Joint tenancy

We can offer a joint tenancy to couples who are married, in a civil partnership or co-habitants but it has specific implications for your tenancy. You may want to talk these through with your Neighbourhood Manager or Scheme Manager before deciding whether to move to a joint tenancy. 

What does it mean?

 A joint tenancy means both of you are named tenants and are responsible, together and individually, for meeting the terms of your tenancy agreement.

For example, you are jointly and individually responsible for paying all of the rent due, not just 50 per cent of it. If one of you gives notice to end the tenancy, it ends for both of you. 

How do I add a person to my tenancy?

 If you want to add someone as a joint tenant then you should check your tenancy agreement, as it must clearly state that you can do so. 

Both you and the other applicant will need to be using your property as your main home. We will only consider applications from married couples and other co-habituating couples who have lived together for more than 12 months. There must not have been any breaches of tenancy and the property has to be suitable for your housing needs.

We will not accept applications for a joint tenancy from tenants under the age of 18.

Your rent account must be clear.

How do I have a person removed from my tenancy?

 Both tenants have to be in agreement about one of them being removed from the joint tenancy.

We would need to receive a written request from both tenants before we can remove a person. We would also probably want to talk to each tenant separately to make sure this is what they want and that they have not been pressured into giving up their tenancy.

Tenants can also be removed by court order. 

The tenancy would then be assigned to one person, who then would become the sole tenant in the property.