs and you'd be daft not to take them up on it!
Make sure the insurance cover is adequate for yours & their belongings and the building cover doesn't lapse while you are there just in case something unfortunate happens.
Good luck & happy days!
Make sure the insurance cover is adequate for yours & their belongings and the building cover doesn't lapse while you are there just in case something unfortunate happens.
Good luck & happy days!
House sitting seems to be a fairly common arrangement - the house sitter(s) get free accommodation in return for maintaining the property in good condition ready for the return of the owner(s).
It's probably best if you both get a legal agreement drawn up to cover the rights and responsibilities of each party.
It's probably best if you both get a legal agreement drawn up to cover the rights and responsibilities of each party.
Insure it and yourself to the hilt, just in case.
Leave it in a better condition than you found it.
Don't look a gift hourse in the mouth - same lifestyle, still pay the rent but have it go to the savings fund. It is unlikely to last forever so make hay while the sun shines and all that.
(And, just in case, photograph, inventory and document everything. Like a circuit breaker, you should never need it. But if you do, you'll really, really want it!)
Leave it in a better condition than you found it.
Don't look a gift hourse in the mouth - same lifestyle, still pay the rent but have it go to the savings fund. It is unlikely to last forever so make hay while the sun shines and all that.
(And, just in case, photograph, inventory and document everything. Like a circuit breaker, you should never need it. But if you do, you'll really, really want it!)
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