Owner occupier
When the owner of a building also resides in it, they are referred to as the ‘owner occupier’.
An owner occupier may be the sole resident of a house. But if the property is part rented, the owner occupier will live alongside the tenant (who is an occupier) and will usually be paid rent by the tenant or tenants. In this case, the owner occupier is also the landlord and must assume the usual responsibilities and duties expected of a landlord, assuming that both are party to a rental contract (eg assured shorthold tenancy).
The same applies to flats: if the owner lives in the property, they are considered the owner occupier. It is immaterial whether the owner occupier has a mortgage and owes money on the property: they are still regarded as the property owner and therefore the owner occupier.
In theory, a company or corporation may also be an owner occupier. For example, in the case of an office building, the owner may use the entire building as offices. Or, they may occupy a section of the building and rent out the remaining floorspace to other companies (who are regarded as being tenants and occupiers). In both cases, the owner is also the owner occupier.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
Where its at podcast (and video) - The role of the Architectural Technologist as an Expert Witness.
More than 200 remarkable buildings added to SAVE’s Buildings at Risk register.
Government scraps pre-application consultation for Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects.
Historic England and infrastructure
New projects offer opportunities for the historic environment and local communities.
Construction Management, 2 July
Construction deaths halve in two years.
Green Book changes to drive investment in all parts of UK.
Minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES)
CIAT briefing on response to consultations for privately rented non-domestic properties.
Connect, collaborate, shape the future
Registration now live for UK Construction Week Birmingham.
CIOB announces Saul Humphrey FCIOB as new President for 26/27 term.
A quick, simple, and zero-bills solution to prevent overheating.
The adaptive reuse of large industrial structures.
Promoting the circular economy by extending the life of buildings.
CIAT responds to Climate Change Committee report
An urgent wake-up call for both government and the built environment.

















