--- title: "Joint Tenancies: What Happens When One Tenant Wants to Leave" description: "Joint tenancies after the Renters' Rights Act: why fixed terms are gone, what happens when one tenant leaves, and how notice to quit works for joint tenants." image: https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Blog%20Media/helpland-navigating-lease-renewals-what-happens-when-not-all-tenants-.jpeg --- [Skip to content](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/navigating-lease-renewals-what-happens-when-not-all-tenants-sign#main-content) [![Helpland Logo](https://helpland.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png?width=600&height=200&name=Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png "Helpland Logo")](https://helpland.co.uk) - [Get your property back](https://helpland.co.uk/property-tenant-evictions) - [Tenant not paying rent](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears) - [Tenant has abandoned the property](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/14-day-abandonment-notice) - [Lodger or non-assured tenant](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/notice-to-quit) - [Commercial tenant](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/commercial-evictions) - [Travellers on your land](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/traveller-evictions) - Services - [Section 8 notice](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8) - [Court proceedings](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8-court-proceedings) - [County Court bailiffs](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/county-court-bailiff) - [High Court enforcement](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/high-court-sheriff) - [Notice of intent](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/notice-of-intent) - [Notice to quit proceedings](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/notice-to-quit-court-proceedings) - [Letter of forfeiture](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/letter-of-forfeiture) - [Forfeiture proceedings](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/letter-of-forfeiture-proceedings) - [Areas we cover](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/areas-we-cover) - [Guides](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger) - [Contact us](https://helpland.co.uk/contact) - [020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446) # Joint Tenancies After the Renters' Rights Act: What Happens When One Tenant Wants to Leave? ![Illustration of a tenancy agreement with one signature missing and a pen](https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Blog%20Media/helpland-navigating-lease-renewals-what-happens-when-not-all-tenants-.jpeg) - January 30, 2024 ![Lee Daniels](https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Team%20Images/Lee%20Danials%20v2%20200x200.png) [Lee Daniels](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/author/lee-daniels) *General guidance only, not legal advice. This article applies to private landlords in England. Laws change, so check current government guidance and take advice on your circumstances.* **Reviewed by [Lee Daniels](https://helpland.co.uk/about/lee-daniels)**, Founder and Managing Director of Helpland, with 27 years in property possession and eviction. Last reviewed November 2026. > **Updated November 2026: Renters' Rights Act 2025.** Since 1 May 2026, private assured tenancies in England are periodic. Fixed terms no longer exist, so there is no "renewal" to sign. The real question now is what happens when one joint tenant wants to leave and the others want to stay. This article has been revised accordingly. Under the old system, tenancies were renewed at the end of a fixed term, and problems arose when not every joint tenant would sign. Since the Renters' Rights Act, tenancies simply continue month to month. But the underlying problem hasn't gone away: sharers split up, move out and fall out, and landlords need to know where they stand. ## How joint tenancies work now Where several people rent together under one agreement, they usually hold a **joint tenancy**. In law, they are treated as a single tenant: each is responsible for the whole rent, and the tenancy belongs to them together. All private assured tenancies in England are now periodic. There is no end date to renew, and tenants can end the tenancy by giving at least two months' notice, ending at the end of a rent period. ## What if one joint tenant wants to leave? As the law stands, a valid notice to quit from one joint tenant generally ends a periodic joint tenancy for **all** the tenants, not just the one who wants to go. The remaining tenants then have no tenancy unless the landlord grants them a new one. This catches both landlords and tenants out. If you receive notice from one joint tenant, take advice before assuming the others can simply stay on the existing terms. ## Options when some tenants want to stay - **Grant a new tenancy to those staying.** This is often the cleanest approach. It creates a new periodic tenancy with a new written agreement and the required information, and a fresh deposit position. - **Add a replacement sharer.** If the remaining tenants want someone new to join, a new tenancy including the replacement is usually needed. Reference the new occupier fairly and consistently. - **Let the tenancy end.** If the remaining tenants can't afford the rent alone, the tenancy may end when the notice expires. If they don't leave, you will need possession through the courts. You cannot simply change the locks. ## Practical steps for landlords - **Communicate early** with all the tenants about their intentions, in writing. - **Get advice on the notice.** Check whether a notice from one tenant is valid and what it ends. - **Deal with the deposit properly.** Agree in writing how the existing deposit is treated, and protect any new or transferred deposit in an approved scheme with the prescribed information served. - **Treat applicants fairly.** Since the Renters' Rights Act, it is unlawful to refuse a tenancy because someone has children or receives benefits, and the Equality Act 2010 continues to apply. - **Don't use rent to force changes.** Rent increases must go through the section 13 process, no more than once a year. ## Conclusion There are no more tenancy renewals in England, but joint tenancies still change hands. Handle a departing joint tenant carefully, get the paperwork right and take advice where the position is unclear. For help with notices and possession where a tenancy breaks down, [contact Helpland](https://helpland.co.uk/contact) for expert advice and tailored solutions. --- *This article provides general guidance for landlords in England and does not constitute legal advice. Last reviewed: November 2026.* **Need help with this?** - [Helpland's tenant eviction service](https://helpland.co.uk/property-tenant-evictions) - [Tenant not paying rent? How to get your property back](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears) - [Get a free case check](https://helpland.co.uk/contact), or call 020 3835 4446 Blog Post ## Related Articles Explore the following articles for more insights and perspectives. Don't forget to subscribe below to keep up to date with all our latest news. [![Illustration of a front door with a pinned notice, unopened post and a 14-day calendar](https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Blog%20Media/helpland-tenant-abandoned-property.jpg)](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/tenant-abandoned-property) [Tenant](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/tag/tenant), [Evictions](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/tag/evictions) ### [Tenant Abandoned the Property? What Landlords Can Legally Do in England and Wales](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/tenant-abandoned-property) November 4, 2026 General guidance only, not legal advice. This article provides general information for landlords in England and Wales.... [Read more](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/tenant-abandoned-property) [![Illustration of a magnifying glass checking a tenant application](https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Blog%20Media/helpland-bad-tenants-bleeding-your-profits-screen-them-right-in-2025.jpeg)](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/bad-tenants-bleeding-your-profits-screen-them-right-in-2025) [Tenant](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/tag/tenant) ### [Tenant Screening in 2026: How to Reference Tenants Lawfully](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/bad-tenants-bleeding-your-profits-screen-them-right-in-2025) April 2, 2025 General guidance only, not legal advice. This article applies to private landlords in England. Check current government... [Read more](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/bad-tenants-bleeding-your-profits-screen-them-right-in-2025) [![Illustration of a shuttered shopfront with a padlock and a lease stamped forfeit](https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Blog%20Media/helpland-evict-commercial-tenant-forfeiture.jpg)](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/evict-commercial-tenant-forfeiture-crar) [Evictions](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/tag/evictions) ### [How to Evict a Commercial Tenant: Forfeiture, Peaceable Re-entry and CRAR Explained](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/evict-commercial-tenant-forfeiture-crar) November 5, 2026 General guidance only, not legal advice. This article provides general information for commercial landlords in England... [Read more](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/evict-commercial-tenant-forfeiture-crar) Check all articles [![Helpland](https://helpland.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png?width=250&height=83&name=Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png "Helpland")](https://helpland.co.uk) **Reg Office:** 137 Watling Street, Radlett, Hertfordshire, WD7 7NQ Company No. 07338711 | VAT Reg No. 103 006291 ©2026 Helpland Ltd. [Follow us on Facebook](https://facebook.com/helplanduk) [Follow us on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/company/helpland/) [Follow us on X](https://x.com/helplandUK) #### Helpland - [Get your property back](https://helpland.co.uk/property-tenant-evictions) - [About Us](https://helpland.co.uk/about) - [Contact Us](https://helpland.co.uk/contact) - [Tenant not paying rent](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/rent-arrears) - [Section 8 notice](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/section-8) - [Areas we cover](https://helpland.co.uk/tenant-eviction/areas-we-cover) - [For letting agents](https://helpland.co.uk/letting-agents) - [Our fees](https://helpland.co.uk/fees) #### Resources - [Blog](https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger) - [Terms & Conditions](https://helpland.co.uk/terms-and-conditions) - [Privacy Policy](https://helpland.co.uk/privacy-policy) #### Contact Phone [020 3835 4446](tel:+442038354446) Email [info@helpland.co.uk](mailto:info@helpland.co.uk) Address [Citibase Watford](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tftdba8aEkdUsXwK9)[42-44 Clarendon Rd Watford WD17 1JJ](https://maps.app.goo.gl/Tftdba8aEkdUsXwK9) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Lee Daniels", "url" : "https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/author/lee-daniels" }, "dateModified" : "2026-11-01T22:30:16.090Z", "datePublished" : "2024-01-30T13:58:54.000Z", "headline" : "Joint Tenancies: What Happens When One Tenant Wants to Leave", "image" : [ "https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Blog%20Media/helpland-navigating-lease-renewals-what-happens-when-not-all-tenants-.jpeg" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/navigating-lease-renewals-what-happens-when-not-all-tenants-sign", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://helpland.co.uk/hubfs/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png" }, "name" : "Helpland Ltd." } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/#organization", "@type" : "Organization", "email" : "info@helpland.co.uk", "founder" : { "@type" : "Person", "jobTitle" : "Managing Director", "name" : "Lee Daniels" }, "foundingDate" : "2010", "legalName" : "Helpland Ltd", "logo" : "https://143332599.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/143332599/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png", "name" : "Helpland", "sameAs" : [ "https://www.linkedin.com/company/helpland/", "https://facebook.com/helplanduk", "https://x.com/helplandUK" ], "telephone" : "+44 20 3835 4446", "url" : "https://helpland.co.uk/", "vatID" : "GB103006291" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/#business", "@type" : "ProfessionalService", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "GB", "addressLocality" : "Watford", "postalCode" : "WD17 1JJ", "streetAddress" : "Citibase Watford, 42-44 Clarendon Road" }, "areaServed" : [ { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "England" }, { "@type" : "AdministrativeArea", "name" : "Wales" } ], "description" : "Fixed-fee tenant eviction specialists for landlords and letting agents in England: Section 8 notices, possession claims, County Court bailiff and High Court enforcement, notices to quit and commercial evictions. Welsh cases are referred to trusted partner firms.", "email" : "info@helpland.co.uk", "image" : "https://143332599.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/143332599/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png", "knowsAbout" : [ "Section 8 notices", "Form 3A", "Renters’ Rights Act 2025", "Possession claims", "Rent arrears evictions", "High Court enforcement", "Commercial lease forfeiture", "Notices to quit" ], "logo" : "https://143332599.fs1.hubspotusercontent-eu1.net/hubfs/143332599/Refreshed%20Brand/Logo/Helpland_Logo_600x200_BoldText_Trans.png", "name" : "Helpland", "parentOrganization" : { "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/#organization" }, "telephone" : "+44 20 3835 4446", "url" : "https://helpland.co.uk/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/#website", "@type" : "WebSite", "name" : "Helpland", "publisher" : { "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/#organization" }, "url" : "https://helpland.co.uk/" } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/navigating-lease-renewals-what-happens-when-not-all-tenants-sign#webpage", "@type" : "WebPage", "lastReviewed" : "2026-11-08", "name" : "Joint Tenancies: What Happens When One Tenant Wants to Leave", "reviewedBy" : { "@id" : "https://helpland.co.uk/about/lee-daniels#person", "@type" : "Person", "jobTitle" : "Founder and Managing Director", "name" : "Lee Daniels", "sameAs" : [ "https://uk.linkedin.com/in/iamleedaniels" ], "url" : "https://helpland.co.uk/about/lee-daniels" }, "url" : "https://helpland.co.uk/the-landlords-ledger/navigating-lease-renewals-what-happens-when-not-all-tenants-sign" } ```