Only ‘secure tenants’ will be allowed to take in a lodger or sublet part of their home. If you are still an ‘introductory tenant’ you are not permitted to sub-let your property or take in lodgers.
Taking in a lodger?
If you are a secure tenant, you may accommodate a lodger(s). Lodgers are treated as a member of your household under the terms of your Tenancy Agreement. If you have paying lodgers at your home, your benefit may be affected. Before taking in a lodger you should consider the following:
- you must be a ‘secure tenant’
- if you receive additional income from a lodger, your benefits will be affected
- a lodger will not have tenancy rights
- if a lodger engages in behaviour which is a nuisance or which results in a deterioration in the condition of the property; your tenancy will be at risk and you will be responsible for the behaviour of the lodger
- If taking in a lodger(s) results in overcrowding at the property this may constitute a statutory nuisance under public health legislation
For further information please contact your housing officer.
Thinking of subletting part of your home
If you are a secure tenant, you can apply to Apex for permission to sublet any part of your dwelling
For your application to be considered you must:
- be a ‘secure tenant’;
- submit your request in writing to Apex;
- be living in the property as your main home; and
- only sub-let a portion of the property (not the whole property).
Apex will normally give permission to sublet provided it would not cause overcrowding. We may not give permission if we are planning to carry out any work that would affect the property to be occupied by the sub-tenant or if your house has been designed for a special cause (e.g. group housing).