Long term Lodger Issue

[louiethecue]

HELP! This is very invloved!

My mother in law has had a long term lodger ( around 10 years )
His rent has been subsidised by the government as he is on housing benefit.
He has also contributed to some bills ( Food, electric etc)

My Mother in law is now in hospital and is unlikely to be well enough to come out.Which will mean that the house will need to be sold/passed on to the children and the Lodger removed.

How can we go about this quickly and easily.
Is it possible to just ask him to leave ( I doubt it)
He has no form of contract or agreement ( He has been a 'unfriendly' Family friend for years) and has stayed there on that basis.

Since going into hospital many bills have arrived and i do not wish him to deal with these if that increases his position in the eyes of the Law

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Paul_f]

As he is a lodger you can just ask him to leave. My only concern is that as your mother is unlikely to live at the property again you could be giving the lodger exclusive possession if you're not careful so would suggest you obtain vacant possession asap. He also might be an assured tenant if allowed to stay any length of time on his own which makes it extremely difficult to evict.

It would be a good idea to talk to your family solicitor on this.

[louiethecue]

What is meant by Exclusive Possession?
This is a term i have not heard of before

[dazalock]

It means that the Lodger is living under the roof on his own with the owner living elsewhere, at which time he would be deemed to be a tenant, at that point he gets rights.