When trying to find short-term accommodation anywhere in our advertised locations, you will come across specific legal terms and housing related terms that can be confusing for first time tenants. The legalities are just there to protect you, but it is important to familiarise yourself with certain terms and phrases so you know what you are letting yourself in for.

Lasts for a period of at least 6 months and is the most popular form of tenancy in the UK. Most common as the landlord can end the agreement with ease after giving notice to the tenant.

Unless your landlord can find good reasons to evict you in front of a court, this protects you by giving you the right to remain in your property.

In a bedsit, your bedroom and living space are in a single room. Likely to share a kitchen and bathroom with other tenants.

Insurance which covers the structure of the building itself, should it suffer any damage. See Contents Insurance and Room Contents Insurance.

The buying of a property specifically for the purpose of renting it out to other tenants.

The buying of a property for the purpose of renting out one or more rooms to tenants to help pay the mortgage of the property. A growing trend that can be made easier by finding lenders that offer specialist mortgages for a ‘buy to share’ purpose.

The buying of a property with someone else in order to afford a property that would otherwise be out of your price range. Generally, the other person is not your partner.

Insurance that covers what is inside your home rather than the building itself (see Buildings Insurance) for example, clothing, personal possessions and any furnishings.

A single house which has been converted into two or more flats.

An amount of money taken at the start of your tenancy to cover losses in case of damage or rent arrears. This sum is usually one month’s rent taken by your landlord or letting agency.

A house which is completely separate from neighbouring houses.

Formerly owned by the council, this usually refers to purpose built blocks of flats.

This is a property that occupies part of a larger structure of a building. Flats can be found in converted houses or can be purpose built blocks of flats.

The person who you share your flat with. In some cases you may have more than one flatmate, or in the case of a house, these will be your housemates.

This is a property that you share with more than one other person where each individual has their own bedroom, though in some cases bedrooms can be shared.

A flat with its own set of stairs within the flat itself which may or may not have its own front door on a street-level.

This is a term used to describe lettings that do not last the duration of a week. For example, a tenant may have an on-going fractional letting in which they live in a property Monday to Friday but vacate it at the weekend.

A flat with access to a garden.

A term used to describe smaller flats, often with their own front door, located on the highest levels or at the back of a main block of flats.

A house refers to an entire property, however, one house may contain more than one flat

A floating house is a dwelling often converted from a boat that generally sits on a canal.

This stands for House in Multiple Occupation which describes properties that are shared by more than one person.

This insurance is specifically for the landlord’s needs and covers a multiple of issues such as damage and emergency re-housing of tenants. This type of insurance is only offered by particular companies.

A landlord that lives in the property that they themselves own and rent out one room or more to tenants whilst they live there as well.

A landlord who rents out a property to other tenants without living in the accommodation themselves.

A lodger generally lives in a house with a live-in landlord and rents one or more rooms in the property.

This refers to a rented room in a house that is generally owned by a live-in landlord.

Usually have an open plan layout with high ceilings and windows as they are located often in former industrial buildings.

Refers to a very large house that is converted into purpose built flats that are often large and expensive.

Converted stables that are often accompanied by a garage on the ground floor with living space above it.

This refers to those who rely on state benefits to pay rent. No DSS means the accommodation will not be available to persons in that position.

Refers to the wall that separates two properties in a block of flats or semi-detached house.

Per calendar month

Per week

Often the most desired flat and the most expensive. The penthouse is located on the top floor of multi-storey buildings with great views and far away from noise pollution from the street or noisy upstairs neighbours.

This describes flats that were built with the intention of being such as opposed to a conversion.

This government scheme enables you to earn a maximum of £4,250 a year (tax free) by taking in a lodger.

Refers to an insurance policy designed to cover persons who rent a room within a property. This may not cover portable items such as laptops and mobile phones.

This refers to short-term lettings that cover a short period of the year, for example summer. This is popular amongst young people who travel to find work during the summer months.

Describes two houses that are joined together.

Refers to persons living in a shared property together.

Find a flatmate using the speed dating format.

A studio is often an open plan space with a single room with cooking space, living space and sleeping area with its own bathroom.

A complicated arrangement whereby an existing tenant lets out part or all of the property to another tenant.

A contract, which is often written, stipulating the rights of both the tenant and the landlord which is then signed and agreed upon by both parties.

Refers to a government scheme designed to protect deposits taken by landlords.

A person who pays rent and occupies a room that is owned by a landlord.

A house that is conjoined to other properties in a row. Each house is separated by shared party walls.

Describes a style of house within a city that features 3 or more floors.

This describes a block of flats that are accessed via their own individual front doors from outside.