Sharing and subletting
This content applies to England only.
Housing laws vary between England and Scotland. Get advice relating to Scotland
Sharing a home with other people can be great fun, but it is 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.
Things to agree in advance
Whoever you decide to live with, everyone needs to agree on some basic ground rules.
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.
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.
Subtenants
Subtenants have similar rights to other tenants, but there may be problems if the intermediary tenancy (the 'mesne' tenancy) ends.
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.
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 you live in an HMO?
