Can I have a lodger?

A lodger is someone who pays to live in your home with you. They usually have their own bedroom and share other parts of your home, like the kitchen or bathroom.

Whether you can have a lodger depends on your type of housing and tenancy agreement:

Shared Owners

• You can usually take in a lodger unless your lease says otherwise.

• Please check your lease carefully.

• You must let us know if you plan to take in a lodger. Email: leasehold@a2dominion.co.uk

Leaseholders

You can usually have a lodger unless your lease restricts it.

• You are responsible for your lodger’s behaviour while they live with you.

Social housing (Secure or Assured Tenancy)

Whether or not you can have a lodger depends on your tenancy agreement.

You can usually have a lodger if:

• You have a Secure or Assured Tenancy

• Your home won’t become overcrowded. For example, if you live in a bedsit or a 1 bed-flat, you won’t be able to have a lodger.

You'll need to ask us for permission before you take in a lodger.

Please:

• Call us on 0800 432 0077 or email: customer.services@a2dominion.co.uk

• Provide:

  • Lodger’s name, gender, and age

  • Which bedroom they’ll use

You'll need to

• Complete a right to rent check

• Notify:

  • The Housing Benefit office you have a lodger (if you receive Housing Benefit)

  • The Department for Work and Pensions (if you receive Universal Credit)

If permission is given, you must continue to live in your home. You cannot give up your whole home to a lodger. Also, you cannot charge your lodger more than the total rent you pay for your home.

You're responsible for ensuring your lodger follows the terms of your tenancy.
If they refuse to leave when asked, you’ll need to go to court to evict them.

Students

If you're living in student accommodation, you cannot have a lodger.