Joint council tenancy

bluehammer

Can a mother and son have A Joint Council tenancy..........

I have a Secure Council tenancy (25 yrs), it is just in my name, my son lives with me, is now in full time work, he pays our full rent\full council tax, can he be a joint tenant.

Anyone know if this is allowed.

thanks.

chappers

Not sure on the direct answer to that.
What are your motives behind this, if it is to secure his position after your death then he already has a right of succession provided he has lived with you for a year before your death as a co-tenant he would still have the same rights.

bluehammer

As he pays all our rent, thought it would be a good idea, so if I died, he wouldn't have any problems with keeping his home. He's not got any family, so I am just worried, and trying to make life easier.

chappers

As I said, as your son he would have a right of succession anyway, provided he had lived with you for at least a year prior to your death.
As to whether he can be added as a co-tenant I don't know, but either way he wouldn't have any more rights to stay after your death.

bluehammer

Yes he has lived with me since birth (18 years), always,
It I a 2,bedroom would bedroom tax / under occupency come in if he was paying full rent, no benefits , could he let a bedroom to a young
single person so the two beds are in use .Thanks for your time .

pmlindyloo

These are the general rules for secure council tenancies.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/social_housing/about_council_housing/secure_council_tenancies

Talk to your local council.

chappers

If you really wanted to you could assign the tenancy to him now and yes he would be allowed to have a lodger.
I would suggest you either speak to shelter or the council who would be able to guide you through the process and its implications.

AdrianC

bluehammer wrote: »

would bedroom tax / under occupency come in if he was paying full rent, no benefits

No, because the "bedroom tax" is a reduction in housing benefit.

could he let a bedroom to a young single person so the two beds are in use

Of course. Currently, there are ways in which he wouldn't pay any tax on the income, either. But, of course, a lot may change between now and whenever he finds himself living in the property alone.

bluehammer

Thanks everyone, I shall speak to the Council n Shelter, would rather assign the tenancy to him now, just to save him any hassle, later, plus it would stop me mythering !

chappers

Particularly take some legal advice, shelter may even be able to help you with this. Make sure that assigning the tenancy to him isn't going to change it in any way, it shouldn't but just to be sure.
I'm not being morbid here but check what your position is, secured tenancies can usually only be succeeded once, what would your legal status as a tenant be if say your son was to die and left you on your own, with the tenancy in his name.
Make sure you check all the implications, a long term secured tenancy like yours is very valuable to you and your son and shouldn't be given up lightly.