Making changes to your tenancy

Sometimes your circumstances change and you may need to update your tenancy. This page explains the different types of changes, what you can and can't do, and how to request them.

You can use this guidance if you want to:

• add someone to your household as a tenant (single to joint)
• remove someone from your tenancy (joint to single)
• take over a tenancy when a tenant has died (succession)
• give your tenancy to someone else (assignment)
• add someone to your household as an occupant (they live with you but are not a tenant)

Changing a sole tenancy to a joint tenancy

The rules depend on the type of tenancy you have.

Intermediate Market Rent or London Living Rent

You can only request a change to a joint tenancy when your tenancy is due for renewal.

You must also meet all the eligibility criteria.

Get in touch for guidance before you apply

Assured Shorthold tenancy

If your tenancy is six years or less, we normally won’t agree to this.

Any request will be reviewed at your fixed-term tenancy check.

If you currently have a sole tenancy

You cannot change a sole tenancy to a joint tenancy.

This applies whether you stay in your current home or move to another L&Q home.

Partners or family members can be added as occupants, but not as joint tenants.

Changing a joint tenancy to a sole tenancy

We can agree to this change if:

• both tenants agree in writing
• the rent account has no arrears
• you provide photo ID and proof of residency for both tenants

How to apply 

1. download our Joint to Sole Tenancy Change Request form (PDF)

2. complete and return the form – with the required documents – to us

If you cannot contact the other tenant or if you disagree about who should remain in the home, you will need a court order. You may wish to seek independent legal advice or use the family courts.

Succession (when a tenant has died)

If a tenant has passed away, someone living in the home may have the legal right to take over the tenancy. This depends on:

• the type of tenancy
• your relationship to the tenant
• the terms of the tenancy agreement

Get in touch to check your rights

Assignment (transferring the tenancy)

Assignment means giving your tenancy to another person.

This is only allowed in limited situations, and you must have our written permission before the assignment can take place.

Read our full Assignment policy (PDF) to see if you’re eligible.

Adding an occupant

An occupant is someone who lives with you but is not a legal tenant.

Before you apply, please note we cannot approve an occupant if it will overcrowd your home.

What you need to send us:

• your name and address
• the occupant’s full name and date of birth
• a scanned copy or photo of their ID
• details of your relationship
• information about any vulnerabilities

Accepted ID

Under 16: Passport or full birth certificate.

16 and over: Passport or driving licence.

How to send this information

• through your L&Q online account – just sign in or register
• email us
• in person at an L&Q office (appointment required)

Requesting a copy of your tenancy agreement

If you’ve lost your tenancy agreement, contact our customer service centre and we’ll send you a replacement.

Get in touch

Help and support

If you’re unsure which type of tenancy change applies to you or want support before making a request, please message our customer service centre.

Get in touch