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<p>The Department has not issued guidance to social landlords including local authorities,
regarding managing tenancy agreements of victims of domestic violence who are joint
tenants when the abusive partner moves out.</p><p>Local authorities have powers to
take action against joint tenants who commit domestic abuse against their partners
including a power under the Housing Act 1985 to apply to the court to evict such perpetrators
and have the discretion to grant a new tenancy to the victim.</p><p>Many local authorities
use these powers as part of their proactive approach towards assisting tenants affected
by domestic abuse to remain in their homes safely if they choose to do so.</p><p>Domestic
abuse is a devastating crime, and Government has put in place a number of measures
to provide necessary support to victims.</p><p>Our Violence Against Women and Girls
Strategy, launched earlier this year, set out our ambition to improve services for
women suffering from domestic abuse, dedicating £40 million of extra funding for securing
the future of refuges and other specialist accommodation-based services. This builds
on the £13.5 million provided in the last spending review period. In addition, we
will be providing a wider package of support, including commissioning guidance and
tools, and expert support to help all local areas improve local commissioning, support
early intervention and develop coherent pathways of support for victims of these crimes.
This provides a critical bedrock of support.</p><p>In taking forward the provisions
in the Housing and Planning Act 2016 that restrict the use of lifetime tenancies,
we will also ensure that the security of tenure of victims of domestic abuse continues
to be protected.</p>
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