A tenancy is your right to live in your home, along with certain responsibilities, like paying rent and looking after the property.
When your tenancy started, you signed a tenancy agreement. This is the document that sets out what you and we are each responsible for. There are different versions of tenancy agreements, depending on when your tenancy began.
In some situations, your tenancy details can be updated. Any changes must be agreed with us and confirmed in writing.
You can find information about your own tenancy agreement in your paperwork, or you can contact us if you need a copy or have questions about what applies to you.
Below we explain the most common changes tenants ask for, and how to request one.
You may be able to add another person to your tenancy, for example a partner or spouse.
What you need to know:
1
We’ll ask you to fill in an application so we can carry out identity checks and proof that they live at the address
2
Both you and the person you want to add need to be eligible to hold the tenancy
3
We’re unlikely to agree to the change if it would make the home too crowded
4
If there is rent owing on the account, we may ask for this to be paid before making any changes
5
For Salford tenants only, we may not be able to agree to the request if the tenancy has already been passed on to someone else in the past (this does not include successions that happened before October 2008)
6
The person being added must live in the home as their main and only residence
7
Once added, both tenants will have the same rights and will be jointly responsible for paying the rent and looking after the home
If the request is approved, we’ll usually issue a new tenancy agreement or a formal document to confirm the change.
In some situations, a joint tenant can be removed from the tenancy. This may be due to a relationship breakdown, separation, or where one tenant has permanently moved out.
Important things to understand:
1
Usually, everyone named on the tenancy needs to agree to the change
2
The existing tenancy normally needs to end before a new one can be created
3
If agreement can’t be reached, we may not be able to make the change
4
Any rent owing on the account may need to be cleared first
5
A new tenancy may be offered to the remaining tenant, as long as they meet our eligibility criteria
We understand these situations can be difficult, and we’ll try to handle them sensitively and fairly.
You can ask for your name to be updated on the tenancy if it has legally changed, for example due to marriage, divorce, or by deed poll.
How this works
- You’ll need to provide official proof of the name change, such as a marriage certificate, divorce papers or a deed poll document
- This does not change who holds the tenancy, it only updates the name on our records
- Once approved, we’ll confirm the change in writing
- Passing your tenancy on to someone else
In some situations, you can pass your tenancy on to someone else. This is sometimes called an assignment. It means you give up the tenancy, and another person takes it over.
You must get written permission from us before doing this. If a tenancy is passed on without permission, it breaks the tenancy rules and could lead to legal action.
When this may be possible:
1
You must be the original tenant, not someone who took over the tenancy from another person
2
The person taking it over is your partner, a close family member, or someone who has been caring for you
3
They’ve lived in the home as their main home for at least 12 months
4
They can pay the rent and follow the tenancy rules
5
The home would still be the right size for the household
Passing on your tenancy is a big decision. If you do this, you give up your right to the home and may not be able to apply for another ForHousing home or join the council housing register.
Please speak to us before applying so we can explain your options.
If approved, a legal document called a Deed of Assignment is signed. A new tenancy agreement is not created, but the new tenant will receive a copy of the existing agreement.
If you’re thinking about making a change to your tenancy, or you’re not sure what might be possible, please get in touch. We’re happy to talk things through and help you understand your options.
You can call us on 0300 123 5522, complete an online form, or use the Live Chat button in the right-hand corner of this page. We’re here to help.
