Amid an affordable housing crisis, renting a room from a friend can seem like the perfect solution. But without clear rules, it can lead to power imbalances, feuds and even unfair evictions …When Rachel needed a place to live, Maya was only too happy to offer her spare room. What are friends for?Rachel had recently returned to her home town to start afresh, having been made redundant. Maya, a childhood friend, owned her three-bedroom …
The trouble with friendlords: the pitfalls of renting from a mate
January 09, 2026