Where there is more than one tenant in a property, the tenancy will almost certainly say they are “jointly and severally” liable.

This legal expression means that, jointly, the tenants are liable for the payment of all rents and all liabilities falling due during the tenancy, as well as any breach of the agreement.

Also, individually each tenant (or their guarantor) can be held liable for payment of the whole (i.e. all rent and all liabilities for the tenancy), as well as any breach of the agreement, until all payments have been made in full.

So, if one or more of the tenants disappears owing money, the landlord or his agent can claim the whole amount owing from all (or just one) of the remaining tenants.

 Note: never rely totally on these standard answers. Before taking action or not, always seek professional advice with the full facts of the case and all documents to hand. LandlordZONE.co.uk