Letting if you are a home owner
This content applies to Scotland only.
Housing laws vary between Scotland and England. Get advice relating to England
This section explains how to go about taking in a lodger or letting your home if you are a home owner. You'll probably have to get permission from your mortgage lender, and you'll need to check whether it will affect your tax and/or welfare benefits. It's also important to understand the responsibilities of being a landlord.
Taking in a lodger
A lodger is someone who rents a room in your home and who may share the bathroom, kitchen and/or living room with you.
Letting your home
If you rent out the whole of your home to someone else, this is called letting. The person who pays you rent is a tenant.
Rent and deposits
The amount of rent you can ask your lodger or tenant to pay normally depends on what private landlords charge for similar rooms or properties in your area. In addition, you can ask your tenant to pay a deposit.
Tenancy agreements
A tenancy agreement is a contract between you and your tenant or lodger, setting out the terms and conditions of their stay in your property.
Landlord's responsibilities
If you take in a lodger or rent out your home, you will have responsibilities as the landlord. The rights of your tenant will depend on the type of tenancy they have.
What if I lose my home?
If you fall behind with your mortgage payments, your lender may repossess your home. If the lender has given you permission to take in a lodger or sublet your home, your tenant's position will be lawful and they will have certain rights, even if your home is repossessed and you no longer own the property.
