Resident landlord
A resident landlord is a landlord who lives in the same building as their tenant as their only or main home. Classic examples are renting out a spare room or a self-contained attic or basement flat in your own house while you live in the rest.
Being a resident landlord changes the legal position in important ways:
Many lets in your own home are excluded licences or tenancies, not assured tenancies, so the full Housing Act and the Renters’ Rights Act possession rules usually do not apply.
You can normally end the arrangement by giving reasonable notice, as set out in the agreement, without going to court for a possession order. Though you must never use or threaten violence.
You still owe basic duties, for example safe gas and electrics, fire precautions, no unlawful discrimination or harassment, and respect for the lodger’s privacy.
The status depends on the facts, not the label. If you move out, or the occupier has a wholly separate, self-contained flat and you do not really share living space, they may gain full assured tenancy rights, including Renters’ Rights protections on notice, standards and redress.
Professional resident landlords use clear written agreements, agree ground rules on access and guests, and keep track of when their own residence or sharing arrangements change.
Also see our landlord blog articles.
