Illegal subletting is a growing concern for landlords, leading to financial, legal, and safety risks. Subletting occurs when a tenant rents out part or all of the property without the landlord’s knowledge or consent. Detecting illegal subletting early can prevent property damage, tenancy agreement breaches, and rent disputes. Here are the key warning signs to help landlords identify illegal subletting according to trusted letting agents covering Wolverhampton.
1. Unexplained Increase in Occupants
Frequent Visitors or New Faces:
A common sign of illegal subletting is an increase in the number of people living on the property. While guests are expected, if you notice an unusually high number of people regularly entering and leaving, it could mean rooms are being sublet without your consent.
Multiple Occupants: If more people are living in the property than agreed upon in the tenancy, this could be a red flag. Look for extra furniture or bedding brought in to accommodate more occupants.
Frequent Changes in Occupants: Illegal subletting often involves transient tenants. If you notice different people moving in and out regularly, it may suggest subletting is occurring.
Additional Cars or Noise Levels:
Increase in Vehicles: A sudden rise in the number of cars parked at the property or changes in parking patterns may indicate additional residents.
Noise Complaints: A spike in noise levels or complaints from neighbours could also suggest over-occupancy.
2. Tenant Avoidance or Lack of Communication
Difficulty Contacting the Tenant:
If you find it hard to reach your tenant, they may not be the primary occupant anymore. Tenants involved in illegal subletting may avoid communication to hide their actions.
Unreturned Calls or Messages: If your tenant becomes consistently unresponsive, it could indicate they are no longer living at the property and are avoiding contact to prevent discovery of the subletting.
Excuses for Property Inspections: Tenants illegally subletting may resist inspections or maintenance visits, giving vague excuses or asking for delays to hide additional occupants.
3. Physical Signs of Over-Occupancy
Excessive Wear and Tear:
Illegal subletting often leads to over-occupancy, which results in excessive wear and tear on the property. Signs of this may be more visible during inspections.
Damaged Fixtures and Fittings: Look for damage beyond normal wear, such as stained carpets, damaged walls, or excessive wear on furniture.
Overuse of Utilities: High usage of electricity, gas, or water could indicate more people are living in the property than agreed.
Signs of Multiple Occupancy:
Additional Furniture or Bedding: If you notice extra beds, mattresses, or furniture, especially in common areas, it’s a sign more people are living there.
Divided Living Spaces: Be wary of makeshift partitions, curtains, or temporary walls that indicate the property has been divided to accommodate more occupants.
4. Changes in Utility Bills or Rent Payments
Unusual Payment Patterns:
Illegal subletting can lead to irregular rent or utility payments, as the tenant may rely on subtenants to cover these costs.
Late or Partial Payments: If rent payments are late or split into smaller amounts from different people, it may indicate the tenant is using subtenants to pay.
Payments from Third Parties: Be cautious if rent payments start coming from unknown individuals or bank accounts that aren’t linked to the original tenant.
5. Social Media and Online Listings
Rental Listings on Platforms:
One of the easiest ways to detect illegal subletting is by searching for your property on rental platforms like Airbnb or Gumtree.
Search for Listings: Regularly check rental platforms for listings of your property. If you find one, compare photos with your own records to confirm if it’s your property.
Social Media Activity:
Some tenants may advertise rooms for rent on social media platforms like Facebook or Instagram. Monitor local rental groups for mentions of your property.
6. Neighbour Complaints or Reports
Neighbour Complaints:
Neighbours are often the first to notice illegal subletting. They may see more people coming and going or hear increased noise.
Speak with Neighbours: If neighbours report too many people living at the property or unusual behaviour, it’s worth investigating further.
Noise or Traffic Complaints: If there are complaints of constant visitors or full parking spaces, this could suggest illegal subletting.
7. Tenant Requesting Additional Keys
Suspicious Key Requests:
If a tenant asks for extra keys without a clear reason, it could mean they plan to sublet the property.
Multiple Key Requests: Be cautious if your tenant requests multiple duplicate keys. While one extra set may be understandable, multiple requests should raise concerns.
What to Do If You Suspect Illegal Subletting:
If you suspect illegal subletting, there is a proper procedure for this course of action that needs to be carried out in the following manner:
Review the Tenancy Agreement: This is to check if the agreement has stated that subletting is not allowed or only allowed with written permission from the landlord.
Conduct a Property Inspection: Give notice and arrange access to inspect for over-occupation or unauthorised subtenants.
Gather Evidence of the Illegal Sublet: Take photos, make notes, and gain information from other neighbours, Internet websites.
Seek Legal Advice: In the event of confirmation of subletting, seek professional advice from solicitors for further action, which may involve eviction.
Conclusion:
Illegal subletting puts a landlord in serious situations of property damage and legal complications. By knowing some of the warning signs-like increased occupants for no apparent reason, evasion by tenants, or altered rent payments-you are one step ahead in identifying illegal subletting and taking the right remedial measures before things get out of hand. The best way to avoid illegal subletting is to maintain good relations with your tenants and to make regular checks on your property.
