Contracts for under 18s

[Snorkerz]

I read, at least a year ago, that persons unde the age of 18 can sign and be held to a contract for essentials including housing. This was either on Barnardos website or in a Barnardos publication regarding housing the young. It is a fact I have spouted may times since, and I thought I'd find out the actual bit of law where the exemption is specified.

Looking through the Barnardos website for the original publication has proved fruitless (not knowing it's name hasn't helped).

Does anyone know where this little nugget of law can be found?

[theartfullodger]

I've heard similar... a specialized course re. housing but the notes are in a huge pile in the shed......

Tessa says... (it's "necessaries..." btw..)

http://www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/201...ron=1327009418

Under the land law rules, minors cannot hold an ‘estate in land’. However under contract law, minors can be liable for ‘necessaries’. These are things essential for living such as food, shelter etc.
...etc............

Think the tricky bit, as always, is tenant selection...

see also

http://england.shelter.org.uk/__data...8510/30486.pdf