Excluded occupier
A lodger or similar occupier with minimal eviction protection.
2 min read · Updated 2 August 2026
Overview
An excluded occupier — most commonly a lodger sharing living accommodation with a resident landlord — is not an assured tenant and can be asked to leave with reasonable notice without a court order. Getting the status wrong and evicting a genuine tenant is a criminal offence.
Legal requirements
- Exclusion depends on genuine sharing of living accommodation with the landlord or their family.
- Even excluded occupiers are entitled to reasonable notice.
Practical guidance
- Put the arrangement in a written lodger agreement and record the shared rooms.
This wiki entry is general information for UK landlords and letting agents, not legal advice. Rules differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland — check your local requirements or take advice before acting.