In short
Yes, you can often let a spare room in a home you rent, but only with your landlord's written permission. The cleanest way is to ask the landlord to add the new person to the lease. If you let the room to them yourself, you may take on a landlord's duties to them, and they may have rights of their own.
Ask your landlord first, in writing
Most leases say you can't sublet or take in someone new without the landlord's consent. Not asking puts your own tenancy at risk.
Most landlords say yes to replacing a housemate who's leaving. Many want to meet the new person first. Keep their reply somewhere safe.
Two ways to do it
Add them to the lease: the landlord adds the new person, and everyone has the same relationship with the landlord. You can still split the rent however you like.
Let the room yourself: the new person pays you and you pay the landlord. You may become their "sub-landlord", with duties such as handling their deposit properly and giving proper notice.
What it means for the new housemate
Whether the new person is a tenant with protections, or a licensee, depends on the real arrangement, not on what an agreement calls it. Recent changes to tenancy law make it more important to get this right.
Threshold gives free, independent advice to both of you. If you're unsure, ask them before anyone moves in.
Listing the room on Sa Bhaile
When you list, we ask whether you rent your home. If you do, you confirm you have your landlord's written permission.
Our lodger agreement is written for owners' homes, so we don't offer it for rented homes. Everything else works the same: checked photos, ID checks, safe messaging and the Get help button.
Common questions
- Do I need my landlord's permission to let a room?
- Usually yes. Most leases need the landlord's consent before anyone new moves in, and asking in writing protects your own tenancy.
- Can the new housemate pay me instead of the landlord?
- Yes, if your landlord agrees. If you let the room to them yourself, you may take on a landlord's duties toward them, such as handling their deposit properly.
- Can I use the Sa Bhaile lodger agreement?
- No. It's written for a room in an owner's own home. For a rented home, ask your landlord to add the new person to the lease, or get advice from Threshold.
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.