This page provides a quick summary. For full detail, please read the full policy below.
This policy explains how we deal with requests from residents who want to have a lodger or subtenant living in their home. We aim to deal with requests fairly and quickly, while making sure we follow the law and protect everyone’s rights.
The policy applies to general needs and supported housing tenants, shared owners and leaseholders.
Who cannot take in a lodger or sublet?
You cannot take in a lodger or sublet your home if you live in:
- Temporary housing
- Key worker accommodation
- Student lets
- Market rent or intermediate market rent homes
- Short‑term or licence accommodation (for example specialist support housing)
Holiday lets (such as Airbnb) are not allowed, as this is classed as running a business from home.
What do we mean by…
- Lodger: someone who shares all the facilities in your home and does not have their own separate living space. They have a licence agreement with you.
- Subtenant: someone who has exclusive use of part or all of your home and has a tenancy agreement with you.
- House sitter: someone who stays in your home while you’re temporarily away and does not pay rent.
Taking in a lodger
Whether you can take in a lodger depends on your tenancy or lease:
- Secure tenants can take in a lodger and do not need our permission, but must tell us who the lodger is.
- Assured and assured non‑shorthold tenants can usually take in a lodger but should check their agreement to see if they need written permission first. We won’t unreasonably refuse this.
- Assured shorthold tenants must check their agreement and may need our written consent.
- Leaseholders can normally take in a lodger, as long as this does not break the terms of their lease.
Subletting your home
Tenants: From 1 May 2026, tenants are no longer allowed to sublet part of their home. Any earlier permissions to do this no longer apply. Subletting without permission may be treated as tenancy fraud.
Shared owners: Shared owners may be allowed to sublet all of their home in exceptional circumstances, such as:
- Temporary work or caring responsibilities
- Armed Forces deployment
- After the death of a shared owner
- When the home cannot be sold due to major works or cladding issues
Subletting is time‑limited and usually agreed for around 12 months, with longer periods considered only in exceptional cases.
Leaseholders: Subletting depends on the wording of your individual lease. Where consent is needed, we will not unreasonably refuse it, and an administration fee may apply.
What we consider before giving permission
We may refuse permission if:
- The home would become overcrowded
- There are safeguarding or anti‑social behaviour concerns
- Major works are planned
- You are subject to a possession order
If permission is given, we will ask for basic information such as ID, details of the arrangement, and rent being charged.