A lodger is someone who shares a home with the main household. Tenants can take in lodgers without asking our permission, provided they do not overcrowd their property.

Tenants also have the right to sublet part, but not all, of their property although they must get our written permission first. A subtenant is someone who has the sole right to occupy part of a home and lives separately from the main household. Tenants are not able to sublet the whole of their home.

Any arrangement to take in lodgers or sublet part of their home is a private one and we will not get involved in any disputes. Lodgers and subtenants do not have the same rights as tenants and they must leave when the tenancy ends.

If Housing Benefit is being received, any tenant wishing to take in a lodger of sub tenant must contact our Benefits and Revenues Service beforehand as this will affect their benefit entitlement.

For more information, please go to Your rights as a secure council tenant web page. For information for leaseholders on letting your property please go to Letting, losing or selling your property web page.