If you rent a council home and have a secure tenancy, here’s what you need to know:

What you can do:

• You can let a lodger live with you. A lodger shares your home with you and your family.
• You can rent out part of your home to a sub-tenant, but you must ask the council first and get written permission.

What you can’t do:

• You must still live in your home as your main place to live.
• You are responsible for how your lodger or sub-tenant behaves.
• If you don’t have a secure tenancy, you are not allowed to have a lodger or sub-tenant.

What is unlawful subletting?

This means:

• You move out of your council home
• Someone else lives there instead
• They pay you rent

This is not allowed.

The council checks every case and can take legal action to get the home back.