Lodgers and House Sitters

1. The Aim of the policy is to ensure that Co-op properties are properly used for the benefit of Co-op members, without detracting from the rights of individual tenants.

2. Definitions of lodgers and house sitters:
These are people who live in Co-op properties but who are responsible to the tenant and not to Vine. Lodgers are people who share the whole property; house sitters are people who occupy a part or the whole of the property in the absence of a Co-op member.

Their legal standing is that of a licensee. They are not tenants of Vine and have no rights as such.

Sub-letting social housing is illegal. The Co-op can only accept rent from its tenants.

It is also illegal to advertise the property or part of it on Airb&b or sites of a similar nature.

3. The Co-op stipulates that any space that becomes available within existing tenancies should first be advertised within the Co-op, and, if there are no internal applicants, should be put up for allocation to outside agencies, rather than going to a lodger.

4. Any tenant who wishes to have a lodger must first seek written permission from the Co-op. The request should be put in writing to the Housing Management Sub-group two months in advance (apart from exceptional circumstances). It will be recorded in sub-group minutes. If it is in accordance with the policy HM will not unreasonably refuse the request. It will then go to the MC for agreement.

5. Permission to take a lodger or a house sitter may be granted under the following conditions:

i. A tenant of a single flat may apply to take a lodger, as this is not taking space away from Co-op members.
ii. A house sitter may look after a Co-op property for a member who is away for a period of time. A maximum period of one year, may be granted, apart from exceptional circumstances. The leave of absence will be monitored by the Membership Sub-group.
iii. The Co-op member remains responsible for the rent and the house sitter’s behaviour. If the house sitter is cause for complaint, the member is responsible.
iv. A lodger may share a property for a limited period of time. The Co-op will allow a maximum period of one year.

6. The implications of occupation by a lodger

i. Income from lodgers must be declared to Housing Benefit and will adversely affect the amount of HB received
ii. When the tenant moves, it is their responsibility to ensure that the lodger leaves. If the lodger remains behind the Co-op will take legal action against the tenant and the lodger.
iii. Tenants are responsible for their lodgers and house sitters. They are also responsible for any noise or nuisance caused by lodgers or house sitters
iv. The Co-op will ensure that statutory overcrowding does not occur because of licensing to a lodger

7. Co-op insists that any licence fee paid by a lodger should be proportionate to the space occupied. The fee paid by a house sitter should not exceed the rent of the whole property, and an affidavit to this effect should be signed by the tenant and the house sitter

A Co-op member may not profit from their housing.

8. The Co-op will declare on its monitoring report how many permissions it has given for lodgers and house sitters.