What is a resident landlord?

A resident landlord is someone who lets a room in a property they also live in as their main or only home. This is different from being an absentee landlord who lets an entire property they do not live in.

The distinction matters enormously in UK law. If you live in the same property as the person renting from you, that person is a lodger — not a tenant. Lodgers have far fewer legal protections than tenants, and landlords have far more flexibility.

A tenant has exclusive possession of their home — the landlord cannot enter without permission and must follow strict rules around eviction, deposits, and repairs. A lodger, by contrast, shares the property with the landlord and does not have exclusive possession.

As a resident landlord you can: evict a lodger with reasonable notice (typically 28 days) without going to court; enter the lodger's room to inspect or clean if agreed; set house rules that would be unenforceable on a tenant; and end the arrangement far more quickly if it is not working.

This flexibility is why many homeowners prefer the lodger model.

For you to be a resident landlord, the property must genuinely be where you live — not a second home or investment property. HMRC and housing law both look at factors like where you sleep, where your belongings are kept, and where you are registered.

If you own multiple properties, only the one you actually live in qualifies.

Legally, most lodgers are excluded occupiers — a category that applies when the landlord lives in the same property. Excluded occupiers have minimal security of tenure, which protects landlords but means lodgers should be clear on what they are agreeing to before they move in.

A well-written lodger agreement explains both parties rights and responsibilities clearly, making disputes far less likely.