Renting in the UK is not as simple as it once was. The old model of renting with a landlord has given way to several new, more complex methods that create added difficulties for everyone involved.

Landlords have various options available when it comes to renting out their property. The different types of tenancies come with benefits for both the landlord and the tenant.

Here Are Some Of The Different Types Of Renting One May Encounter In The Uk Today

Lodgings:

The word lodger refers to someone who pays for a room but may also have meals included in the price they pay if this was agreed upon when they moved in.

The arrangement is not very common, but some landlords rent their properties on a bed and breakfast basis. This means that lodgers can rent bedrooms but will be required to prepare their own meals in a communal kitchen. 

In other cases, tenants may use an existing or shared bathroom rather than one within their bedroom. This type of lodger agreement is often used by students who want accommodation near university campuses, where suitable student housing is scarce. 

It also provides an opportunity for lodgers looking for affordable accommodation in central areas of cities.

Private Tenancies:

This is the most common type of tenancy agreement and can be either for a fixed term or an open-ended length of time. The difference between these types of tenancy agreements is that if a property has been rented for a fixed term, the landlord cannot evict the tenant without good reason normally because this would break the contract. 

For example, tenants cannot be asked to leave without giving them at least two months’ written notice in an Assured Shorthold Tenancy (AST). If you own the property, then tenants will need to sign an AST – it’s important that both parties understand what these mean as it could help avoid disputes later down the line. Other laws protect tenants, such as right-to-rent immigration checks – which landlords must follow.

This means that tenants could live in a property for years and refuse to move out unless the landlord takes legal action against them by demonstrating one of the grounds for eviction listed within section 8 of the Protection from Eviction Act 1977.

However, if it’s an open-ended rental agreement, normally there is no endpoint set, and therefore, tenants are subject to periodic or even rolling short term tenancy agreements. 

In this case, the landlord can evict them if they have a good reason to do so without having to go through any legal procedures as long as they serve the correct notice period. Most commonly, this is two weeks’ notice but may vary depending on what was agreed within the rental contract.

The growth of the institutional Private Rented Sector is seeing unprecedented volumes of capital flowing into the sector. As a result, longer-established landlords are looking more into portfolio acquisitions.

Council Tenancies:

If you rent your home from a local council or agency, then it is likely that you will fall under a different category as far as tenancies are concerned. 

This is because councils across Britain operate their own policies with regard to renting accommodation. More often than not, tenants living in this type of housing cannot terminate their tenancy agreement early unless with permission from their landlords; however, councils do offer some options such as transferring tenancy agreements to another tenant. 

You can find out your different options by contacting your local authority or speaking to a solicitor who specialises in housing law.

Airbnb:

Airbnb is a very well-known online service that allows hosts to rent out their homes or rooms to others. A person can rent a place for a certain amount of time and provides services such as breakfast and an en-suite bathroom. 

People who list properties on Airbnb may need planning permission depending on the area in which they live and the type of property. This could put them at more risk, especially if there were complaints from neighbours about noisy guests. 

As with lodgers, if you don’t want to get into disputes, then it’s best to get them to sign some written agreement stating what they expect from each other and how much notice they both need if anyone wants to leave without giving any reason.

Employment-Related Tenancies:

Suppose you rent your property to somebody because of their employment with you; for example, if you’re an employer and one of your employees lives in the rental property provided by you, then under normal circumstances. 

In that case, there are additional rules that apply when it comes to eviction. For example, if an employee’s service has come to an end, then they don’t have the authority to reside at the property, and they must leave. 

However, this does not affect how long they have lived in the property, and if they have been there for more than six months, 

They Will Be Afforded Additional Rights And Can Only Be Evicted For One Of Four Reasons:

1. Possession of another property that is more suitable for the employee.

2. To return to the UK or elsewhere to live.

3. For repairs or renovations to be carried out in order to put the property back into a state suitable for occupation.

4. The owner intends to live there themselves. However, any ‘intention’ on behalf of the landlord must exist before the tenancy began in order for this reason apply, so if you’ve let your house and moved abroad and intend it to be used as an investment property without living in it. 

However, tenants who have resided there for over six months would still benefit from tenancy rights and can’t be evicted unless one of these reasons apply:

• Either because he or she has found alternative accommodation – which the tenant must move into rather than staying put and paying rent on both
• Or because you’ve confirmed your intention to return within a reasonable timeframe, e.g. less than two years; 
• Or because the repairs/renovations require it to be re-occupied and there is no other suitable accommodation, and that tenants aren’t expected to carry out the renovations themselves.

In Conclusion

Renting out your property can be a difficult process because there are so many legal restrictions. The government has made it easier for landlords to find tenants by encouraging individuals and groups to come forward with spare rooms or living space, but they must ensure that the tenants will not disturb their neighbours.