Changes in tenancies can arise from a variety of circumstances.
Succession to tenancy
On the death of a tenant, the tenancy may be transferred to a family member or care provider who provided care for the deceased tenant or a member of their family and had given up their own home to do so, if they have lived with the tenant as part of the household for at least 12 months prior to the death of a tenant, and that the house applied for has been their principal home for the duration of that period.
People who can succeed to a tenancy also include a cohabitee of the same sex and an adult carer, who stayed with the tenant when they died.
Assignation (transfer of tenancy)
Approval may be given to transfer the tenancy from one household member to another, in certain circumstances. The applicant must have lived with the tenant as part of the household for at least 12 months as their principal home. Written consent of the landlord is required although consent will not be withheld unreasonably.
Joint tenancy
Tenants can apply to create a joint tenancy in certain circumstances and if the applicant has lived with the tenant as part of the household for at least 12 months as their principal home. Written consent of the landlord is required although consent will not be withheld unreasonably. A tenancy can also be converted from joint to sole with the agreement of both parties. If one of the parties has abandoned the tenancy, the landlord can arrange for the appropriate notices to be served to convert the tenancy to a sole tenancy.
You can download application forms or pick up a form at your neighbourhood housing office or local customer service centre.
In all cases the 12 month period does not start until the landlord has been notified.