Severance of Tenancy

At Honey Legal, we help you legally sever a joint tenancy to ensure your share of the property passes to your chosen beneficiaries. We are specialists on matters such as these.

Severance of tenancy is the legal process of changing the way a property is jointly owned. Most couples who own property together are joint tenants. This means both parties own the whole property equally, and if one dies, the other automatically inherits the full ownership — regardless of what’s written in a Will. 

When you sever the joint tenancy, you become tenants in common. This means each person owns a defined share of the property, which they can leave to someone else in their Will or through a Property Trust. 

Severing the tenancy allows you to: 

• Leave your share of the home to your children or chosen beneficiaries 

• Protect your estate planning wishes 

• Support blended families or second marriages 

• Ring-fence your share of the property 

• Align with your Will and wider estate planning documents 

Whether you’re planning a Property Trust or reviewing your Will, severance of tenancy can be a vital step. 

• Gives you control over who inherits your share of the property 

• Prevents automatic transfer to the co-owner upon death 

• Supports complex family structures, such as stepchildren or previous marriages 

• Enables effective use of Wills and Property Trusts 

• Can help avoid future disputes and legal uncertainty 

You may wish to sever the tenancy if: 

• You are writing or updating your Will 

• You want to leave your share of the home to someone other than your co-owner 

• You are setting up a Property Trust 

• You are in a second marriage or blended family 

• You want clear, defined ownership of your estate 

We’ll help you assess whether severance is the right option for your circumstances. 

1. Free initial consultation to understand your goals 
2. Land Registry search to confirm your property ownership status 
3. Legal documentation drafted and served – including the Notice of Severance 
4. Change registered with the Land Registry 
5. We support you throughout, ensuring clarity and peace of mind 

The whole process is handled efficiently and professionally by our experienced team. 

At Honey Legal, we provide a complete and professional service to help you sever a joint tenancy and ensure your property ownership reflects your wishes. 

✔ Over 100,000 clients trust us with their estate planning
✔ Experienced estate planners and legal experts
✔ Simple, efficient process with full guidance
✔ Fixed fee — no hidden charges
✔ Local support available across England and Wales 

Honey Legal provides severance of tenancy services across England and Wales, including: 

• Shropshire, Cheshire, and Staffordshire 

• Greater Manchester, Merseyside, and the West Midlands 

• London, South Wales, and surrounding areas 

Wherever you are, our estate planning specialists are ready to help you take the next step. 

“We wanted to make sure our children inherited our share of the home. Honey Legal made it simple and clear.”
– Verified Trustpilot Review 

Families across the UK trust us to help them take control of their property and protect their loved ones with legally sound estate planning. 

Secure your share. Protect your family. Speak to us today about severing a joint tenancy. 

Phone: 0800 9 500 100 

Email: hello@honeylegal.co.uk 

What is the difference between joint tenants and tenants in common? 

Joint tenants own the whole property together. This means that if one dies, the other automatically inherits the full property. Tenants in common each own a defined share, which can be passed on through a Will or Trust. 

Why would I want to sever a joint tenancy? 

Severance allows you to leave your share of the property to someone other than your co-owner, such as your children. It gives you more control over your estate planning. 

How is severance of tenancy done? 

Severance is done by completing a Notice of Severance, informing the other party, and updating the ownership status with the Land Registry. Honey Legal manages this process for you. 

Is severance of tenancy permanent? 

Yes, once a joint tenancy is severed, the owners become tenants in common. This change remains unless the property is sold or transferred again. 

Do I need both owners to agree? 

Not always. Severance can be done unilaterally by one party, but we’ll advise you based on your situation. 

Is severance of tenancy the same as divorce or separation? 

No. Severing a tenancy is a legal change to how the property is owned. It can be done during a relationship for estate planning purposes, or during separation to clarify ownership.