Household changes
We carry out regular checks to make sure that the named tenants are actually living in their home.
Your questions answered
Who can live with me in my home?
Any members of your family may share your home and you can take in lodgers provided you are not an introductory or demoted tenant. You can sub-let part (not the whole) of your home. You must first get our permission in writing. We will not refuse without good reason. If we do not reply within a month you can go ahead as if we had agreed. If anyone moves into your home on a permanent basis or moves out, this can affect your entitlement to Housing Benefit or other benefits.
What if my household size changes?
If your family increases and your home becomes too small, you can apply to transfer to larger accommodation. Alternatively you might try to arrange a mutual exchange with another family. See Transferring homes and Other ways to move. If you no longer need a family-sized home, we may be able to find you a smaller home to move to and may pay for some of the costs of your move.
Ask for a leaflet at your Neighbourhood Office.
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 him or her to become a joint tenant. They must be over 18 years old and we will investigate their previous housing circumstances before agreeing. See Joint tenancies.
Who can take over my tenancy?
It 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. See Death of a tenant and Handing on your tenancy.
Joint tenancies
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.
Handing on your tenancy (Assignment)
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.
Death of a tenant (Succession)
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 provided it was not an introductory or demoted tenancy. See Tenants’ rights. This is called a succession.
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.
