House without heat or hot water

[Flora29]

My Boyfriend is planning on renting his house to his best mate, and I had suggested writing up an assured shorthold tenancy agreement to make it official. To be honest, it is just a formality as his friend is exceedingly loyal and not likely to default in any way.

However, the house doesn't have any central heating or hot water (apart from the shower). This doesn't bother his mate as he doesn't feel the cold, and never cooks so doesn't need to use hot water for anything much.

I am looking at an agreement that I had previously when I rented my house out, and it says that according to Section 11. Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, that you have to provide space heating and hot water in proper working order. Does that mean we can't go ahead with this type of agreement?

Is there any other kind of tenancy contract we can write up ourselves that would be legal? I think the only things they want to agree are rate of rent and term of the agreement in the first instance (only 3 months anyway), plus making the property good at the end of the tenancy in case he gets his oily hands all over the place (bless, 'im, he's a mechanic!).

Thanks for your help, in advance!

[Ericthelobster]

My Boyfriend is planning on renting his house to his best mate, and I had suggested writing up an assured shorthold tenancy agreement to make it official. To be honest, it is just a formality as his friend is exceedingly loyal and not likely to default in any way.

Bzzzzt!

Whatever he does, your bf should make absolutely sure he does this fully above board, with all the proper paperwork. Just read the archives of this forum to see how many times people have been stitched up by so-called friends in a situation like this.

Personally I wouldn't rent to a friend in the first place, but if he must, at least do it properly...

[PaulF]

Yegad! An accident waiting to happen

My Boyfriend is planning on renting his house to his best mate, and I had suggested writing up an assured shorthold tenancy agreement to make it official. To be honest, it is just a formality as his friend is exceedingly loyal and not likely to default in any way. No! No! No! - See Eric's post.

However, the house doesn't have any central heating or hot water (apart from the shower). This doesn't bother his mate as he doesn't feel the cold, and never cooks so doesn't need to use hot water for anything much.

I am looking at an agreement that I had previously when I rented my house out, and it says that according to Section 11. Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, that you have to provide space heating and hot water in proper working order. Does that mean we can't go ahead with this type of agreement? You have to maintain space heating and hot water, but you don't have to provide heating. You will have to provide hot water though.
Is there any other kind of tenancy contract we can write up ourselves that would be legal? I think the only things they want to agree are rate of rent and term of the agreement in the first instance (only 3 months anyway), plus making the property good at the end of the tenancy in case he gets his oily hands all over the place (bless, 'im, he's a mechanic!).It don't matter what you think you are drawing up, it's an AST in law! The only way to get round it is not to charge any rent then you're not creating a tenancy.

Thanks for your help, in advance!