Updating post from Reddit.
Hello folk,
Hope everyone is doing well! Following this sub for some time now and I know some of you are accidental landlords and would have been in similar situation before.
I need some guidance and clarity on our financial situation as a couple (who are not married yet). I understand we’re somewhat fortunate to even be at this stage but just thinking about this has been stressing me out so much (to the point where I wake up in the middle of the night finding myself thinking about finances).
Context:
I just feel that we would have so much money tied up in property and this feels really restricting. But at the same time, we feel like we would not have much liquid savings. I withdrew quiet a lot of my S&S funds for the property in 2021 and over this period, it seems the property valuation has not increased as much as I would have hoped.
We would both be paying two mortgages (around £2k each per month excluding bills!). This is likely to wipe out most of our income and will have minimal savings (~£600 each per month). I feel super stressed just thinking about this situation. I have no idea how we're going to grow our ISAs with minimal savings. Are we doing the right thing?
Unsure what you're asking. It sounds like she just needs to buy the property, you move in and sell your own?
Alternatively if you have 25% equity in your house then you can maybe switch to a BTL mortgage. If you're super stressed out with this problem though maybe selling up would be better suited for your risk appetite and stress levels.
You need to weigh your options:
1 - you keep both properties and rent yours out.
—- you’ll need to consider whether rent in the area is enough to cover your mortgage, as well as any insurance and agent matters and whether you need to change your mortgage type. Any tax implications on income. Remember being a landlord is a job so you’ll have to weigh up having an agent and any repair costs.
2 - you sell yours and both purchase the London property.
— is the first time buyer discount worth any additional savings or deposit contribution you may have as a result of selling your property. And then you’re both named on the property.
3 - you sell your property and your fiancée purchases the London one solely in her name.
— puts you in a vulnerable position not being named but you may have savings from the sale of your property.
4- you rent in London and rent out your property
— again think of income v outgoings and the vulnerability of being tenants.
It seems a good idea to speak to an accountant and talk through the options
No one is an accidental landlord, you don't wake up day and oops suddenly you've signed a contract with a tenant to live in your house without realising. Normally just a euphemism for people wanting passive income and guaranteed capital growth without bothering to comply with all the regulations, taxes and mortgage conditions of being a landlord
There are plenty of ways.
Inheriting a tenanted property being one of them.
Needing to move house due to new job in a different area or country, upsizing etc and being unable to sell the current property. You can't sell it but have to move so rent it out. Multiple reasons for not being able to sell. Cladding issues too much negative equity property isn't mortgagable. If you are lucky you can afford to buy your next property (have 25% equity in the current place and a sufficient deposit for the next) if not so lucky you rent your next place while being a landlord at the same time.
2 people who both own their own home get into a relationship and want to move in but neither person wants to sell yet because it's too early in the relationship or one person can't sell (see above reasons). This is me. Met someone I moved into hers because it makes more sense for her work. I own my property outright with no mortgage. I'm not 100% sure what the future holds so I'm keeping mine for now and it's being let to students. My partner has lodgers. All regulations being met and taxes paid. I'm also pretty well versed in rental law. This situation also describes another couple I know, used to be 2 couple but they broke up and she was glad that she still had a house to go back to (once section 21 was done with).
There ar emany variants of accidental landlords:
It's not an 'accident' you chose to live with partner and keep your property, its a decision but people still feel that way. Often its a security blanket incase the relationship breaks down, othertimes its because is not financialy astute to sell up.
It is an overused term though, I will give you that.
Yes granted it’s an overused term and I guess I misused the term in this case. But this is exactly it, I do not know what the future holds. Life changes. Buying and selling property isn’t just a financial decision, it’s also an emotional decision. Besides selling property is also not an easy, takes so much time and energy.
Quiet frankly I feel as if I’m a mortgage prisoner (as you mentioned above). I’m sure a lot of people here feel the same way.