Have your say in the government survey on joint tenancies and domestic abuse

During the pass of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, concerns over the current rules on joint tenancies were raised. At present, rules on joint tenancies mean that victims can be vulnerable to the threat of homelessness by their abuser. This is complicated further by difficulties around removing the abuser from the tenancy should the victim want to stay in the property.

Published: 14/04/2022

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The government-led consultation will allow better understanding of legal issues as well as insight into the practical issues.

Have your say

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is seeking views on the impact of the law on victims of domestic abuse in the social rented sector. They are interested in understanding if:

• perpetrators are using their ability to end a joint tenancy to threaten the victim with homelessness

• victims feel trapped in their joint tenancy with the perpetrator

• the current guidance for social landlords is sufficient to support victims in joint tenancies and

• the law on transferring joint tenancies is functioning successfully for victims.

The Department is seeking to gather evidence from victims, landlords, the legal profession, advisory services and other organisations and individuals associated with the domestic abuse sector.

The survey closes on Sunday 10 May – have your say today.