Property Tenancy Severance Pack
A plain-English kit for England & Wales
Delivered as PDF + editable Word document. Instant download.
Property Tenancy Severance Pack
Convert your property from joint tenants to tenants in common. Essential if you want your Will to control what happens to your share of a jointly owned property.
What’s included
- Plain-English explainer: joint tenants vs tenants in common — what each means
- Why joint tenancy can override your Will (the right of survivorship)
- Notice of Severance template (the formal document to change from joint tenants to tenants in common)
- Covering letter template to serve on the other joint owner
- Land Registry guidance — how to update the title register after severance
- Checklist of steps to complete the process correctly
Who it's for
- •Co-owners of property who want their Will to control their share
- •Couples in second marriages or blended families with children from previous relationships
- •Anyone who has been advised to sever a joint tenancy before making a Will
- •Property investors co-owning buy-to-let properties
This may not be right for you if…
- •Properties held as tenants in common already (check your title register first)
- •Disputes between co-owners (seek legal advice)
In these cases, we recommend speaking to a solicitor.
Questions about this kit
Why does it matter whether we are joint tenants or tenants in common?+
If you own property as joint tenants and you die, your share automatically passes to the surviving co-owner — regardless of your Will. This is called the right of survivorship. If you want your share to go to your children or another beneficiary instead, you must first convert to tenants in common by serving a Notice of Severance.
Does the other owner have to agree to the severance?+
No. Any joint tenant can sever the tenancy unilaterally by serving a written notice on the other owner. You do not need their consent, though you must notify them formally. This kit includes the notice template and the covering letter.
Self-help template, not legal advice. WillSafe UK is a trading name of WSC Group Ltd. We are not solicitors. Our products are self-help templates for England & Wales. For complex estates, speak to a qualified solicitor. See our full disclaimer.