Joint tenancies

If you have been living with someone as a couple in a stable relationship and that relationship breaks down permanently, we will do all we can to rehouse one or both of you. If we need to rehouse you and your ex-partner, we will expect vacant possession of the house. We will treat your case under the relationship breakdown policy as long as

• You have been in the relationship for at least three years and you have been living together as a couple throughout
• You were in the relationship at the start of the tenancy or in a previous council-owned property for at least three years and you can prove this
• You or your partner are able to provide proof that your relationship has broken down permanently and
• Your relationship has not broken down as a result of any
  form of domestic violence.

A stable relationship is one where either you or your partner or both) were granted the original tenancy, are named on the original tenancy agreement and have been living together as a couple for at least three years either in your current home or in a property we own.

If you have dependent children and the existing property is of an appropriate size, we will encourage the person who is responsible for looking after the children to stay in the original property and we will rehouse the other person.

We will expect the person asking to be rehoused because their relationship has broken down to provide evidence. We will interview the person applying for housing in private, and they can be interviewed by a person of the same sex if they want to. Before we decide to accept their request for rehousing, we will normally interview the other person, unless it appears that the person applying is the victim of domestic violence.

We cannot say how long it will take to rehouse either or both partners in a relationship. This is because there are increasing and competing demands on available accommodation and we must consider the needs of everyone applying for housing according to government legislation and local need.

Everyone applying for housing should consider all of the options open to them to find alternative accommodation.

If a relationship breaks down because of domestic violence, we will not rehouse or grant the tenancy of the existing property to the person behaving violently. If the person behaving violently is the tenant, we will take action to evict them for seriously breaking their tenancy agreement.

Southwark Victim Support

If you have been a victim of crime you can get help from Southwark Victim Support . They offer a free and confidential support and listening service.

They can visit you at home, advise on personal safety and security, and help you fill in personal injury forms. They may also be able to help you with extra security to your home.

The trained volunteers deal with all types of crime from burglary to serious sexual assaults, including domestic violence. They also help families of murder victims.

Or, you can contact Southwark community safety SRB6 campaign against hate crime for advice on other providers in the borough. You can contact the team on 020 7525 7697 .