Free Room Rental Contract for London

Free room rental contract for London

If you are renting a room in a home where the landlord also lives, the setup in England is usually a lodger arrangement, not a standard tenancy. Confirm whether the arrangement is a lodger arrangement before using a contract template (GOV.UK lodger guidance, Citizens Advice)

If you already have a draft, compare it with the room rental agreement template and then send it for signature through electronic signature for rental agreements. Use that path only if the landlord lives in the property and the renter shares space such as a kitchen or bathroom (GOV.UK lodger guidance).

Check whether this is really a lodger setup

A lodger is usually someone who rents a room in the landlord’s home while sharing facilities such as the kitchen, bathroom, or living room. That shared setup often means the occupier is a lodger or excluded occupier, which affects notice and eviction rights (GOV.UK lodger guidance, Citizens Advice)

A lodger may have either a tenancy agreement or a licence agreement. The title is not the whole story, and if no length is agreed the arrangement can become periodic (GOV.UK lodger guidance).

Copyable setup check

Use this before you sign:

• The landlord lives in the property
• The renter uses shared spaces
• The room is not a self-contained flat
• The landlord is allowed to take a lodger under the lease or mortgage
• Any superior landlord or lender permission has been checked
• You know whether the arrangement is fixed term or periodic
• The agreement should say what rent and any meals or services are included, and how often rent is paid (GOV.UK lodger guidance, Citizens Advice)

What the contract should say

A written contract is not always required, but official guidance says it is advisable. It helps when there is disagreement about rent, notice, or the condition of the room (GOV.UK resident landlord guide, GOV.UK lodger guidance).

The agreement should cover rent, how often it is paid, the deposit, the length of the arrangement, notice, and any services such as cleaning or meals. It should also say what parts of the home the lodger can use (GOV.UK resident landlord guide).

For payment, standing order is a practical choice because it creates a paper trail. Official guidance also recommends taking references before you sign (GOV.UK resident landlord guide, GOV.UK lodger guidance).

If you are a resident landlord, the Rent a Room Scheme may matter for tax. GOV.UK says the threshold is £7,500 tax-free, or £3,750 if income is shared (GOV.UK Rent a Room Scheme).

Before move in

In England, the landlord must check right to rent for lodgers aged 18 and over before the letting starts, even if there is no written agreement (GOV.UK right to rent checks).

Deposits for lodgers are treated differently from standard assured periodic tenancies, so the usual tenancy deposit protection rules do not apply in the same way. Check the local position before you rely on a standard deposit process (GOV.UK tenancy deposit protection, Portsmouth Council lodger guidance)

Move in checklist

• Check ID for every adult aged 18 and over
• Agree the payment method
• Record the deposit amount
• Take dated photos of the room and shared areas
• Count and list the keys
• Write down shared area rules before move in (Portsmouth Council lodger guidance)

These right-to-rent rules are England only, so do not reuse them unchanged for Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland (GOV.UK lodger guidance, Citizens Advice).

How to sign and store it quickly

A simple workflow is to fill in the room rental contract, review the blanks, send it for signature, and store the signed PDF with the audit certificate. If your file is ready, sign a PDF online can help, and DulySigned can create simple electronic signatures, but it does not provide Aadhaar eSign or a DSC.

Before and after example, example only: a 2 page PDF starts with blank rent, notice, and deposit fields, then becomes a completed agreement with both names, the start date, and signatures on the last page. Keep one signed copy for each side, then save the final PDF in a folder named with the property address and start date.

Common mistakes to avoid

Mistake 1: using an AST style form when the setup is really a lodger arrangement. Fix: confirm the landlord lives there and the room is shared (GOV.UK lodger guidance).

Mistake 2: leaving notice, rent review, or deposit terms vague. Fix: write them into the agreement before anyone signs (GOV.UK resident landlord guide).

Mistake 3: forgetting right to rent checks. Fix: check every adult aged 18 and over before move in (GOV.UK right to rent checks).

Mistake 4: assuming the deposit is protected like a normal tenancy deposit. Treat lodger deposits separately and check the local rules (GOV.UK tenancy deposit protection, Portsmouth Council lodger guidance)

Mistake 5: not checking whether the landlord can take a lodger under the existing lease or mortgage. Fix: get permission first (Citizens Advice).

FAQ

Do I need a written room rental contract in London?

Not always, but official guidance says it is advisable to have one. A written agreement makes the rent, notice, and shared space rules easier to prove if there is a dispute (GOV.UK resident landlord guide).

Is a lodger the same as a tenant?

No. A lodger usually lives in the landlord’s home and shares facilities, so the legal position is usually different from a standard tenant (GOV.UK lodger guidance).

Can a lodger be evicted without court?

Often yes, if the agreement or notice period ends. Shelter says lodgers can be evicted without a court order, but you should check the facts of your case and get local legal advice (Shelter).

Do I need to protect a lodger’s deposit?

Usually not under the same deposit protection rules that apply to assured periodic tenancies. Check the local rules and write the deposit terms clearly into the agreement (Portsmouth Council lodger guidance)