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What are House Rules for Lodgers?
Use House Rules for Lodgers when you are allowing a lodger to occupy a spare room in your home. House Rules for Lodgers set out the key guidelines a lodger has to respect and follow within your property, to supplement your Lodger agreement. They also contain key information regarding the property (including how much the rent is and when it is due).
When should I use House Rules for Lodgers?
Use these House Rules for Lodgers when you:
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want to rent out your property to a lodger
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want to supplement your Lodger agreement by giving the lodger a set of easily accessible guidelines
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are based in England, Wales or Scotland
Sample House Rules for Lodgers
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HOUSE RULES FOR LODGERS
- The rent for the room is £ per month payable in advance on the of every month. The amount due must be paid on time on the due date.
- If more than two rent payments are missed, the arrangement will end automatically.
- Lodgers must pay towards the cost of telephone charges at the property.
- Lodgers must keep the room clean and tidy. The Owner has the right to enter the room for inspection and clean if necessary.
- Lodgers have use of the bedroom given to them but they do not have exclusive possession of it. The Owner has the right to move the Lodger to another room at short notice.
- Lodgers are responsible for keeping their own items secure. The Owner does not take responsibility for any lost items.
- Lodgers must keep the kitchen, living room, bathroom and other shared rooms clean and tidy.
- Smoking is not permitted in the house.
- Any visitors must leave the property by 22:00 hours. Overnight visitors are not allowed.
- Lodgers must not bring any pets into the house.
- Lodgers must not allow any rubbish to build up in the room and all rubbish must be placed in the rubbish bins provided.
- Lodgers must not keep any inflammable items in the room.
- Lodgers must not have any heating system in their room other than the ones at the property.
- Lodgers must not move or damage any furniture, pictures or wall hangings.
- Lodgers must not do anything that is a nuisance to other lodgers.
- Lodgers must not do anything that will make the Owner's insurance invalid.
- Lodgers must not use the utilities such as gas, electricity and telephones to excessive use.
- Lodgers must keep noise to a minimum.
- Lodgers must report any loss of keys immediately to the Owner.
- Lodgers must take all their personal possessions when they leave the property.
About House Rules for Lodgers
Learn more about making your House Rules for Lodgers
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How to make House Rules for Lodgers
Making House Rules for Lodgers online is simple. Just answer a few questions and Rocket Lawyer will build your document for you. When you have all of the details prepared in advance, making your document is a quick and easy process.
To make your House Rules for Lodgers you will need the following information:
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What is the rent for the lodger's room?
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When is the rent paid?
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Common terms in House Rules for Lodgers
House Rules for Lodgers set out what a lodger can and cannot do while living in your home. Typically, House Rules for Lodgers include:
Things the lodger must do
This includes:
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details relating to the rent (eg how much it is, when it must be paid and what happens when the rent remains unpaid)
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the lodger making contributions towards certain bills (eg telephone and energy bills)
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the lodger keeping their room and any shared rooms neat and tidy
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the lodger immediately reporting any lost keys to the owner
Things the lodger must refrain from doing
These include the lodger’s being restricted from:
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having any overnight guests
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keeping pets at the property
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keeping any inflammable items in the room
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doing something that would invalidate the owner’s insurance
If you want your House Rules for Lodgers to include further or more detailed provisions, you can edit your document. However, if you do this, you may want a lawyer to review or change the House Rules for Lodgers for you, to make sure they comply with all relevant laws and meet your specific needs. Ask a lawyer for assistance.
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Legal tips for making House Rules for Lodgers
Make sure that you can in fact take in a lodger
If you are considering advertising your spare room, it's important to determine whether you are actually able to accommodate a lodger. This means that, before letting the room, you should first carry out all of the relevant checks. These include:
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contacting your mortgage provider to verify whether you are allowed to take on a lodger
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reviewing your rental agreement (eg Tenancy agreement) to determine whether you are permitted to take on a lodger. Alternatively, you can speak with your landlord directly to discuss your situation and potentially come to an agreement (if you do so, record this in writing)
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checking your contents insurance policy to determine if a lodger's belongings will be covered
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speaking with your benefits provider (eg Universal Credit), as taking on a lodger may impact your benefit claims
For more information, read Taking in a lodger.
Enter into a written agreement
If you can take on a lodger, it is crucial that you enter into a formal agreement with the lodger. Having a written agreement in place means that the basis of the relationship between yourself and your lodger is formally documented. This not only offers clarity to all parties involved, but also helps prevent any potential future disputes. For more information, read Taking in a lodger.
Use our Lodger agreement for England and Wales or our Lodger agreement for Scotland to make your document.
Understand when to seek advice from a lawyer
Ask a lawyer if:
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this document doesn’t meet your needs
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you have any questions or concerns about taking on a lodger
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House Rules for Lodgers FAQs
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What is included in the House Rules for Lodgers?
This House Rules for Lodgers template covers:
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the level of rent and the date the rent is due
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what the lodger can do at the property
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what the lodger can't do at the property
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what you expect from the lodger whilst they are at the property
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Why do I need House Rules for Lodgers?
Having House Rules for Lodgers in addition to your lodger agreement ensures your lodger knows what is permitted within the property. These rules will give you peace of mind when taking in a lodger, as they set out clearly what the lodger can and cannot do in your home. By clearly setting out the rules for occupying your home, you set expectations and help avoid any future conflicts.
For more information, read Taking in a lodger.
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What are lodger agreements?
A lodger agreement is a type of residential licence that sets out the terms under which a lodger can occupy a property. It is used when you are looking to rent out a room at your property while remaining in the property (ie as a live-in landlord).
Lodger agreements are different from Tenancy agreements as lodger agreements are residential licences, which grant lodgers fewer rights than tenants (or Welsh contract holders). For example, lodgers do not have the right to exclusive possession of a property and can be evicted more easily than tenants. For more information, read Taking in a lodger.
You can make your document using our Lodger agreement for England and Wales or Lodger agreement for Scotland.
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What are the lodger's obligations?
Under these House Rules, lodgers must:
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pay rent in due time
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pay a reasonable contribution to the property’s telephone charges
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keep their room, as well as the shared facilities (eg the kitchen and bathroom), clean and tidy
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keep their own items secure
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What can't a lodger do in the property?
Under these House Rules, lodgers must not:
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smoke in the property
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bring any pets into the home
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move or damage any furniture, pictures or wall hangings
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cause any nuisance to other lodgers, such as noise nuisance or night visitors
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make excessive use of shared utilities such as gas or electricity
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