Renting with a partner or housemates

A tenancy agreement lists the rules and responsibilities you and other tenants need to follow. So the first thing to check is how your name is listed on it:

You might have your own tenancy agreement if you rent: 

• a room in a shared house, or 
• an entire property yourself.  

This means you’re responsible for your agreed rent and any damage.  

If you have a lodger or sublet the property to other tenants, you’ll still need to pay all the rent if they have stopped paying or moved out. You could also lose your deposit for any damage caused, even if you didn’t cause it. 

If all your names are on the agreement, you usually share the responsibilities equally. This is known as a joint tenancy or joint contract. 

This means your landlord could ask you to pay for someone else’s rent if they fail to pay. You might also need permission from everyone you rent with to move out early. 

If you rent but someone else is named on the tenancy agreement, you’re not legally responsible for paying the rent or any damage. This might happen if you’re: 

• a lodger – living and sharing space with your landlord
• renting from another tenant rather than the landlord (called subletting), or
• living in someone else’s home – like a family member or partner. 

But the person named on the tenancy can also: 

• ask you to leave with little or no notice, or
• end the entire tenancy without asking you.

You might be able to stay in the home, but you’ll usually need to go to court unless you’re married to the person named on the tenancy.

For more information, see: 

• Renting and separation if you’re married or in a civil partnership
• Your right to stay in a rented home if you’re not married

Your tenancy agreement will list if any bills are included as part of your normal rental payment. If not, it’s your responsibility to decide how you’re going to pay the bills.  

These usually include:

• energy (gas and/or electricity)
• water
• Council Tax or Rates
• internet
• TV Licence (if you watch live TV)
• contents insurance.

At least one person needs to be named on each account, known as the bill payer.  

Decide who this is going to be and the account they’ll use to pay. Only consider a joint account with someone you trust – you’d have no rights if the other person spent all the money. This also links your credit profiles, which could damage your credit score. 

Everyone can then set up a standing order so the money is automatically moved over before the bills are due.

Completing a budget is an easy way to help keep track of your money – our easy to use Budget planner can help.  

You could decide to split the bills: 

• equally – so everyone pays the same amount
• based on other factors, such as:
  • income
  • room size
  • usage (if someone uses a service more than others). 

There are many free bill splitting apps that can help you work it out. Search your app store and check out the reviews.

If you decide to put your name on the account, you’ll be responsible for paying that bill on time – even if others haven’t paid you their share.  

To help, agree what would happen if someone couldn’t pay before becoming a bill payer, ideally in writing. This might stop you from needing to go to court to claim your money back. See managing disputes between tenants for more information.  

You can’t be named as a bill payer without your permission, this is fraud. See help if someone has opened an account in your name.

If you’re a bill payer, many household bills will be recorded on your credit file. This is helpful if you always pay on time as a good credit score can mean you qualify for:

• cheaper borrowing – such as lower mortgage or loan rates, and
• a wider range of products – like credit cards and bank accounts.   

But missing a payment will usually damage your credit rating for years. You might also have to pay late fees.  

If you're worried you'll miss a payment, contact your provider and ask for help. They might offer you a more affordable repayment plan, for example. See talking to your creditor for more help.

Unless someone else takes care of certain bills, like a ‘bills included’ contract, you’re free to choose your own providers.

You don’t normally need your landlord’s permission to switch unless you’re having anything physically installed, like a new fibre broadband connection.

See how to save money on household bills for more help. It’s also worth checking if you qualify for a Council Tax or RatesOpens in a new window discount.

If you have a disagreement, try to sit down with everyone to discuss the issue (if you feel comfortable to). You could refer to your tenancy agreement for the list of rules and responsibilities you all agreed to.

Make an agenda and write down your points so nothing is missed. Hopefully you can all easily agree on a resolution – the person you think is at fault might not have realised or can explain why it’s happened.

See how to have a conversation about money for practical tips. If that doesn’t work, you could ask to involve your landlord or letting agent. 

To speak to an adviser about your situation, find details of free helplines below:

You can also find details of local advisers at AdvicelocalOpens in a new window