Am I a lodger or a tenant — and does it matter?

Yes, it matters a lot. Lodgers have far fewer legal protections than tenants, and the Renters' Rights Act 2025 does not apply to lodgers.

You are a lodger if your landlord lives in the same property as you and you share living spaces — such as the kitchen, bathroom or living room — with them. In this situation you are a "resident landlord" arrangement, and your landlord can ask you to leave with reasonable notice (usually the length of your rental period) without needing a court order.

You are a tenant if you have exclusive possession of a self-contained property — or even a room — where your landlord does not live. In this case you almost certainly have an assured tenancy and the full protections of the Renters' Rights Act apply.

The line can blur in some situations. If you live in a house with your landlord but have your own locked room and don't share common areas, you may have more rights than a typical lodger. The actual arrangement matters more than what your contract calls it.

If you're unsure whether you're a lodger or a tenant, describe your living situation to Citizens Advice (citizensadvice.org.uk). Getting this right determines everything — your notice periods, eviction protections, and deposit rights.