Can someone become a joint tenant with me?
If you get married, form a partnership or just want to share a home with a friend during your tenancy we may allow them to become a joint tenant. They must be over 18 years old and we will investigate their previous housing circumstances before agreeing.
What is involved in a joint tenancy?
A joint tenancy is when two or more adults (aged 18 or over) are named in the Tenancy Agreement.
Each tenant is jointly and individually responsible for the tenancy and for paying the full rent. If one tenant does not keep to the terms of the Agreement, the other can be held responsible.
Each tenant has equal rights. Each tenant can apply for Housing Benefit.
If one joint tenant wants to end their part of the tenancy, the other tenant does not automatically have the right to stay.
Can I transfer my tenancy to someone else?
It may be possible to transfer your tenancy to a joint tenant or partner. Contact your Neighbourhood Housing Office to find out if this would be possible for your tenancy.
What is involved in handing over my tenancy?
You can hand on your tenancy provided you did not take over the tenancy from a relative who passed it on to you. You can hand it on to a joint tenant or partner who is living with you, or to a relative or unmarried partner who has been living with you for at least 12 months. You must get our permission before you hand on your tenancy.
Can I hand on my tenancy to someone else when I die?
Your tenancy will pass automatically to anyone who is a joint tenant with you. Otherwise your husband, wife or partner may be able to take over the tenancy provided you did not take over the tenancy from a relative who passed it on to you.
What happens when a tenant dies?
The law only allows for a tenancy to be handed on once.
When a tenant dies, any joint tenant will automatically take over the tenancy. If there is no joint tenant, a partner (married or unmarried, including same sex couples) may be allowed to take over the tenancy. This is called a succession.
More details about your rights as a tenant are available in the Tenants Handbook...(open in...)
A joint tenant or married partner must have been living in the home as their only home at the time of the death. An unmarried partner must have lived with the tenant for at least 12 months up to the death.
If there is no joint tenant or partner, another member of the family who has been living in the home may be able to take over the tenancy but only under certain conditions.
Anyone wishing to take over the tenancy must write to us within 3 months of the death.
If you have any queries you can contact your Neighbourhood Housing Office