I’d like to ask question about tenancy. United Kingdom, No

Hello and thank you for your question. My name is ***** ***** I will be very pleased to assist you. I'm a practising lawyer in England with over 15 years’ experience. Please be aware that although I will endeavour to reply to you promptly, I am also in full time private practice and so I may not be available to respond immediately and it may also take me a few minutes to prepare a reply. The site will notify you as soon as I respond. I look forward to working with you to answer your question fully.

I am very sorry to read of the above. May I confirm if you have involved the landlord in the above circumstances to date please?

thank you. Is the landlord aware of the occupation of the property by your flatmates boyfriend and if so, have they taken any steps in this regard?

thank you. Finally, do you have sufficient knowledge of her financial status to know whether she is able to afford to cover your share of the rent?

thank you. Is her boyfriend also willing to provide a guarantee to you?

thank you. It does not seem to me that a guarantee from your housemate is worth very much from what you say. A guarantee only has a value commensurate with the person giving it. If she is proposing to apply for benefits, this would imply at least that she probably does not have much in the way of resources to cover the rent making any guarantee she gives you are probably limited value.

You will probably need to consider seeking a guarantee from both her and her boyfriend if you are to place any value or reliance on the same.

Otherwise, you may be better off considering whether to replace yourself as a tenant though this may not be straightforward if the housemate is resistant to this.

I'm glad the above answers all your questions for now. If you have any follow up questions please revert to me.