Updating post from Reddit.
Hello, I was wondering what your policy is regarding your loft spaces in your properties and tenants? (I guess this applies mainly to houses, but I would be interested also in other settings)
Do you allow your tenants to store items in the loft? If so, do you educate your tenants regarding the space? (e.g. don't put items on the insulation)
Have any of you made it an 'out of bounds area' in your tenancy agreement?
For a bit more context, I am going to be renovating my loft space. Currently, it's a hatch in the ceiling in the hallway. One entered it's just about tall enough to stand in (in the middle) with a slight bend of the knees. It currently has spare floor boards making a run down the middle about 3ft wide, with 270mm insulation either side. (but only a very small amount under the boards) Also the previous owner of the property not only stored things on the boards in the middle but also on top of the insulation, which has made the insulation less effective, but it's not the end of the world. This is why I was wondering about educating tenants.
What I want to do is fill the entire loft with insulation, then use loft feet and boards to create more of a crawl space, as the added height will mean I can no longer stand. Then not only will the property be more energy efficient, but also remain as semi-useable space.
When I used to rent, I had places with both lofts and basements, but I never used them. I never even looked in them, to be honest, but I know my neighbours did. They put lots of stuff down there. However, I was fortunate enough that my parents were able to keep and still do keep some items for me, but I know not everyone has that option.
Looking forward to your input. Thanks
I make it out of bounds, which is explained during viewings.
I make it clear that the reason is quite simply, above anything else, it's not boarded. I'd hate for someone to be walking around up there and hurt themselves by falling through the ceiling.
I'd also hate the inevitable headache that it would come with but that's not something I share quite so openly.
I know of an instance where a tenant not realising they had to tread on the beams put their foot in-between. With a predictable result.
Nightmare. And so preventable.
The legal problems would be immensely stressful, and there's scope for not being able to claim the costs back on top of the injury.
Avoid it all with a simple clause saying "this is out of bounds for safety reasons as it is not boarded" and you're basically completely clear
u/Thunderkettle u/guyver17 thank you for all the replies. Is the out-of-bounds something you say or have you written it into your agreement?
If you say, but don't put it in writing, it means nothing.
So both.
I pitch it as transparency and up front approach to lettings.
Both.
I had it written into the contract and made it clear at the viewings - best to be clear from the start so it isn't a frustrating surprise for anyone
This is my approach too, it's just not worth the headache.
I recently rented my top floor flat with loft space. I had planned to lock it just because I didn't want to deal with tenants leaving things up there after they've moved out. But my letting agent told me that due to fire regulations I was not allowed to lock the loft and could not keep any combustible materials up there like paint or wood.
Do you own the entire block or just that flat? When I was doing a bit of research, I did see mention of limitations with leasehold vs freehold. i.e the superior landlord can set their own rules. Or maybe it's an HMO requirement not to have locks on spaces of potential fires
I saw this thread https://www.reddit.com/r/uklandlords/comments/1bfgxet/landlord_storing_items_in_loft/
A lot of people on here appear to put locks on. However, I understand Reddit shouldn't be a source for legal advice, at least without doing due diligence afterwards.
It's a Victorian mansion split into 4 flats, I only own top floor, share of freehold. The agent (one of the big ones in London) said it's a fairly new regulation that recently came in regarding fire safety. I couldn't lock it, but I could say that the loft is out of bounds in the contract. The loft is fully insulated with loft legs and fully boarded out, so I just allowed the new tenants to use it, providing they didnt leave anything when they moved out, it was a selling point to have the extra storage.
Mine’s a bit different as it’s a flat, so I don’t technically own the loft. However I did have it boarded when I lived there and stored my stuff up there because obviously no one would ever know or care!
So when my tenants moved in and I moved out I basically said ‘technically you’re not allowed up there, but if it were an emergency, this is how you open it ,’ WINK WINK
I’m sure they used it to store stuff!
If I were letting a house with a loft space I’d would also let them use it.
Mine is unboarded and has a warning to that effect as you enter, we made it clear in the STA that it did not form part of the tenancy and is not to be used. We also placed a sign on the hatch. There’s lots of storage space elsewhere including a fully shelved garage so we didn’t feel like the additional space would be missed.
No access for tenants, no storage use period. Inspect the loft space every inspection when doing maintenance on piv.
Mine is apparently not allowed to use, I still use it anyway as we need the storage space. Agent told us its fine as long as we take everything out at the end.
Also, make sure anything in the loft is photographed and included in the inventory - even if it is out of bounds. I know of someone who didn’t and found at check out the tenant had taken it all, but there was nothing on the inventory to prove this to the TDS / police.
What are you saying did they take the loft insulation ?? Aaaaaaa
The agent I use bans tenants from using the loft space.
What I found funny is the contract the tenant signed says they can’t use the loft, which is converted and two of the bedrooms advertised 😂
I screwed it shit and out of bounds. Mentioned in the tenancy agreement too.
Allow use. Why would I be a complete arse and ban it? Any damage including degradation of insulation is on the tenant. They are free to add insulation, loft feet and board etc at their own cost.
As long as it's made clear during the viewing (the information should be volunteered, as most people would assume that if they're renting a house, they're renting the whole thing, not bits of it), then it's fine.
If someone's paying full market rent for a house, and they find out in the small print that bits of it are out of bounds, they would rightfully be very pissed off.
No different to renting a house with a garage and then being told that you can't use it.
I just padlock it.
If a tenant asks for the key, I judge if they seem likely to fall through the ceiling. If they seem responsible, I give them the key (which is actually hidden in the property but in a place they'll probably never look)
When you give them the key, do they put stuff up there? Is it possible to put stuff there?
when I give them the key, I say "no weed farms, make sure you only stand on the wooden beams and not the fluffy stuff, store whatever you like up there but please take it with you when you leave, the attic might be full of squirrels or rats so don't keep stuff you really care about there".
is yours similar to mine? Do you have 100m between rafters and then sections of 170mm where the boards aren't?
Will you be changing any of it with regard to the changes with EPC coming into effect in the future?
Similar, yes.
It's up to you if you want to let the EPC inspector into the attic. If they can't gain access, they guess what's there based on your recollection, and make the report based on that.
DEAs should never take a homeowner's word for the level of loft insulation. They have to provide a photograph of the measured level of insulation in the loft, or a photo of the loft insulation certificate.
Ok, thanks for being helpful.
I think they recently changed how the assessments are being conducted (June 2025), essentially asking assessors to conduct more thorough checks of roof insulation, etc. Although that doesn't necessarily mean they will now require access, I suppose we will have to wait and see.
What would happen if they fell through the ceiling and seriously injured themselves or worse? Would you be liable because you gave them access?
Maybe, but:
* they're unlikely to fall (most people would catch themselves and end up hanging on the beams),
* unlikely to seriously injure themselves if they do fall all the way (it's only one floor down after all)
* and there's a decent chance they fall on a soft bed
* unlikely to be the frailest of tenants going up there (via the ladder)
* many tenants would head to B&Q and frantically be trying to repair the ceiling to hide what they'd done rather than thinking liability and blame.
* The most lawsuit-happy tenants wouldn't pass my tenancy checks
* even if all that did happen, injury payouts are low in the UK because there aren't extortionate healthcare costs
* This isn't some unusual trap-door setup I have here - it is literally standard for all UK houses.
* And it isn't obvious that a court would place any blame on me - having put it behind a locked door, up a ladder, and with a written warning not to step on the fluffy stuff.
Considering all that, I think I'm happy to take the risk.
I allow mine to store some bits up there but I also have some essential items like paint, tiles, flooring. Current tenant has no interest heading up there as he’s not a fan of spiders
The landlords I've dealt with it tends to be decided with by their building insurance.
As a tenant I've always just assumed the loft is out of bounds. I don't want to accidentally put my foot through the ceiling, but that's because the place that did have a loft wasn't boarded. If its boarded, don't see why not.
I insist on 30% of the crop
I don’t allow it and it’s in the lease. Last year I redecorated after a long line of tenants and they literally filled the basement with crap that took me 3 skips to clear out. Now I have that in the lease and if crap is left behind it will come out of their deposit to have it disposed of
Unless the tenant shows consideration for anything (by paying more rent) remove it or block it.