As short-term lets become more commonplace, the law must adapt
In an increasingly tight rental market, short-term lettings are on the rise. What rights do tenants have if they take one of these lets? And how can homeowners be sure of getting possession at the end of the contract term?
John Stephenson, Partner in our private real estate team, explains in an article for Property Week:
‘A guest on such a let has no security of tenure. If they refuse to leave, and in effect squat at the property, a host cannot simply change the locks and exclude them but will have to go to the court for a possession order.
This will be given, but court delays will mean some time passing before the former guest can be evicted. The host would, in principle, be entitled to damages for the period of unlawful occupation, but that may not be enforceable in practice.’
The full article is available to read on the Property Week website.