What happens if you live with a private tenant who dies

A private tenancy does not end straight away when a tenant dies.

First check if you could take over the tenancy.

You can always keep your home if you are a joint tenant on the tenancy agreement.

If there are no joint tenants, you can usually inherit the tenancy if you are the tenant's partner.

You might be able to inherit the tenancy if you are a family member who lived with the tenant.

More on inheriting a private tenancy.

Ask for a new tenancy if you cannot inherit

Talk to the landlord about setting up a new tenancy in your name.

You could both agree to this if you want to stay.

The landlord must give you a written tenancy agreement or information before you sign. The rent could change.

More on private tenancy agreements.

Checks by the landlord

Be ready for income and credit checks.

Apply for universal credit if you cannot afford the rent on your own.

If the landlord wants you to leave

The landlord needs to give you a notice to quit if either:

• you cannot inherit the tenancy

• the landlord will not offer you a new tenancy

A notice to quit usually gives you 4 weeks or 1 month's notice, but could be longer.

The notice to quit must have the right dates and information on it to be valid.

If you stay past the date on the notice, your landlord must ask a court for a possession order to make you leave. This can take several months.

More on notice to quit from a landlord.

Get help if you cannot stay

Get free legal advice if the landlord tells you to leave.

You can also ask your council for help.

Your council can:

• check an eviction notice

• talk to your landlord to see if you can stay longer

• make sure your landlord takes the right steps if they want you to leave

• help you find somewhere else to live if you cannot stay