{"id":819,"date":"2023-10-13T15:37:50","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T14:37:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.abhrsolutions.co.uk\/?p=819"},"modified":"2023-10-13T15:39:28","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T14:39:28","slug":"employment-accommodation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.abhrsolutions.co.uk\/employment-accommodation\/","title":{"rendered":"Employment that comes with Accommodation"},"content":{"rendered":"
It is not uncommon for an employee\u2019s employment to include the provision of accommodation. This may come about in many different ways \u2013 for instance \u2013<\/p>\n
Each and every situation is different and invariably these arrangements are quite ad hoc and informal and it only becomes an issue when the employee resigns or their employment is terminated.<\/p>\n
In all cases there will be a business justification for the provision of the accommodation and in return, the employee is often available 24\/7 \u2013 so, when a school alarm goes off out of hours, the Caretaker sorts it and if a cow or sheep goes into labour in the middle of the night, the Farm worker will attend.<\/p>\n
Also, these arrangements have developed through informal means\u00a0 – almost \u201ccustom and practice\u201d and it is not uncommon for these employees not to have a contract of employment so the most complicated situation arises when an employee\u2019s employment is terminated and they have no contract of employment, no tenancy agreement and their understanding is that accommodation comes with the job.<\/p>\n
First and foremost, there should be a clause in the contract which makes it clear that they will have the benefit of accommodation (or even a house in some situations) as long as they remain employed by the Company or the nature of their duties justifies such accommodation.<\/p>\n
In some situations, especially in the hospitality situation, it will be very straight forward and the employee \u2013 often a Chef – will have to vacate their room when employment terminates and in most cases, this will be understood and straight forward.<\/p>\n
There will be situations \u2013 primarily where houses are concerned, where there is a tenancy agreement and this may give the employee the right to stay in the property after employment has terminated or until notice to vacate the property has been served by the landlord, which might not necessarily be the employer.<\/p>\n
In some extreme cases, connected with Agriculture, the Farm labourer may have rights under historic legislation to occupy the farm cottage until death despite having retired years before.<\/p>\n
Arrangements should be documented and ensure;<\/p>\n
In an ideal scenario, as a minimum, there should be a contract of employment and a professionally drawn up tenancy agreement.<\/p>\n
In many cases, the employee may pay a very nominal amount for rent, definitely not market value, and rent will be deducted from the employee\u2019s salary.<\/p>\n
Ensure that you have employee authorisation to cover deductions from salary and check that this authorisation is updated if the amount of rent increases and the deduction from salary changes.<\/p>\n
Ensure that there is clarity about whether the rent is inclusive or exclusive of utility bills and\/or council tax.<\/p>\n
There should also be clarity about Insurance and specifically personal property and possessions of the employee \u2013 the employer may not want to accept liability for loss or damage to personal property.<\/p>\n
In some situations, the provision of accommodation for an employee could be perceived as a P11D benefit in kind and most employers conveniently take a creative view to avoid declaring a benefit in kind, although HMRC is likely to take a different view. Seek advice from Accountants.<\/p>\n
Accommodation and employment arrangements are excellent whilst the employment relationship is \u201chunky dory\u201d but as soon as that relationship ends or turns sour, the whole thing gets messy, legal and acrimonious \u2013 and hence costly.<\/p>\n
Any such arrangements should be contractually documented through the employment contract in conjunction with tenancy agreements drawn up by professionals to ensure that there is alignment between the employment contract and the tenancy agreement and it is clear what should happen on termination of employment.<\/p>\n
If you want help with any of the issues raised, Adrian Berwick gives practical advice and support \u2013 either call 07885 714771 or e-mail \u2013 adrian@abhrsolutions.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" It is not uncommon for an employee\u2019s employment to include the provision of accommodation. This may come about in many different ways \u2013 for instance \u2013 Residential tutors in the Education setting Accommodation on site for a school caretaker Chefs with Rooms in the hotel\/hospitality sector Farm workers who have a cottage on the farm […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":820,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[26],"tags":[15,12,16,21,110,59,89,20,27,19,112,111],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n