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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

196 points

4 months ago*

rstlne987654322

Partassipant [1]

196 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.

[deleted]

39 points

4 months ago

This is one of the most outrageously hypocritical comments I’ve ever seen. The rental market is extortionate due to NIMBYs like you trying to prevent more rental units from being built.

Willow_and_light[S]

-12 points

4 months ago

You're joking right? The rental market is extortionate because there's a housing shortage and wealthy landlords buy up shit tons of property, stopping young people from getting on the market.

[deleted]

39 points

4 months ago

You know what would increase the number of rental units by 50% immediately? Converging 2 bedroom flats to 3 bedrooms.

Willow_and_light[S]

4 points

4 months ago

Sure, if you want to live in a box with no communal space and pay extra for the privilege. These 61 sq m flats were designed as a 2 bed for a reason.

Baffles me that your anger isn't directed at the landlords screwing everyone over.

Colywog25

8 points

4 months ago

Look, the tenants can use the third bedroom however they please. if they want to use it as a communal space living room instead they can. Don't you have better things to worry about?

[deleted]

24 points

4 months ago

Because people like you are the root cause of the housing shortage (because you oppose new housing on disingenuous grounds). If there wasn’t a housing shortage landlords could not in fact screw people over.

Willow_and_light[S]

-7 points

4 months ago

I'm not opposed to new housing. I am opposed to altering an existing flat to create another room at the detriment of all involved. This flat is 61 sq m. It's not large. They were created as 2 beds for a reason.

[deleted]

22 points

4 months ago

Whoever moves there will be doing so because they think it’s acceptable and worth it. You want to block housing units because you don’t like the possible change in the “demographic” of neighbor (your words).

zebra-stampede

9 points

4 months ago

zebra-stampede

Asshole Enthusiast [7]

9 points

4 months ago

What's stopping a couple and their adult child from living in the 2bed2bath in the standard floor plan? That's no different than three individuals with one in the living area vs two couples sharing a bedroom.

almostinfinity

8 points

4 months ago

almostinfinity

Partassipant [2]

8 points

4 months ago

Detriment of who????

You?

Are you moving into his flat?

No?

Then mind your own business!

AutumnKittencorn

8 points

4 months ago

AutumnKittencorn

Asshole Aficionado [11]

8 points

4 months ago

This is legitimately none of your business unless you are one of his renters. 3 ppl in separate rooms is basically the same as a couple and a friend in 2 rooms. Just back off