Succession

If a tenancy is in more than one name and one tenant dies, the tenancy will automatically become a sole tenancy in the name of the surviving tenant.

When a tenant dies, the tenancy does not automatically end. In certain circumstances, a tenancy can be passed on to the spouse, partner or a civil partner of a tenant. If there is no husband, wide or partner, another family member might be able to take over the tenancy. This could include their:

• Parent
• Grandparent
• Child (including step children)
• Grandchild
• Brother
• Sister
• Aunt
• Uncle
• Nephew
• Niece

This process is called ‘Succession’.

Succession can only happen once. If the deceased tenant was already a successor (took over the tenancy from someone else) no further successions can take place. However, dependant on individual circumstances, a new tenancy may be awarded.

If the applicant is a family member and not the husband/wife/partner, to be eligible to take over the tenancy they must have lived at the property for 12 months before the named tenant passed away. Proof of residency will need to be provided

Succession means that an applicant can take on the tenancy but this does not necessarily mean the property. We may find more suitable alternative accommodation for the successor if:

• The property has more bedrooms than the successor requires.
• The property has been specially adapted for disabled use and the successor does not require the adaptions.
• The property is designated for use by a particular group such as older people.