Live-in landlord

A live in landlord is a resident landlord who lives in the same property as the occupier as their only or main home. Typically you are renting out a spare room in your house, often to one or more lodgers, under a licence to occupy, not a full private tenancy or assured tenancy in the Private Rented Sector (PRS).

Because you share the home, most lodgers are excluded occupiers. That means the full Renters’ Rights Act regime on long notice periods and statutory possession grounds does not usually apply in the same way. You normally end the arrangement by giving reasonable notice, as set out in the agreement, rather than applying to court for a possession order, although you must never use force, harassment or unlawful eviction tactics.

Some PRS rules, for example on tenancy deposits, permitted payments, and licensing, may be lighter or not apply, but you still have important duties around safety and fit for human habitation, including fire precautions, gas and electrical safety and dealing sensibly with damp and mould.

If you stop living there, or the occupier has a fully self-contained annex, they may gain full PRS rights as a residential tenant, and the Renters’ Rights Act for private landlords will bite. Many live-in landlords also use Rent a Room income and Rent a room relief for tax when conditions are met.