Mesne landlord
A mesne landlord, pronounced “mean”, is a landlord who sits in the middle of a chain, renting a property from a superior landlord and then subletting it to an under-tenant. In other words, you are both a tenant and a landlord at the same time.
From a landlord’s perspective, being a mesne landlord is common in rent-to-rent, leasehold flats sublet to occupiers, and some commercial-to-residential arrangements. You have:
Tenant obligations upwards – to pay rent, comply with your own lease, and avoid breaching covenants. For example use, subletting, alterations.
Landlord obligations downwards – to your subtenants, who may have assured tenancies with full private renting rights under the Renters’ Rights Act.
Problems arise if you or the superior landlord breach duties. For example, loss of the headlease, non-compliance with licensing, or unlawful eviction attempts. Subtenants may still have strong rights against you as mesne landlord, and in some cases against the superior landlord too.
Professional mesne landlords need robust written tenancy agreements, consent to sublet where required, and clear compliance systems so the property meets all standards and registration duties at every level of the letting chain.
