In short
A good lodger agreement sets out the rent and when it is paid, the deposit and how it is returned, the notice each person will give, any trial period, the house rules, which rooms are shared, and what is included, such as bills or meals. It should describe the real arrangement honestly, because the label on an agreement does not decide whether someone is a lodger or a tenant.
Why put it in writing?
Most falling-outs between hosts and lodgers come from things that were never said out loud: who pays for heating, whether a partner can stay over, how much notice is fair. Writing it down before the move takes away the guesswork.
What goes into the agreement?
- Names of the host and the lodger, and the address.
- The start date and any trial period.
- Rent, how often it is paid and how.
- The deposit, what it covers and when it comes back.
- Bills: included, shared or estimated.
- Which room is the lodger’s and which spaces are shared.
- House rules, such as guests, quiet hours and smoking.
- The notice period for each person.
- What happens at the end: keys, belongings and the deposit.
Can an agreement make someone a lodger?
No. Calling an arrangement a licence does not make it one. If the room is really a self-contained flat, or the owner does not live there, tenancy law may apply whatever the paper says. Sa Bhaile only lists rooms where the host lives in the home and shares it.
How does Sa Bhaile handle this?
When a host and lodger agree to go ahead, Sa Bhaile builds a plain-language summary from the listing: rent, deposit, trial, notice and house rules. The lodger reads a short explanation of their status and ticks to say they understand it, and the owner confirms. Both of you can see it at any time.
Common questions
- Is a lodger agreement legally binding?
- A written agreement is evidence of what you both agreed. For anything specific to your situation, speak to a solicitor or Citizens Information.
- Do I need a solicitor to write one?
- Not necessarily, but a solicitor can review it. Sa Bhaile’s summary is a starting point, not legal advice.
- Can the agreement be changed later?
- Yes, if both of you agree. Write down the change and the date.
Official sources
We checked this guide against these sources. Rules change, so check them for the latest position.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. For advice about your situation, contact Citizens Information, Threshold or a solicitor.
Ready to find the right fit?
Listing a room and searching on Sa Bhaile are both free, and every arrangement starts with a trial period.