What happens if I am a joint tenant and one of us leaves the property?

As joint tenants, you are both responsible for paying the rent until the tenancy becomes a sole tenancy. If you receive Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, you must inform the Housing Benefit or DWP office as soon as the changes have been made to your account.

If you need support with paying your rent, you must make a claim for Universal Credit unless the below exemptions apply:

  • You have reached State Pension age
  • You are part of a couple and one of you has reached State Pension age and has started claiming Pension Credit (for you both) before 15 May 2019
  • You’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing

Housing Benefit

If you are unable to claim Universal Credit, you can claim for help with paying your rent through Housing Benefit. To make a claim, you need to contact your Local Authority.

Details of your local authority can be found here.

You can make a claim for Housing Benefit if you are exempt from claiming Universal Credit for the following reasons:

  • You have reached State Pension age
  • You are part of a couple and one of you has reached State Pension age and has started claiming Pension Credit (for you both) before 15 May 2019
  • you’re in supported, sheltered or temporary housing.

Further information on Housing Benefit can be found here.

For advice and support with claiming benefits, contact our Income Team on 0344 736 0066.