Should I inform my real estate that my friend and brother are house sitting while away?

SkMed on 27/06/2017 - 10:27

Hey all,

Just after some advice,

My Girlfriend and I are renting out a 2 bedroom place in Melbourne. Its just been the two of us here for about 4 months and we paid 6 months reant in advance. Today I am going away for two months and my girlfriend is meeting me part way through my trip so she will be away for about 3 weeks as of August 1st.

We had a friend between houses so offered him our spare room while I am away, and when my GF comes to meet me overseas my brother is going to also crash in our room so the two of them will be house sitting for us.
The plan is that my brother and my friend are then going to look for a place together (they were previously housemates) but thats beside the point.

Anyway, just wondering if I should let the real estate know about the arrangement before I head off? Im just worried that they might see it as subletting and use it against us or something, im really wary about real estate agents after having terrible experiences with the,m for 13+ years.

I searched online and cant find anything…

Thanks,

Home & Garden

Comments

  • [Deactivated] on 27/06/2017 - 11:00

    Probably a good idea … 3 months is a long-ish time. Your brother/friend might need to request some maintenance. Easier if they can go directly to the agent, instead of going through you.

  • pauper on 27/06/2017 - 11:01
    +1

    Nothing from the above can be held against you. As long as you trust your brother and friend to not damage the place you will be fine.

    Just relax and enjoy your holiday!

    • SkMed on 27/06/2017 - 11:59

      Yeah will be totally fine, I grew up with my friend and lived with him for several years in previous share houses and my brother also knows how to human

  • inherentchoice on 27/06/2017 - 11:08

    The contract might require that you need to tell them who is residing at the property and who is an approved occupant.

    • SkMed on 27/06/2017 - 11:31

      Contract doesnt really say much. Just that any subletting needs to be approved by the landlord… But what exactly consitiutes as subletting?

  • bobbified on 27/06/2017 - 11:11
    +1

    I've got a clause in my lease agreement to let the agent if I'm going to be away for more than 3 weeks.

    I'm happy to follow that clause if I am going to be away for long periods, but I can't see it really being any benefit to anyone since there's no difference in who's responsible for the apartment should anything happen while I'm away.

    The only thing I can think of is if a tap or pipe burst inside while I'm away and I came back to an "indoor swimming pool". But then that can happen even if I'm away for just the weekend.

    Guess the first thing is to check your own lease agreement that you signed.

  • Randxyz123 on 27/06/2017 - 11:39

    Are you charging your brother and his friend rent? If you're not it's not subletting.

    I'd just send a quick message to the REA saying your brother is house sitting for security purposes. Include xxxx xxx xxx is his mobile should you need to contact him for any reason.

    As long as you still pay rent they probably won't care and the land lord would prefer you have someone stay instead of leaving a empty house.

    • SkMed on 27/06/2017 - 11:54

      Well not really, they will pay the bills while we are away. They offered to pay some rent as they are between houses though. I said if they wanted to chip in they could when I get back, but just whatever they can afford… but since we paid 6 months rent in advance anything they pay will just be going to me, so kinda but maybe not? Haha

      • Randxyz123 on 27/06/2017 - 14:22

        In that case just tell the REA that you are going away and he's house sitting. Let them know his name so if there is an emergency (burst pipe for example) and he calls they know who he is!

  • KaTst3R on 27/06/2017 - 12:59

    It is not an issue if it is a temporary arrangement. The issue only comes in if you lease the house on the intention to re-lease it out to someone else on a permanent basis. That is where the sub-letting clause will catch you. But if it is your brother looking after the house while you travel, the agent will close an eye on this. I would say that you dont need to inform the agent.

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