House share.... tennant?

Question

I've recently purchased a house. I want to move my friend in to help with the bills. I've downloaded a house share agreement off the internet fore us both to sign. Once signed is it a legally binding document? Or would it have to be done in front of a solicitor?

Thew reason I am asking is I want to ensure he pays and have backup via housing benefit etc, should he lose his job.... but I am also keen to do this as cheap as possible.

Answer 1

u would have 2 get it done by a solicitor ,someone who says it is a legal document .cause whos not 2 say that it was done between friends.

Answer 2

If you want my honest advice, don't get a tenant or a roomate. That could lead to disaster, even if they person was your best friend. Get a second or a third job if you have to like I did to pay the bills. Tenants sign legal leases all the time and often end up trashing the apartments/houses. It takes forever to evict them. It seems the law is always on the side of the tenant, not the poor landlord who is trying to pay the bills and make ends meet.

Answer 3

Go with what you have, if it appears to be acceptable to both of you. To have a legally binding contract you need a meeting of the minds. That means that both of you agree in principle in what you are doing. You do not have to have it witnessed or notarized. It is legal as soon as both of you sign. If you do any more than this you are waisting time and money.

Answer 4

Having it notarized should be legal enough. Just make sure all i's are dotted and t's crossed.

Also, if there are house rules to be taken in consideration please add them prior to signing. Better safe than sorry.

Answer 5

It would, perhaps, be better for you to VISIT either:

Citizen's Advice Bureau

OR

The Advice Shop

They will have somebody you can speak with; face to face :-)