Sharing and subletting

This content applies to England only.

Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. This page applies to England only. Get advice relating to Scotland

Sharing a home with other people can be great fun, but it's important to choose carefully who you live with and to check that you understand your rights.

Your rights will also be affected by the type of tenancy you have. You can use our tenancy checker if you are not sure what type of tenancy you have, or use our directory to find an agency in your area that can help.

Choosing who to live with

Do you want to live on your own, with a partner, with a friend or in a shared house? Check out the pros and cons before you decide. Read more 

Things to agree in advance

Whoever you decide to live with, everyone needs to agree on some basic ground rules. Read more 

Whose name the agreement is in

Will you have separate tenancies, a joint tenancy, or a tenancy in only one person's name? This decision will have a big impact on your rights. Read more 

Lodgers

Thinking of being someone's lodger? Or taking in a lodger yourself? Check that it's allowed first, and make sure both parties understand their rights. Read more 

Subtenants

Subtenants have similar rights to other tenants, but there may be problems if the intermediary tenancy (the 'mesne' tenancy) ends. Read more 

Problems with housemates

Problems with housemates can be hard to resolve. Your options usually depend on what the problem is and whose name the agreement is in. Read more 

Houses in multiple occupation

Some houses or flats that are occupied by more than one household are classed as houses in multiple occupation (or HMOs). Landlords of this type of property have extra legal responsibilities. Do I live in an HMO? Read more