Lodger Agreement Template

(England & Wales)

Create your lodger agreement with room details, rent terms, deposit arrangements, shared area rules, and notice periods.

Professionally drafted — structured following UK housing law for resident landlords in England and Wales.

Download a professionally drafted Lodger Agreement template for resident landlords letting spare rooms. Also known as Room Rental Agreement, Lodging Agreement, or Room Let Agreement. Covers accommodation details, rent and payment terms, deposit arrangements, shared area rules, utilities costs, house rules, notice periods, and lodger rights. Structured following Protection from Eviction Act 1977 and relevant housing law for England and Wales.

One-time payment: £10
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Whether you prefer step-by-step guidance or a traditional form, both methods produce the identical professionally-formatted lodger agreement. Choose the style that suits you.

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♻️ Unlimited use — generate agreements for every tenant at every property

💡 Need more than just a Lodger Agreement?

Get our Complete Residential Landlord Pack — includes Lodger Agreement, AST, Inventory, Deposit Protection, and more in one complete bundle.

Who Creates Lodger Agreements?

Resident landlords who live in their property and rent out spare rooms to lodgers — the most tax-efficient way to generate rental income from your home.

A written agreement setting out the terms between a resident landlord and lodger, covering rent, deposit, shared area rules, utilities, and notice periods.▼ Tap below to read more

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What Is a Lodger Agreement?

A lodger agreement is a contract between a resident landlord and a lodger who lives in the landlord's home and shares living space (such as kitchen, bathroom, or living room). Unlike tenancies, lodgers are "excluded occupiers" with minimal legal protection, meaning you can ask them to leave with reasonable notice without a court order.

Key Features:

  • Shared living space: You (the landlord) live in the property and share facilities with the lodger
  • Excluded occupier status: Lodgers don't have tenancy rights — they're licensees, not tenants
  • No deposit protection required: Lodger deposits don't need government scheme protection
  • Easy eviction: No court order needed — give reasonable notice and if lodger won't leave, you can change locks
  • Rent-a-Room relief: Earn up to £7,500 per year tax-free under HMRC's Rent-a-Room scheme
  • Flexible terms: Simpler agreements than ASTs with fewer legal requirements

When to Use a Lodger Agreement:

Use this agreement when you're a resident landlord letting a room in your main home while continuing to live there. You must share living space — if the lodger has a self-contained flat with their own bathroom and kitchen, they're a tenant, not a lodger, and need an AST.

Our lodger agreement is professionally drafted to protect resident landlords while setting clear expectations for lodgers.

Without written terms, disputes arise over rent amounts, notice periods, deposit deductions, house rules, and utility costs. Poor documentation may accidentally create tenancy rights rather than lodger status.▼ Tap below to read more

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Risks of Having No Written Lodger Agreement

Legal and Practical Risks:

  • Disputes over rent: Without written terms, lodgers can claim you agreed different rent amounts or payment dates.
  • Notice period arguments: No clear notice period means disputes when you want lodger to leave — courts may require longer notice than you intended.
  • Deposit disputes: Without deposit terms in writing, lodgers can dispute deductions, leading to small claims court battles.
  • House rule conflicts: No written rules about guests, noise, cleaning, or shared spaces creates constant friction and arguments.
  • Utility payment confusion: Unclear arrangements about bills, council tax, and utilities lead to non-payment and relationship breakdown.
  • Access confusion: Without access terms, lodgers may claim privacy rights to exclude you from parts of your own home.
  • Accidental tenancy creation: Poor documentation may accidentally create a tenancy rather than lodger status, giving occupier full tenant rights.
  • Tax complications: HMRC Rent-a-Room relief requires proper documentation of the landlord-lodger relationship.

Professional Protection:

A written agreement helps both parties. It proves the lodger is an excluded occupier (not a tenant), documents rent terms, establishes house rules, and provides evidence if disputes arise. Most importantly, it helps reduce the risk of lodgers claiming tenancy rights by clarifying you live in the property and share living space.

A £10 lodger agreement helps avoid expensive disputes and safeguards your home.

Comprehensive documentation covering rent terms, deposit arrangements, house rules, shared space usage, utilities, notice periods, and excluded occupier status confirmation.▼ Tap below to read more

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What's Included in Our Lodger Agreement

Comprehensive Lodger Coverage:

  • ✓ Full party details (landlord and lodger)
  • ✓ Property address and room description
  • ✓ Rent amount, frequency, and payment terms
  • ✓ Deposit amount and deduction circumstances
  • ✓ Notice periods for both parties
  • ✓ House rules (guests, noise, cleaning, smoking)
  • ✓ Shared space arrangements
  • ✓ Utility and bill responsibilities
  • ✓ Internet and TV license provisions
  • ✓ Council tax arrangements
  • ✓ Parking arrangements (if applicable)
  • ✓ Key and access provisions
  • ✓ Landlord's right of access
  • ✓ Excluded occupier status confirmation
  • ✓ Termination provisions
  • ✓ Breach and eviction terms
  • ✓ Data protection statement
  • ✓ Signature blocks

Professional, comprehensive, and designed for resident landlords.

Related documents: Resident landlords taking in lodgers may also need an Inventory & Schedule of Condition.

Avoid critical errors including confusing lodgers with tenants, not documenting resident landlord status, vague notice periods, missing house rules, and unclear utility arrangements.▼ Tap below to read more

Common Lodger Agreement Mistakes to Avoid

Don't Make These Critical Errors:

  • No written agreement: Verbal agreements are recognized legally, but create disputes about terms, notice periods, and deposit deductions.
  • Confusing lodger with tenant: If you don't live in the property or lodger has self-contained accommodation, they're a tenant requiring an AST.
  • Not documenting resident landlord status: You must prove you live in the property to maintain lodger's excluded occupier status.
  • Vague notice periods: Specify exact notice periods — "reasonable notice" causes disputes when you want lodger to leave.
  • No house rules: Without written rules about guests, noise, cleaning, parties, smoking — you'll have constant friction.
  • Unclear bills arrangement: Specify whether rent is inclusive of utilities, internet, council tax or what lodger pays separately.
  • Missing deposit protection statement: Clarify lodger deposits don't need government protection but document deduction terms clearly.
  • Forgetting inventory: Without inventory, you can't prove lodger damaged your property or took items.
  • Rent-a-Room confusion: Document income properly for HMRC — £7,500 tax-free limit applies per property, not per lodger.
  • Allowing exclusive possession: If lodger excludes you from parts of your home, you may accidentally create a tenancy.

Our template helps you avoid these mistakes with proper legal drafting for resident landlords.

⚠️ Before lodger moves in — CRITICAL:

Take deposit and provide written receipt. Complete inventory with lodger present. Exchange keys and document. Confirm house rules verbally. Set up standing order for rent payments. Check right to rent documents. Sign agreement before move-in day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I evict a lodger without a court order?

Yes. Unlike tenants, lodgers are excluded occupiers with no Protection from Eviction Act 1977 rights.

You only need to give reasonable notice (matching the rent payment period), and once that expires, you can change the locks.

No court order, no bailiffs, no possession proceedings required.

Do I need to protect a lodger's deposit?

No. The Housing Act 2004 deposit protection rules only apply to assured shorthold tenancies, not lodger agreements.

However, you should still document the deposit amount, what it covers, and conditions for return to avoid disputes.

How much notice must I give a lodger?

Whatever your agreement states. If no notice period is specified, reasonable notice applies — typically matching the rent payment period.

So weekly rent means one week's notice, monthly rent means one month.

Always give notice in writing.

What's the difference between a lodger and a tenant?

A lodger lives in your home and shares living space with you. A tenant has exclusive possession of their space.

The key test is whether you live in the property as your main home.

Lodgers have far fewer legal protections than tenants.

Can I claim Rent-a-Room tax relief with a lodger?

Yes. The Rent-a-Room scheme lets you earn up to £7,500 per year tax-free from letting a furnished room in your main home.

This applies automatically — you don't need to register.

Income above this threshold is taxable in the normal way.

What if UK law changes after I purchase?

You receive free lifetime updates — no subscription required, no monthly fees, ever.

We monitor UK law changes and update templates accordingly. When we release an updated version, it appears free in your My Templates page. No extra charges. No recurring fees.

Is this really £10 one-time, or will I be charged monthly?

£10 one-time. That's it. No subscriptions, no recurring fees, no "free trial" traps.

Here's what we don't do: Other sites advertise "free templates" — you spend 15 minutes filling one in, then they demand your card for a "free trial" that charges £35–£42/month when you forget to cancel. Worse, many are US-based and won't hold up under UK law. (Read about the scam)

We're different: £10 upfront for the document you actually need. Build it, preview it, pay only when you're happy. Own it forever with free lifetime updates. Based on UK law. No subscription fatigue.

Related Landlord Documents

Resident landlords taking in lodgers typically need these related documents:

Not sure where to start?

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