Tenancy Changes

You may have a request for a change to a tenancy for a variety of reasons. Our staff will speak to you to discuss any requirements and ensure you are provided with the relevant legal advice and support.

Typical requests to change a tenancy include:

Name changes

If you have recently changed your name, please contact lettings@wvht.co.uk to request a name change telling us about the reasons for the change. You will need to provide the relevant documentation relating to the change which may be:

• A copy of your marriage or civil partnership agreement
• A copy of your divorce or dissolution certificate
• A copy of deed poll documentation

When the request and supporting information is received, we will contact you to discuss the request.

Adding someone to my tenancy

If you wish to change your tenancy from a sole to joint tenancy you will need to contact our Lettings Team on lettings@wvht.co.uk

Your request will need to include:

• The reason for the change in tenancy request.
• The relationship of the person requesting the joint tenancy.
• The length of time the person has been living at the property.

When this information is received our staff will contact you to discuss your eligibility depending on the type of tenancy currently held and whether there have been any previous changes to the tenancy.

Taking over the tenancy following the death of the tenant (succession) 

Some people have the legal right to take over a tenancy (succeed) upon the death of a tenant.

This right will vary depending on the type of tenancy held by the deceased tenant and the relationship of the person left in occupation of the property.

There are three types of succession. Legally there can only be 1 succession per tenancy. Our staff appreciate that this is a difficult time for customers and will work closely with you to assess any eligibility to succeed to the tenancy:

• Survivorship - If a joint tenant dies, the tenancy may pass through survivorship to the surviving tenant.
• Statutory succession - If the person left in occupation of the property following the death of the tenant is the tenant’s spouse of civil partner, or living in an equivalent relationship to a spouse or civil partner there may be a succession right. The property will need to have been the only and principal home of the person making the succession request immediately before the death of the tenant.
• Contractual succession - If the person left in occupation of the property following the death of the tenant is a member of the deceased’s family and was living with them for 12 months prior to their death a contractual succession may be agreed.

If you are left in a property following the death of the tenant, please contact our Lettings Team to request consideration to succeed to the tenancy.

Your request will need to be in writing and forwarded to lettings@wvht.co.uk

To assist staff in assessing your eligibility please ensure the following details are provided with the request:

• A letter requesting a change in tenancy. In the request, please include the date of death, your relationship to the deceased and the length of time you have resided in the property prior to the death. We will need to verify these details so if you are able to provide a copy of your electoral registration details with the request this will help speed up the process. Please also confirm details of anyone else left in occupation of the property.
• A copy of the death certificate for the deceased tenant. If this is not yet available, the request can still be made. Please ensure a copy of the certificate is provided as soon as it is available as this will be required prior to granting approval.
• Please also provide your contact details in the request and any supporting information.

When this information is provided our staff will assist and advise you about your legal rights.

What happens if I cannot take over (succeed) to the tenancy?

If there is not a legal right to succeed to the tenancy, our staff will need to serve a legal notice to end the tenancy. We will sympathetically work with you to review your individual circumstances, ensuring that all relevant advice and support is provided.  

Passing the tenancy to another person (assigning the tenancy)

An assignment is the transfer of the interest in a tenancy to another person.

If you wish to assign your tenancy you will need to make the request in writing to lettings@wvht.co.uk

You will need to outline the reasons for the request, advise who you are asking to assign the tenancy to, including their relationship to you and length of residency in the property.

Not all requests are approved. When all the details are received our staff will review the terms and conditions in your current tenancy agreement and provide the relevant legal advice and support.

For any of the above enquiries please contact lettings@wvht.co.uk

You can also provide copies of any requests and supporting information if preferred to our offices at Gadbrook Park , Rudheath Way, Northwich, Cheshire, CW9 7LL.