UK Lodger Help Guides & Articles for Landlords
You’ll find all our lodger related articles in this section, ordered by date of publish.
We’re continually adding new articles, so if you want to keep up to date on our latest guides and tips, this is the area to keep an eye on.
If you’re looking for a tips on a particular issue, or an answer to a specific question, you can jump straight to a category which you think will be relevant by clicking on the category filter in the left hand sidebar.
Please note, while a lot of our practical guides (e.g. how to find a lodger, lodger referencing) can be applied to lodgers all over the UK, the legal information we cover is related to lodgers in England & Wales. Please also note that everything on this website is purely a guide and for informational purposes, it should not be construed as legal advice. Please seek professional legal advice if you need it.
What Landlords Can & Can’t Charge Lodgers
This particular article is only relevant to Landlords in England. On 1st June 2019 the “Tenant Fees Act 2019” came into force, which is a legislation that focuses on banning and restricting letting agents and private landlords (in England only) from charging tenants & lodgers with certain fees, which includes referencing fees and limitations on […]
Repairs & Maintenance Responsibilities
Needless to say, every landlord should ensure they provide a comfortable and safe living environment for their lodger, regardless of what is legally required. Landlords letting to lodgers are NOT regulated by the Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act, which covers the landlords (with tenants) responsibility to keep the property in good repair. […]
Is my occupant a lodger or a tenant?
The topic of Lodger Vs Tenant was briefly covered in the what is a lodger? article, where it specifically explained how to prevent a tenancy (for those landlords that simply want a lodger). This article will look into diagnosing the status of your current occupant: are they a lodger or a tenant? The legal status […]
Should I take in a lodger?
Taking in a lodger – especially if they’re a stranger – can be a daunting decision. Often the extra money alone isn’t enough to convince prospective landlords to take in a lodger because there’s plenty to consider, many of which is discussed in the advantages & disadvantages of a lodger article. So should you take […]
Lodger Eviction Notice – Breach Of Agreement
If you have a lodger in your home and they have breached the terms of the lodger agreement (other than non-payment of rent), you can serve the notice below. The usual notice period for lodger’s is 28 days, and if your lodger is not in a serious breach of the agreement, you should stick to […]
Lodger Late Rent Eviction Notice
If you have a lodger in your home and they have fallen in rent arrears, you can serve the notice below. Before serving notice to your lodger, you should read your lodger agreement carefully, because many agreements often say that the lodger’s license to occupy your property will automatically terminate if they are in two […]
Lodger Notice Template To Terminate Agreement
If you have a lodger in your home and you want them to move out for no reason, and there is no breach, the template below is an example of what you could use to serve notice. Before serving notice to your lodger: read your lodger agreement carefully and follow any procedure set out. For […]
Lodgers & Utility Bills – Who is responsible?
There is no set rule on how landlords should charge lodgers for the utility bills, they’re usually either inclusive with the rent, or charged separately. Generally, the utility bills will include the following services: Gas Electricity Water Broadband/Internet The easiest option is to include utility bills with the rent at a fixed rate, that makes […]
Lodgers & Income Tax / Rent a Room Scheme
The important thing to remember about any type of residential lettings, which includes home-owners with a single lodger let, is that it’s treated like any other profit based business. That means the landlord is eligible for being taxed on any net profit. The formula to calculate the net profit is the same as any other […]
Shared / Communal Rooms
The landlord is entitled to set which rooms/areas are shared/communal with the lodger- it’s typically the bathroom, kitchen and lounge. If you have multiple bathrooms, you can each have a dedicated one. The important thing to remember, as discussed in the what is a lodger article, is that a lodger shouldn’t have exclusivity to a […]
Lodgers & Meals / Food
There are no obligations for lodger landlords to provide food or cooked meals, but many landlords do it anyways. But essentially, it really is a personal choice. There are both pros and cons to offering meals, or at least one per day, whether it be breakfast or dinner (lunch is usually never an option, because […]
Serving Notice to your lodger
This can be tough, particularly if your lodger is settled and comfortable in your home. However, telling a lodger to leave (even if they have done nothing wrong) is a normal part of being a landlord, and most lodgers will be fine with it, because it was never a permanent arrangement in the first place. […]
Evicting a Problematic Lodger
The information on this page is only relevant to landlords with lodgers in England & Wales. Unfortunately dealing with problematic lodgers is always the risk when becoming a landlord. It can be an incredibly difficult time. But comparatively (compared to evicting a ‘tenant’), evicting a lodger is generally a lot quicker and easier. Serving notice […]
Lodger Security Deposits
Taking a deposit from your lodger isn’t “required”, but it is sensible, so you are protected against any rent arrears or damages. How much deposit to take The typical amount taken is one month’s worth of rent, but many also demand up to 6 weeks. But generally, most landlords ask for the former. Most lodgers […]
Lodger Agreements (Contracts)
While setting up a written lodger agreement is not a legal requirement, it is recommend for the protection of both landlord and lodger so everyone is clear what their rights and obligations are. However, the reality is, many lodgers never use a written lodger agreement and therefore operate under mutual agreement, which generally works out […]
Lodgers & House Rules
Lodger landlords don’t have to have a set of written house rules. In fact, many landlords and lodgers just have a discussion at the beginning of the lodger agreement about what is expected, and that often works out well. However, it can be a good idea to compile a list of house rules, just so […]
Lodgers & Council Tax
Will taking in a lodger affect your council tax? Even though Council tax is a system based on charging per property and not per person, there is a possibility your council tax rate will change by taking in a lodger. If you currently qualify and benefit from the single person’s 25% council tax discount, a […]
Furniture & Fittings For Lodgers
There is actually no legal requirement for lodger landlords to provide furniture with your room, the only requirement is that any furniture you do provide is complaint with the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations 1987, which essentially means it needs to be fire safety compliant and carry the proper labels. However, if you’re supplying […]
Lodger Building & Contents Insurance
The odds are you already have some form of building insurance policy, so it’s important you take the appropriate steps to keep your policy valid. Many insurance policies are invalidated if you take in a lodger. However, most providers are OK with it as long as you let them know in advance. Before you take […]
Who you need to notify when getting a lodger
Who you will need to inform will depend on your individual circumstances, but here is a general list… Local Tax Office Taking in a lodger may affect your council tax, particularly if you’re currently benefiting from the ‘single person’ 25% discount (because you will no longer be living alone). It is advised for everyone currently […]
How much rent to charge your lodger
This is often the deciding question that many prospective landlords ask when deciding whether to get a lodger- how much rent could they charge? It should come to no great surprise that most landlords flirt with the idea of getting a lodger because of the extra money, so it’s not surprising it’s one of the […]
How to Reference Your Lodger
Unfortunately, this is where many landlords get it wrong, even experienced ones, and consequently why many landlords end up having disputes with their lodgers, whether it be over financial reasons, or incompatibility issues. Finding the right lodger can be tricky, so it’s important to get it right. Many landlords rely on their first impressions during […]
Lodger Viewings & Interviews
Lodger viewings and interviews may seem daunting, especially if it’s your first time and you’re not particularly comfortable with strangers in your home. Most lodgers are complete strangers, so any doubts or fears are completely understandable. But in reality, it doesn’t need to be a formal process, and it usually isn’t. Most viewings are extremely […]
How to Find a Lodger
If this is the first time you’re considering the prospect of looking for and finding a lodger, it’s recommended to be familiar with the basics first, like the advantages and disadvantages of a lodger, and more importantly, what your legal obligations are as a lodger landlord. Once you’ve done your research and due diligence, the […]
Landlord Lodger Legal Obligations
Compared to the legal requirements for landlords with a tenant, the legal requirements for a landlord with a lodger is relatively simply. The actual list of limited requirements may actually be quite surprising. Here are the legal requirements you should be aware of: “Right-to-rent” legislation As of Feb 2016, ALL landlords in England are required […]
Advantages & Disadvantages of a lodger
Weighing up the decision on whether to get a lodger or not can be a difficult one, because there are plenty of pros and cons for both arguments. There’s a lot to consider. Before you start the process of finding a lodger, here are a list of the most common advantages and disadvantages of taking […]
What is a lodger [the actual definition]?
While there is no legal definition of “lodger”, a lodger is someone who typically rents a room in your home and shares living space (e.g. kitchen, bathroom). Lodgers in England & Wales are typically what is known as a “licencee”, which essentially means the lodger can only stay as long as the landlord allows. It’s […]