Lodger
- Where a tenant resides with the owner this describes a landlord and lodger tenancy.
- This is not an AST and offers least protection from eviction and simultaneously more protection to the resident owner, whose interests in such a home are paramount.
- To evict a tenant only reasonable notice need be given - but it must be in writing.
- Following the tenant notice expiring the landlord will normally be permitted to change the locks should he wish to.
- This said should the tenant leave any or all possessions behind the owner resident landlord must adhere to the legislation on returning the ex-tenants possessions and not treat them as his own. See (Torts) Interference with goods Act 1977.
- The above scenario is in contrast to an owner who lives elsewhere - other than at the tenant's home and is thus deemed to have a secure home and requires less protection. This owner needs less protection than the resident landlord. The tenant in this second situation has more protection and is likely to have an AST agreement.
Published: 10 November 2013
Last Updated: 17 November 2021