In short
Before you agree to a room, ask about the rent and what it includes, the deposit, notice on both sides, house rules on guests and quiet hours, who else lives there, and how the kitchen and bathroom are shared. A good host will be glad you asked.
Money questions
- What does the rent include? Bills, broadband, meals?
- How much is the deposit and when is it returned?
- How and when is rent paid?
Living together
- Who else lives here, and are there pets?
- Can friends or a partner visit, or stay over?
- When is it usually quiet?
- Which kitchen shelves and bathroom times are mine?
The arrangement
- How much notice do we each give?
- How much notice do we each give?
- Is anything in the house off limits?
Red flags
Be careful if the host won’t let you view, asks for money first, wants to move to WhatsApp straight away, or rushes you. See our guide to avoiding rental scams.
Common questions
- Is it rude to ask about notice?
- Not at all. It’s one of the most useful questions you can ask, and it should be in the written arrangement.
- Should I meet the household?
- If you can. Meeting other people who live there tells you a lot about daily life.
- Can I ask for the agreement in writing?
- Yes. On laba, a lodger agreement in the owner's home is written down and confirmed by both of you. If you're renting from a landlord, ask for a written tenancy agreement.
Official sources
We checked this guide against these sources. Rules change, so check them for the latest position.
This is general information, not legal or tax advice. For advice about your situation, contact Citizens Information, Threshold or a solicitor.
Ready to find the right fit?
Listing a room and searching on laba are both free, and you can agree everything in writing in the app.