Joint tenancies

The law is changing

Private tenants will get new rights.

Renters' Rights Act changes start from 1 May 2026.

For now, your rights stay the same.

What is a joint tenancy?

You have a joint tenancy if:

you and the other tenants all signed a single tenancy agreement
your tenancy agreement has other tenants' names on it

Joint tenants are equally responsible for things like rent.

Not everyone in shared housing has a joint tenancy. You could be a lodger or have a separate tenancy for a room.

Before you sign a joint tenancy agreement

Discuss things with the landlord and other tenants before signing a joint tenancy agreement.

For example, you could try to agree what happens if:

there are unpaid bills or rent
someone causes damage to the property
one tenant wants to leave before the tenancy is up
the tenancy deposit scheme returns the whole tenancy deposit to the lead tenant

Record any agreement in writing to avoid misunderstandings in the future.

Video: 3 things to know before becoming a joint tenant

Video transcript

3 things you need to know before taking on a joint tenancy

You'll be jointly liable for rent

This means that if one joint tenant doesn't pay their share of the rent, you'll all be in rent arrears.

The landlord can ask all or any of the tenants to make up the shortfall.

You have joint control over the property

If another tenant wants to have visitors or overnight guests, you can't really stop them. It's best to sort out some 'ground rules' when you first move in.

It can be hard to get out of a fixed term contract early

You could try to find someone to replace you in the tenancy but the landlord and all the other joint tenants must agree.

Even if there's a break clause in your contract all the tenants must agree to use it.

Find out more on Shelter's website.

Our adviser explains what you need to know before you sign a joint tenancy agreement.

What you're all responsible for

Joint tenants are all responsible for:

making sure the whole rent is paid
looking after the property

This is sometimes called joint and several liability.

Agreeing how things should be split can help to prevent disagreements later. But it does not end joint liability.

Paying rent

Only sign a joint tenancy agreement if you are confident the other tenants will pay their rent. This is because the landlord can ask any joint tenant to cover rent arrears.

Damage to the property

Joint tenants are all responsible for any damage to the property, so the landlord could choose who to ask to pay for it.

The landlord does not have to ask the joint tenant who has caused the damage to pay for it.

Paying bills and council tax

You can agree between yourselves how to split the bills. The person whose name is on the bill will be legally responsible for it. If the bill is in more than one person's name, everyone named on the bill is responsible for paying it.

You may not have to pay council tax if: