If a joint tenant moves out and is replaced, it's often best to:

• end the original tenancy

• sign a new agreement that names everyone who now lives there as a tenant

If you do not do this, the person who left is still a tenant. The new person could be a lodger.

Talk to your housemates if you want to leave

Ask your housemates if you need to look for a replacement tenant.

If they do not want a new housemate, they might offer to pay more rent instead.

Finding a replacement tenant

All joint tenants and your landlord need to agree to a replacement tenant.

If a replacement tenant moves in without your landlord's agreement:

• you might break your tenancy agreement

• the person who moves out is still a tenant and responsible for rent

• the person who moves in has fewer rights - they could be your lodger

Practical tips and safety

If you are meeting a new housemate for the first time, either:

• meet them in a public place

• make sure you are all at home when they come for a viewing

Do not:

• meet the person alone in your home if you have not met them before

• agree to rent with them if you do not feel comfortable with the person

Tell the person anything you want them to know about your house share.

For example:

• any house rules

• who lives in the house and their interests

• if you are working or studying

• if you are looking for an LGBTQ+ friendly housemate

See how sharers might look for an LGBTQ+ friendly home.

Student house shares

Some landlords only want to rent to students.

You could:

• ask friends or other students on your course

• look on local forums or social media

• put an advert on student notice boards

• check if student support services can match you up with other students

Landlord checks and charges

Your landlord might ask the new tenant for references or a guarantor.

They have to check the new tenant has a 'right to rent'. But they must do this fairly and must not discriminate. More on discrimination and right to rent checks.

Your landlord or agent cannot charge for most of these checks.

But they could charge up to £50 to:

• change a name on the tenancy agreement

• draw up a new contract that includes the replacement tenant

More on letting agent and tenancy fees.

If you are moving out

You should make sure the tenancy ends properly.

If you do not end the tenancy, you are still a joint tenant even if you move out.

This means the landlord can still ask you for money for unpaid rent or damage.

If there is a replacement tenant, agree when your tenancy ends and the new tenancy starts. You must agree this with the other tenants and the landlord.

If your landlord or other joint tenants do not agree, you can give notice to end the tenancy.

A valid notice ends the tenancy for everyone.

More on ending a tenancy.

You should also agree what happens to your tenancy deposit when you move out. For example, if your landlord pays your share back to you.

If you are moving in

You should:

• sign a new agreement with your name on it

• pay your share of the rent straight to the landlord or letting agent

Signing a new joint tenancy agreement

These people should sign the agreement:

• the joint tenants who want to stay

• any tenant moving in

• the landlord or agent

The new joint tenancy agreement replaces the old one.

The person moving out is not responsible for rent under the new agreement. But they could be responsible for unpaid rent from the old agreement.

More on tenancy agreements.

If another tenant collects the rent for the landlord

Get evidence that you have a contract with the landlord.

For example:

• a tenancy agreement

• an email or letter from the landlord

If you do not have a contract with the landlord, you might be a lodger.

Lodgers have fewer rights.