Flatshare terms

Flatshare listings are full of confusing terms and jargon and, especially if you're not used to them, they can be a little confusing at times. Here's a quick guide to some of the phrases you're most likely to find in a flatshare listing. For a full list see Spareroom.co.uk's Flatshare Glossary.

Bedsit

Single room accomodation which serves as a bedroom and living space in one. Generally sharing a bathroom and/or kitchen with others. Abbreviation of 'bed sitting room'.

Bills included

Means utilities such as gas, electricity and water are included in the rent. Council tax and other bills such as phone or broadband may be included but check in advance which bills are covered.

Buddy up

Seen a 2 bed+ flat or house you like but can't afford it on your own? Why not club together with friends or like-minded people on spareroom and start your own flat or house share? To find out what implications this has in terms of tenancy agreements etc, see our guide to buddying up.

Bungalow

A single storey house.

Buy to let

The term used to describe buying a property with the specific intention of renting it out rather than living in it.

Contents insurance

A policy covering your personal posessions, clothes, furniture etc as opposed to Buildings insurance which covers the structure itself. See also Room contents insurance.

Contract

A written agreement between the tenant(s) and landlord, signed by both parties, setting out the terms of the tenancy. See 'Tenancy agreement'.

Conversion

Refers to a house which has been divided to make 2 or more flats.

Cottage

Generally refers to smaller rural properties.

Deposit

A fixed sum taken by landlords/letting agents at the start of a tenancy to cover reasonable losses (rent arrears, damage etc.). See also 'Tenancy deposit scheme'.

Detached

Refers to a house which is completely separate from its neighbours.

Double room

This applies to the size of the room and means a room that has, or can fit, a double bed.

Ex-local authority

Refers to a property which was formerly owned by the council. Often, especially in London, this refers to purpose built blocks of flats.

Flat

Generally refers to a property occupying only part of a building, known as an apartment in the US. Blocks of flats can be purpose built or in converted houses.

Flatmate, Flat mate, Flatmates, Flat mates

A term mainly used in the UK and Australia to describe someone who shares the flat or apartment with you. Generally housemate is used when the property is a house.

Flatshare, Flat share

Sharing a property (usually a flat) with one or more people where each person usually has their own bedroom. See also 'Houseshare'.

Garden flat

Literally a flat with a garden.

House

Usually refers to a whole property. One house can contain several flats.

Houseshare, House share

Sharing a house with one ore more people. See also 'Flatshare'.

Inventory

Some landlords/agents ask tenants to sign an inventory at the same time as their contract. This is a list of all the fixtures and fittings in the room and their current condition. Always check carefully and report any mistakes or ommissions BEFORE signing. Once signed, this document provides proof to protect both the tenant and the landlord when inspecting the room on moving out.

Live-in landlord

A homeowner who rents out one or more rooms in their property whilst living there themselves.

Live-out landlord

A landlord who rents a property they do not live in themselves.

Lodger

A lodger is a tenant who rents a room (or rooms) in another's house, usually from a Live in landlord.

Maisonette

A flat on two levels with internal stairs and/or it's own street-level front door.

Master bedroom

Usually the biggest bedroom in a property.

Mews

Mews are traditionally rows of former stables converted into residential properties. The ground floor stable area is generally a garage and the living quarters (which would have housed the ostler) are above.

No DSS

Not available to those reliant on state benefits to pay their rent.

Pcm

Per calendar month.

Purpose built

Refers to a collection of flats built as such rather than a conversion.

Pw

Per week.

Room contents insurance

A specific policy to cover those who rent a room within a property.

Roommate, Roommates, Roomate, Roomates

An american term which is now used internationally due to American film and TV. As the name suggests it can either be use to describe someone who shares a room with you, or who shares a flat or house with you (i.e. they don't have to be in the same room to bes described as a roommate!).

Semi or Semi detached

Refers to two houses joined together.

Sharers

A term usually applied to those living in shared accomodation together.

Short term let

Refers to a tenancy generally lasting for 3 months or less. Standard tenancies are usually 6 months and above.

Single room

Refers to a smaller room with space for a single bed rather than a double.

Speed Flatmating ?

Find a flatmate using the speed dating format.

Studio

Generally a single room for cooking, living and sleeping with its own bathroom.

Tenancy agreement

A contract (verbal or written but usually written) between landlord and tenant. The contract outlines the rights both parties have (eg. your right to occupy the property and the landlord's right to receive rent from you). See also 'Contract'.

Tenancy deposit scheme

A government scheme introduced in 2007 to safeguard deposits taken by landlords.

Tenant

Someone who rents and occupies a property from another.

Viewing

Showing someone round (or being shown round) a property.

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