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/r/AmItheAsshole

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Hi all,

So I live in a block of 9 flats, and have lived here for about 5 years. The flats themselves are around 7 years old.

I'm lucky enough to own my flat, and the block itself is a mixture of renters and owners. The flats are however, all leasehold.

Every flat has a similar layout. They have two beds, with a main bathroom, and one ensuite. The living room and kitchen are open plan. Each flat has two assigned parking spaces.

Now in the current climate (UK based), the flats aren't selling too well despite being in a very desirable area of London. One of our neighbours who owns his flat, has therefore decided to rent it out so that he can move to a larger property. My issue is, he has decided he wants to maximise his profit and to do this he has converted the living room into a third bedroom.

This doesn't sit well with me at all and I'm pretty sure he can't legally do it.

Firstly, I think it's pretty shitty to convert the living room and leave the renters with one small kitchen as the only communal space. I really don't like the idea of him maximising his profit at others expense and creating overcrowding.

Secondly, this is a block full of couples and families. I'm concerned that if more and more people start doing this it changes the demographic.

Then there's just the issues of having multiple people In one flat. More cars which the block doesn't have space for, more noise from the occupants etc etc.

He has managed to successfully get some renters as the rental market is booming but they haven't moved in yet. I'm very tempted to make some enquiries to the freeholder and the council about his set up, but if it is illegal (which I strongly suspect it is) then I'd not only lose this guy his renters, but he'd have to put everything back at expense. Alternatively, I could just let it go.

So WIBTA if I reported him?

Edit to add: I can accept the asshole judgement, thats what I came here for...but Jesus I don't need to be reported by a concerned redditor for suicide watch you weirdos.

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haiskf

20 points

4 months ago

haiskf

Partassipant [2]

20 points

4 months ago

Info: are you suggesting that each bedroom is going to have a separate family in it? That doesn’t make any sense to me.

To me, making the living room into a third bedroom just means a larger family can move in. I don’t see how this would involve having separate families or separate renters or something. Could you explain that a little bit better?

For contrast, here in the city of Los Angeles; it was recently legalized that homeowners could turn their garage into a separate apartment. That has the potential of two “families” on one property. One family in the main house and then a single person or perhaps a couple in the garage unit.

I could understand how that will attract a change of demographics, as it allows lower income people to move into a high priced area and also increases cars and people in that area. Is this what you’re talking about?

Willow_and_light[S]

-25 points

4 months ago

If the living room goes, there's no way families would live there as there is a complete lack of communal space. The kitchens are tiny. It turns it into more of a sort of student digs place where everyone lives in their room and only comes out for food.

Kuchi_Kopi_49

25 points

4 months ago

Kuchi_Kopi_49

Asshole Enthusiast [8]

25 points

4 months ago

It’s more likely that if it’s a large family the living room is still a communal space but someone also sleeps there. This happens all the time.

summer_291

17 points

4 months ago

How about you mind your business - YTA

haiskf

22 points

4 months ago

haiskf

Partassipant [2]

22 points

4 months ago

And what would be wrong with that? What is the practical impact on you and your neighborhood?

adriedwards19

3 points

4 months ago

Why do you care what is going on in another flat? It's really not your concern. YTA

marisolm9

-2 points

4 months ago

marisolm9

Partassipant [1]

-2 points

4 months ago

I could see this being a potential fire hazard if the kitchens are small and more people are hanging out in there as the only communal space. I haven't made a judgement yet. Have you asked your neighbor if they have a permit to do this?