Glossary

Renting a room can feel like learning a whole new language. From deposits to tenancy agreements, there's a lot of jargon to get your head around. We've put together this handy glossary to explain the terms you'll come across, whether you're looking for a place to live or renting out a room in your home.

Deposit

A sum of money paid upfront by the tenant to the landlord, held as security against damage to the property or unpaid rent. In the UK, deposits for assured shorthold tenancies must be protected in a government-approved tenancy deposit scheme within 30 days of receipt.

Lodger

A person who rents a room in a property where the landlord also lives. Lodgers typically have fewer legal rights than tenants and often share communal spaces like the kitchen and bathroom with the landlord.

Landlord

The property owner or their appointed agent who rents out accommodation to tenants or lodgers. The landlord is responsible for maintaining the property, ensuring it meets safety standards, and protecting any deposits taken.

Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST)

The most common form of tenancy agreement in England and Wales, typically used when renting privately from a landlord who doesn't live in the property. ASTs provide tenants with certain legal protections and usually run for a minimum of six months.

Notice Period

The amount of time either the tenant or landlord must give before ending a tenancy agreement. Notice periods vary depending on the type of tenancy and the terms of the agreement, but typically range from one to two months.

House Share

An arrangement where multiple unrelated individuals rent separate rooms in the same property, sharing communal areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, and living room. Each person may have their own tenancy agreement or be part of a joint tenancy.

References

Background checks required by landlords before accepting a tenant, typically including employment verification, previous landlord references, and sometimes credit checks. References help landlords assess whether a prospective tenant is likely to pay rent reliably and maintain the property.

Bills Included

A rental arrangement where the cost of utilities (such as electricity, gas, water, and internet) is included in the monthly rent, rather than being paid separately by the tenant. This arrangement simplifies budgeting but may be slightly more expensive overall.

Inventory

A detailed list and photographic record of the property's contents and condition at the start of a tenancy. Both landlord and tenant should sign the inventory, which is used at the end of the tenancy to determine whether any damage has occurred or items are missing.

Right to Rent

A legal requirement in England that requires landlords to check that all tenants aged 18 or over have the legal right to rent property in the UK. Landlords must verify and keep copies of documents proving identity and immigration status before the tenancy begins. Learn more about right to rent checks on GOV.UK.

Joint Tenancy

An agreement where two or more tenants share equal responsibility for the entire property and rent. All tenants are jointly and severally liable, meaning if one person doesn't pay their share, the others are legally responsible for covering it. This is common in house shares where everyone signs the same tenancy agreement.

Individual Tenancy

A rental agreement where each tenant has their own separate contract with the landlord, typically for a specific room in a shared house. Unlike a joint tenancy, you're only responsible for your own rent and not liable if other housemates fail to pay theirs.

Guarantor

A person, usually a parent or close relative, who agrees to pay the rent if the tenant is unable to. Landlords often require guarantors for students, young professionals, or anyone without a strong credit history or sufficient income. The guarantor must usually be a UK homeowner and will need to provide proof of income.

Viewing

An appointment to visit and inspect a property before deciding whether to rent it. Viewings give you the chance to see the condition of the room and property, meet potential housemates or the landlord, and ask questions about the tenancy. It's always recommended to view a property in person before committing.

Rolling Contract

A tenancy agreement that continues on a month-to-month basis after the initial fixed term has ended. Also known as a periodic tenancy, this arrangement offers more flexibility as either party can usually end the tenancy with one month's notice, though terms may vary.

Break Clause

A provision in a tenancy agreement that allows either the landlord or tenant to end the contract early, before the fixed term expires. Break clauses typically require a specific notice period and can only be activated after a certain period, such as six months into a 12-month tenancy.

Holding Deposit

A small payment made to reserve a property while reference checks and paperwork are completed. Since the Tenant Fees Act 2019, holding deposits are capped at one week's rent and must be returned or put towards the tenancy deposit within 15 days unless specific circumstances apply.

Council Tax

A local tax charged by councils to fund local services. Whether you pay council tax depends on your living situation. Full-time students are usually exempt, and in some house shares, all occupants may share the bill. In properties with a resident landlord, the landlord is typically responsible for council tax.

Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)

A document that shows how energy efficient a property is, rated from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient). Landlords must provide an EPC to prospective tenants, and since 2020, rental properties must have a minimum rating of E unless they have a valid exemption. Find out more about Energy Performance Certificates.

Section 21 Notice

A legal notice that allows landlords to end an assured shorthold tenancy without providing a reason, as long as they give at least two months' notice. This is often called a "no-fault eviction" and can only be served after the initial fixed term has ended or during a rolling contract.

HMO (House in Multiple Occupation)

A property rented out to three or more people from more than one household who share facilities like a kitchen or bathroom. Many HMOs require special licensing from the local council, and landlords must meet specific safety standards including fire safety regulations and minimum room sizes. Check HMO licensing requirements for more information.

Rent in Advance

Payment of the first month's rent before moving into the property, typically paid alongside the deposit. Some landlords may request multiple months' rent in advance, particularly from tenants without a UK credit history, though there are usually limits on how much can be requested upfront.

Utilities

Essential services needed to run a home, including electricity, gas, water, and internet. In some rentals, utilities are included in the rent, while in others tenants must set up and pay for these services separately. Make sure you're clear on what's included before signing a tenancy agreement.

Flatmate

A person who shares a flat or house with you, typically with separate bedrooms but shared communal spaces. The term is commonly used in the UK and is often searched by people looking for compatible housemates. Unlike lodgers, flatmates usually have equal tenancy rights and don't live with the landlord.

Studio Flat

A self-contained living space that combines a bedroom, living area, and kitchen into one open-plan room, with a separate bathroom. Studio flats are popular with single renters seeking privacy and independence, though they're typically more expensive per square foot than room rentals in shared accommodation.

Professional House Share

A shared living arrangement specifically for working professionals rather than students. These house shares often attract young professionals who want tidy, quiet environments with like-minded housemates. They may have stricter house rules and higher rental costs than student accommodation.

En-suite Room

A bedroom with its own private bathroom attached, offering more privacy than sharing communal facilities. En-suite rooms command higher rents but are popular with renters who value personal space and convenience, particularly in busy house shares with multiple occupants.

Rental Affordability

The relationship between rental costs and a tenant's income, with the general recommendation being that rent should not exceed 30-35% of your gross monthly income. Understanding rental affordability helps tenants budget effectively and is a key consideration for landlords when assessing applications and setting competitive rent prices.

Women-Only House Share

A shared living arrangement exclusively for female tenants. Women-only house shares provide a safe, comfortable environment for those who prefer living with other women, whether for cultural, religious, or personal preference reasons. These arrangements are particularly popular among young professionals, students, and women new to an area who value the security and sense of community that comes from female-only accommodation.

Spare Room

An available bedroom in an existing household that the landlord or current tenants are looking to rent out. Searching for a spare room is one of the most common ways people find accommodation in house shares, as it allows you to move into an established household with existing housemates and without the commitment of renting an entire property.

Move-in Date

The date when a new tenant can officially begin living in the property and their tenancy agreement starts. Some properties are available immediately while others have future move-in dates. Being flexible with your move-in date can increase your options when searching for accommodation, though landlords often try to minimize void periods between tenants.

All Bills Included

A rental arrangement where all utility costs and often council tax and internet are included in the monthly rent price. This "all-inclusive" option is popular in house shares as it simplifies budgeting, avoids disputes over bill splitting, and means you pay one fixed amount each month regardless of usage. It's particularly convenient for short-term renters or those new to an area.

Pet-Friendly House Share

A shared accommodation where pets are allowed, either because the landlord permits them or existing housemates have pets. Pet-friendly rentals are less common and often require additional deposits or higher rent, but they're essential for tenants who own cats, dogs, or other animals and don't want to be separated from their pets.

Minimum Stay

The shortest period of time a landlord will accept a tenant for, commonly ranging from one month for flexible arrangements to six or twelve months for standard tenancies. Understanding the minimum stay requirement is crucial when searching for accommodation, especially if you need short-term housing, are a student, or have a temporary work contract in an area.

Sub-let

An arrangement where an existing tenant rents out their room to someone else, either temporarily or permanently, while they remain responsible for the original tenancy agreement. Sub-letting requires the landlord's written permission and without it could be a breach of your tenancy agreement. It's commonly used when tenants need to leave temporarily for work, travel, or personal reasons but want to keep their room.

Short-let

A rental agreement for a brief period, typically ranging from a few weeks to a few months, rather than the standard six or twelve-month tenancy. Short-lets are ideal for people in temporary work placements, between permanent homes, or visiting an area for a fixed period. They often come furnished and may have higher monthly rates than long-term rentals due to the flexibility and convenience they offer.