Forum spotlight: Adding a tenant to an AST

A landlord member posted on our forum looking for advice.

They said their tenant is currently halfway through a two-year AST and had contacted them to ask whether their boyfriend would be able to move in and be added to the existing AST.

Our landlord wanted to understand whether they would be able to amend the existing AST agreement to reflect this, or whether it would be better to create a brand new tenancy agreement for the couple.

The responses on our forum

The first person to respond on our forum suggested that in their view, it would be better for the landlord to simply allow the boyfriend to stay, as a permitted occupier. In their view this would result in less administration and would avoid having to create a whole new tenancy agreement.

An adviser from our expert advice team then joined the thread.

They agreed with the comment, and reminded the landlord that if they did decide to create a new tenancy agreement, all of the paperwork would need to be served again, as well as the deposit certificate and so on.

More on this can be read in the NRLA’s landlord starter pack.

Our member then rejoined the thread and asked whether there is a template form that all parties need to sign to reflect the permitted occupier information, or whether it’s best for them to write an addendum in their own words.

Our adviser said that while there is not a template for this, it is recommended that the landlord writes a basic letter, giving permission for that person, the boyfriend, to be a permitted occupier at the property.

They also reminded the landlord that even though the permitted occupier is not a tenant, Right to Rent checks must still be carried out.