Joint Tenancy

A joint tenancy is a tenancy where two or more people rent the same property together under one tenancy agreement, sharing equal rights and responsibilities. In the private rented sector this is common with couples, families and groups of sharers on a single contract.

All joint tenants are jointly and severally liable. This means each tenant is responsible both for their own obligations and for the full rent and any breaches by the others. If one housemate stops paying, the landlord can legally pursue any or all of the remaining joint tenants for the arrears.

A key feature of a joint tenancy is the single “unit” of occupation. The tenants rent the whole property together, not individual rooms with separate contracts. Usually, changes to the tenancy, such as ending it, or adding/removing a tenant, require agreement of the landlord and all joint tenants, or a court order.

Internal disputes between joint tenants, for example one wanting to leave, others wishing to stay, are still largely a private matter and can be complex. Renters should take advice before signing or trying to exit a joint tenancy.