Lodgers and subletting your council home

This page explains the rules for taking in a lodger or subletting part of your council home, including when you need our permission.

Taking in a lodger

A lodger is someone who lives in your home and pays you rent. They usually have their own bedroom but share other areas of the property with you.

As a council tenant, you may take in a lodger if:

• the total number of people living in the property does not exceed the property's capacity
• the property remains your main residence
• you carry out Right to Rent checks if required by law
• you take responsibility for your lodger's behaviour while they live in your home

Subletting your property

Subletting is when you rent part of your home to another person while you continue to live there as the council tenant. Unlike a lodger, a subtenant has their own rented part of the property.

The rules about subletting your council home depend on the type of tenancy you have.

If you have a secure tenancy

You can ask for permission to sublet part of your home.

You must:

• get our written permission before anyone moves in
• only sublet part of the property
• continue living in the property as your main residence

How to request permission

Write to us to request permission to sublet. You should include:

• the part of the property you want to sublet
• who will be living there
• when you would like the arrangement to begin
• confirmation that you will continue to live in the property as your main residence

Wait until you receive written permission from us before making any arrangements.

If you have an introductory or demoted tenancy

You cannot sublet any part of your home. 

If you want someone to live with you, you may be able to take in a lodger instead. See the guidance above.

If you are a leaseholder

Different rules apply to leaseholders. See Subletting your leasehold property for more information.