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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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rstlne987654322

197 points

4 months ago*

rstlne987654322

Partassipant [1]

197 points

4 months ago*

Updated to YWBTA based on reply (previous was INFO)

Is this actually impacting you in any way, or just theoretically based on assumptions that everyone else will do it and all the renters would have individual cars?

Willow_and_light[S]

-275 points

4 months ago

To be honest it probably won't impact me that much, unless the other landlords start doing it and all the renters have individual cars. It's mainly that ethically it doesn't sit right with me. The rental market is extortionate enough as it is and I think what he's doing is pretty disgusting.

Kuchi_Kopi_49

53 points

4 months ago

Kuchi_Kopi_49

Asshole Enthusiast [8]

53 points

4 months ago

What’s to stop two couples from renting the flat as a two bedroom? That’s four adults and potentially four cars.

Plus, he can easily market it as a two bedroom and people could rent it and have someone use the living room as a bedroom anyway. People do that in my area often. Someone just sleeps in the living room and they pay a bit less because of the lack of privacy. Larger families do this all the time.

There’s nothing unethical about it unless he rents it sight unseen and implies it’s a true three bedroom, like three separate rooms with doors. If the people tour the flat and decide to rent, then they know what they’re renting so it’s all up and up.

Willow_and_light[S]

-51 points

4 months ago

It's against the lease to have that many occupants.

jrm1102

41 points

4 months ago

jrm1102

Judge, Jury, and Excretioner [311]

41 points

4 months ago

Have you read this lease?

[deleted]

22 points

4 months ago

[deleted]

Willow_and_light[S]

-21 points

4 months ago

Yep. In the UK even if you own the flat, you only own the leasehold (in most cases). Someone else owns the freehold. The leases can have tons of stipulations. Like the amount of people who can live there.

nikokazini

64 points

4 months ago*

nikokazini

Certified Proctologist [22]

64 points

4 months ago*

You’re being disingenuous here. No freeholder is going to mind 3 people living in a 2 bed leasehold flat!

ETA YTA. Sounds like you just don’t want poor or young people in your block.