Letting rooms in your home

Letting rooms in your home can be a useful way to get extra income. However, if you are letting or thinking of letting part of your home it is important to understand your obligations.

Rights of landlord and tenant

In law, a resident landlord letting is one where the landlord and the tenant live in the same building. This includes conversions where they live in different parts of the same property, however long ago the property was converted.

Whether you are a landlord or tenant, it is vital that you are aware of your legal rights and obligations. The law protects both parties and does not permit you to take the law into your own hands - irrespective of the circumstances. Anyone letting, selling or managing premises must comply with the following legislation:

The Disability Discrimination Act
The Sex Discrimination Act
The Race Relations Act

If you are in doubt about anything, seek legal advice.

What is the landlord responsible for?

repairs to the structure and exterior of the property, heating and hot water systems, basins, sinks, baths and other sanitaryware
the safety of gas and electrical appliances
the fire safety of furniture and furnishings provided under the tenancy
ensuring that the property is fit for habitation
repairing and keeping in working order the room and water heating equipment
the common areas in multi-occupancy dwellings

For more information for landlords, please check the link below:

Advice for landlords - NIHE website

The landlord is also obliged by law, to provide the tenant with a rent book free of charge and a statement of tenancy terms within 28 days of the tenancy commencing.

In addition, the landlord is entitled to reasonable access tp the property to inspect and carry out repairs.

Landlords can find out more about the Private Tenancies Order 2006 by clicking on the link below: