Skip to main content
WUHLD
← Back to articles

Wills for Renters: Do You Need One If You Don't Own Property?

· 24 min

Note: The following scenario is fictional and used for illustration.

Jake, 29, and his girlfriend Emma had been renting a two-bedroom flat in Manchester for five years. Jake worked in IT, earning £42,000 a year. He'd saved £18,000 for a future house deposit, had a workplace pension worth approximately £22,000, a car worth £8,000, and personal possessions—his gaming setup, laptop, bike, and furniture—worth around £12,000.

Jake had no property, no marriage certificate, and no will.

He assumed wills were for "older people with houses." Then his colleague died suddenly at 31. Jake learned the harsh reality: his colleague's long-term girlfriend inherited nothing because they weren't married. The estate—including £30,000 in savings meant for their wedding—went to the deceased's estranged father under intestacy rules.

Jake realized he and Emma were in the exact same situation. If he died tomorrow, his £60,000+ in assets would go to his parents, not Emma. She'd get nothing—not even his car or the engagement ring he'd been saving for.

Nineteen percent of UK households—4.7 million people—rent their homes, with the most common age group being 25 to 34 years. Most assume they don't need a will. They're wrong.

This article will show renters exactly what assets they have, who inherits them without a will (spoiler: probably not who you think), and how to protect your loved ones for £99.99.

Table of Contents

The "I Don't Own Property" Myth: Why Renters Absolutely Need Wills

The biggest misconception about wills is that they're only for homeowners. This is completely false.

The Wills Act 1837 requires no property ownership to make a valid will. You only need to be 18 or older with mental capacity. Wills govern all "real and personal estate"—meaning every asset you own, not just property.

The renter's blind spot is focusing on what you DON'T have (a house) while ignoring what you DO have: savings, pensions, personal items worth thousands, vehicles, investments, and digital assets.

Mia, 32, was renting in Bristol when she died unexpectedly in a car accident. She had no property and no will. Her £25,000 in savings, £30,000 workplace pension, £15,000 car, and personal possessions—including jewelry from her grandmother, a designer handbag collection worth £8,000, and electronics—all went to her estranged mother under intestacy rules.

Her best friend Sarah, whom Mia considered family and had lived with for years, received nothing. Not even the pearl necklace Mia had promised her.

According to Aviva's 2025 report, the average UK household owns £58,210 worth of possessions. Millennials aged 25-34 own an average of £8,267 in personal technology and £8,233 in jewelry alone.

Wills are about protecting WHO inherits your assets, not just WHAT you own. Whether you have £10,000 or £100,000, choosing your beneficiaries matters.

What Assets Do Renters Actually Have?

Most renters dramatically underestimate their wealth. Here's what you probably own without realizing it:

Workplace Pensions

If you've been employed since auto-enrollment started in 2012, you have a workplace pension. The average pension wealth for 25-34 year olds is approximately £16,728, according to ONS data from the Wealth and Assets Survey.

Tom, 27, started his first job at 22. Five years of automatic pension contributions grew his pension pot to £14,500. Without a will, his pension doesn't follow intestacy rules—it goes to whoever he named on his pension nomination form when he started work. Most people haven't updated this in years, if they filled it out at all.

Savings and Investments

According to the English Housing Survey 2023-24, 52% of private renters have savings. Many young professionals are saving for future house deposits, typically accumulating £10,000 to £40,000 over several years.

This includes:

  • Current accounts and savings accounts
  • ISAs and Help to Buy ISAs
  • Stocks and bonds
  • Premium Bonds
  • Cryptocurrency and digital currencies

Personal Possessions

This is where renters' wealth really adds up. The average UK household's possessions are worth £58,210, a 38% increase since 2019.

Your possessions likely include:

Jewelry: Engagement rings (£2,000-£5,000), watches (£500-£3,000), family heirlooms, designer pieces

Electronics: Laptops (£1,200+), smartphones (£800+), gaming consoles and setups (£2,000+), cameras, tablets, headphones

Furniture: Even in rental properties, you own your bed, sofa, dining table, wardrobes—easily £5,000+

Clothing and accessories: Designer items, shoe collections, handbags (average handbag and contents now worth £1,633)

Collectibles: Vinyl records, limited edition items, signed memorabilia, art

Vehicles

Cars, motorcycles, and even high-end bicycles (e-bikes average £4,463) count as assets. A typical car for young professionals is worth £5,000-£15,000.

Digital Assets

These are increasingly valuable and often overlooked:

  • Social media accounts (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X)
  • Photo and video libraries (irreplaceable memories)
  • Domain names and websites
  • Cryptocurrency wallets (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)
  • Online businesses and side hustles

Life Insurance Payouts

Many renters have life insurance through work. Payouts can be £50,000-£100,000 or more. Without a will specifying beneficiaries, these payouts follow intestacy rules.

Reality check: Add up your savings (£15,000), pension (£17,000), car (£8,000), personal possessions (£12,000), and you're already at £52,000. Most renters have £40,000-£80,000 in assets worth protecting.

The Intestacy Trap: Who Inherits Your Estate If You Rent Without a Will

If you die without a will, intestacy rules determine who inherits. These rules were written in 1952 and assume traditional family structures. They don't recognize modern relationships, and the outcomes are often shocking.

If You're Married or in a Civil Partnership

Your spouse inherits the first £322,000 plus all personal possessions, plus 50% of anything above that threshold. If you have children, they inherit the other 50% of amounts over £322,000. If you have no children, your spouse inherits everything.

For most renters, estates fall under £322,000, so married couples are largely protected by intestacy rules.

If You're Unmarried (The Renter's Biggest Risk)

This is where intestacy becomes brutal for renters.

Your partner inherits absolutely nothing. Even if you've been together for decades. Even if you share a rental property. Even if you're raising children together.

Instead, your estate goes in this order:

  1. Parents
  2. Siblings
  3. Grandparents
  4. Aunts and uncles
  5. Cousins
  6. The Crown (government)

Liam, 30, and Zoe, 28, lived together in a rental flat for six years. They'd talked about marriage but hadn't set a date. When Liam died suddenly in a workplace accident, Zoe was devastated.

Liam had £35,000 in assets: £20,000 in savings they'd been pooling for a wedding, £9,000 car, £6,000 pension top-up he'd made. Zoe received £0.

Liam's parents inherited everything, including the engagement ring Liam had bought for Zoe two months earlier. When Zoe asked about the ring, Liam's mother refused—legally, it belonged to the estate, not to Zoe.

If You Have No Living Relatives

Your estate passes to the Crown as bona vacantia (ownerless property). Your best friends, your partner, your chosen family—none of them inherit anything. The government takes everything.

If You're Separated But Not Divorced

You're legally still married, which means your estranged spouse still inherits under intestacy.

Rachel left her husband three years ago. They'd been separated, living in different rental properties, and Rachel was in a new serious relationship. When Rachel died in a cycling accident without updating her will, her estranged husband—not her current partner—inherited her entire £45,000 estate.

The key insight: Intestacy rules don't recognize unmarried partners, chosen family, LGBTQ+ relationships before marriage equality, or estranged relatives. Only married/civil partners and blood relatives can inherit.

The Unmarried Couple Risk: Why Renters in Relationships Are Most Vulnerable

The most common renter demographic—25-34 year olds in long-term relationships—faces the highest intestacy risk.

The Common-Law Marriage Myth

There is no such thing as "common-law marriage" in England and Wales. Living together for years, even decades, gives you zero inheritance rights.

Citizens Advice confirms that unmarried partners, even with children together, inherit nothing without a will.

What Unmarried Partners Lose Without Your Will

Without a will, your partner loses:

  • All savings and investments (even jointly saved money)
  • Your car (even if they rely on it for work or childcare)
  • Your personal possessions (including gifts you gave them)
  • Any life insurance payout (unless specifically named on the policy)
  • Financial support to maintain their current lifestyle

The Rental Property Complication

Rental tenancies create additional complications:

If you have a joint tenancy on your rental property, the surviving partner doesn't automatically inherit your share unless it's structured as a beneficial joint tenancy (uncommon for renters).

If you're the sole tenant, the landlord can end the tenancy, forcing your surviving partner to leave—even if it's been their home for years.

Emma and Oliver rented together for four years. Oliver was the sole tenant because he'd signed the lease before Emma moved in. When Oliver died suddenly, Emma had no legal right to stay. The landlord gave her two months' notice. Emma lost her partner and her home simultaneously.

The Children Factor

If you have children together but aren't married, your partner doesn't automatically become their sole guardian under intestacy.

Your children inherit your estate (held in trust until they turn 18), but your partner has no guaranteed legal control over how that money is used.

Amy, 26, and Josh, 28, have a two-year-old daughter, Lily. They rent a house together. When Amy died in a car accident without a will, Josh was Lily's biological father, but Amy's parents legally controlled Lily's £40,000 inheritance.

Amy's mother believed Josh was financially irresponsible. She refused to release funds for Lily's nursery fees, forcing Josh to pay out of his own limited income. The resulting family conflict and court battle cost £15,000 in legal fees—all deducted from Lily's inheritance.

Protection for Renters in Relationships

A will solves all of this:

  • Your partner inherits your assets (not your parents or siblings)
  • You name your partner as guardian for your children
  • You prevent your family from contesting your partner's role
  • You specify how your estate should support your children

Cost comparison: £99.99 for a will vs. potential loss of a £40,000-£80,000 estate.

Your relationship may not be legally recognized, but your will makes it legally protected.

What Should Renters Include in Their Will?

Creating a will as a renter is straightforward. Here's what to include:

1. Beneficiaries for All Assets

Name who inherits your:

  • Savings accounts, ISAs, investment accounts
  • Car, motorcycle, bicycle
  • Jewelry, electronics, furniture
  • Pension (or ensure your pension nomination form is updated)
  • Personal possessions

You can list specific items ("My grandmother's necklace to my sister") or give everything to one person ("All my possessions to my partner").

2. Executors

Choose 1-2 people to manage your estate. This can be your partner, a trusted friend, a sibling, or a parent.

Executors handle:

  • Closing bank accounts
  • Selling your car
  • Distributing your possessions
  • Paying outstanding debts
  • Handling probate paperwork

Choose someone organized, trustworthy, and willing to take on the responsibility.

3. Guardians for Children (If Applicable)

If you have children, naming guardians is critical—especially for unmarried parents.

Without a will naming guardians, courts decide who raises your children if both parents die. Your wishes are legally unknown.

Name both primary guardians and backup guardians in case your first choice can't serve.

4. Funeral Wishes

Specify:

  • Burial or cremation?
  • Religious or secular ceremony?
  • Specific songs, readings, or locations?

Your will guides your loved ones during an incredibly difficult time.

5. Charitable Donations (Optional)

If you want any portion of your estate to go to charity, specify the organization and amount.

6. Digital Assets

Include instructions for:

  • Social media accounts (shut down or memorialize?)
  • Photo and video libraries (who gets access?)
  • Email accounts
  • Cryptocurrency wallets
  • Domain names, websites, online businesses

7. Specific Gifts (Optional)

Leave particular items to specific people:

  • "My Rolex watch to my best friend James"
  • "My vinyl collection to my cousin Sarah"
  • "My designer handbag collection to my sister"

Renter-Specific Considerations

You DON'T need to include:

  • Your rental property (you don't own it)
  • Landlord permission (wills are private documents)

You DO need to include:

  • Your rental deposit (it's part of your estate)
  • All personal possessions kept in your rental property

Example: Sophie, 31, rents in London. Her will includes:

  • Beneficiary: Her girlfriend inherits all savings (£22,000), car (£9,000), and personal possessions
  • Executor: Her older brother
  • Guardians: N/A (no children)
  • Funeral: Cremation with ashes scattered at Brighton Beach
  • Digital: Facebook memorialized, Instagram deleted, photo library to girlfriend
  • Specific gifts: Designer handbag collection to best friend, vintage camera to cousin

Do You Need to Update Your Will When You Move Rental Properties?

Short answer: No.

Moving rental properties does NOT require updating your will. Your will governs your assets, not your address. Rental properties aren't assets you own, so they're not mentioned in your will.

Your will remains valid regardless of where you live, as long as it was properly executed according to the Wills Act 1837.

When Renters DO Need to Update Their Wills

You should update your will after these major life changes:

1. Getting Married or Entering a Civil Partnership

Marriage automatically revokes your will. Even if you rent, even if nothing else changes, you MUST make a new will after getting married.

This is a legal requirement from the Wills Act 1837 that applies regardless of homeownership status.

2. Divorce or Dissolution

Divorce automatically removes your ex-spouse from your will, but you should still update to name new beneficiaries and executors.

3. Having Children

Update your will to:

  • Name guardians (critical for unmarried parents)
  • Add children as beneficiaries
  • Set up trusts if children are minors

4. Significant Changes in Assets

Update when you:

  • Buy your first property (transitioning from renter to homeowner)
  • Receive a large inheritance
  • Get a significant salary increase
  • Acquire valuable possessions (expensive jewelry, vehicles, art)

5. Changes in Relationships

Update when you:

  • Start a new long-term relationship (add partner as beneficiary)
  • End a relationship (remove ex-partner)
  • Fall out with family members (remove from executor or beneficiary roles)

6. Deaths of Executors or Beneficiaries

If your named executor dies, appoint a new one. If a beneficiary dies, redistribute their intended share.

Best practice for renters: Review your will every 2-3 years or after any major life change. With WUHLD, you can preview updates free and make unlimited changes.

Guardians for Children: Even More Critical for Renters

If you're an unmarried parent who rents—a common situation for young couples—naming guardians in your will is absolutely critical.

Why Unmarried Parents MUST Name Guardians

If you're married and one parent dies, the surviving parent automatically has sole parental responsibility.

But if you're unmarried and die without a will, the surviving parent doesn't automatically become the sole guardian in all circumstances. Courts may still intervene, especially if there's family conflict.

If both parents die without naming guardians, courts decide who raises your children. This could be:

  • Your parents or siblings
  • Your partner's parents
  • Social services
  • Someone you would never choose

What Happens Without Named Guardians

Jenna, 29, and Marcus, 30, were unmarried with two children aged 3 and 5. They rented a house together in Birmingham. When Jenna died in a medical emergency without a will, Marcus was the biological father of both children.

But Jenna's mother believed Marcus was irresponsible with money. She petitioned for custody, claiming she could provide better financial stability and a proper home (she owned her house; Marcus rented).

The court battle lasted eight months, cost £18,000 in legal fees, and traumatized the children. Marcus eventually won, but the legal fight drained savings he'd planned to use for the children's education.

How Naming Guardians Protects Your Children

A will allows you to:

  • Choose WHO raises your children if both parents die
  • Name backup guardians if your first choice can't serve
  • Choose WHERE your children live (same school, same area)
  • Keep siblings together
  • Specify HOW your estate should be used for them
  • Avoid family conflict and court battles

Who to Choose as Guardians

Consider:

  • Someone who shares your values and parenting style
  • Someone financially stable (or leave funds to support them)
  • Someone your children already know and trust
  • Someone willing and able to take on the responsibility
  • Location (keeping children in the same school/area if possible)

Always name backup guardians in case your primary choice can't serve.

Renter-Specific Guardian Considerations

You don't need to own a home to name guardians. Your chosen guardians don't need to own a home either.

Your estate—savings, life insurance, pension—can help guardians provide housing for your children.

Amy, a single mother renting in Leeds, named her sister Emma as guardian for her 4-year-old son. Amy's estate included £25,000 in savings and £45,000 in life insurance.

When Amy died, Emma used the life insurance payout to move to a larger rental property that could accommodate Amy's son. The savings funded his education and activities.

Bottom line: Appointing guardians in your will is the ONLY way to guarantee your choice is legally recognized.

How to Make a Will as a Renter: Simple, Affordable, Online

Renters have three options for creating a will. Here's how they compare:

Option 1: Online Will Services (WUHLD) – £99.99

Best for: Most renters with straightforward estates

Time: 15 minutes online

What you get:

  • Legally binding will
  • 12-page Testator Guide
  • Witness Guide
  • Complete Asset Inventory document
  • Preview free before paying
  • Unlimited previews and updates

Process:

  1. Answer simple questions online
  2. Preview your complete will
  3. Make any changes (no limit)
  4. Pay £99.99 only when satisfied
  5. Print and sign with 2 witnesses

Option 2: Solicitor – £650+

Best for: Complex estates with business assets, international property, or trusts

Time: Multiple appointments over 2-4 weeks

What you get:

  • Personalized legal advice
  • Face-to-face consultation

Cost: £650+ per person, £1,000+ for couples. Updates cost £150-£300 each time.

Reality check: Most renters DON'T need a solicitor. If your estate is straightforward—standard beneficiaries, no trusts, no business assets—online wills are legally equivalent.

Option 3: DIY Will Writing – Free but Risky

Best for: No one

Risks:

  • Incorrect execution (wrong witnesses, improper signing)
  • Ambiguous wording that causes disputes
  • Invalid clauses that don't meet legal requirements
  • Won't stand up in probate court

Ambiguously worded wills are frequently contested, costing estates thousands in legal fees. Not recommended.

How to Create Your Will With WUHLD (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Inventory Your Assets

List:

  • Savings accounts and balances
  • Pension provider and approximate value
  • Valuable possessions (car, jewelry, electronics, furniture)
  • Total estimated estate value

Most renters have £40,000-£100,000 in assets.

Step 2: Decide Who Inherits What

Choose:

  • Primary beneficiary (partner, parent, sibling, friend)
  • Backup beneficiaries if primary dies before you
  • Specific gifts for sentimental items

Step 3: Choose Executors

Select 1-2 trusted people to manage your estate. Usually your main beneficiary or a responsible family member or friend.

Step 4: Name Guardians (If You Have Children)

Choose primary guardian and backup.

Step 5: Specify Funeral Wishes (Optional)

Burial or cremation? Religious or secular ceremony?

Step 6: Create Your Will Online

  1. Go to WUHLD and answer simple questions (15 minutes)
  2. Preview your complete will
  3. Make any changes (unlimited)
  4. Pay £99.99 only when satisfied
  5. Print and sign with 2 witnesses

All wills—online or solicitor-drafted—must meet these requirements from the Wills Act 1837:

  • You must be 18+ with mental capacity
  • Will must be in writing and signed by you
  • Must be witnessed by 2 independent witnesses (not beneficiaries)
  • Witnesses must see you sign and must sign in your presence
  • All 3 signatures (yours + 2 witnesses) on the same document

Renter-Specific Reassurance

You DON'T need to:

  • Own property to make a will
  • Use a solicitor (unless your estate is complex)
  • Involve your landlord
  • Wait until you "have more assets"

Making a will NOW protects what you have TODAY.

Cost Comparison

  • Solicitor: £650+ (single), £1,000+ (couple)
  • WUHLD: £99.99 (single), £149.98 (couple)
  • Savings: £550+ per person

Time Comparison

  • Solicitor: Multiple appointments over 2-4 weeks
  • WUHLD: 15 minutes online, done today

Value Comparison

  • Both are legally binding
  • Both protect your loved ones
  • WUHLD includes 3 guides plus unlimited preview and easy updates

Objection Handling

"I'll do it later" → It takes 15 minutes. Your partner could lose £40,000+ if you wait.

"I don't have enough to need a will" → You have more than you think. Even £10,000 is worth protecting.

"It's too expensive" → £99.99 vs £650+ solicitor. Less than a weekend away.

"It's too complicated" → WUHLD guides you through every step. No legal knowledge needed.

"I'm too young" → Unexpected deaths happen at every age. You don't get to choose when.

You pay £600+ per month for rent—a place you don't own. Spend £99.99 once to protect what you DO own and WHO inherits it.

Create your will online in 15 minutes. Preview free, pay only when satisfied.

Preview Your Will Free – No Payment Required

Protect What You Have: Create Your Will Today

Jake opened Emma's laptop three months after learning about his colleague's tragedy. He spent 15 minutes creating his will with WUHLD. He left everything to Emma, named her as executor, and specified his funeral wishes. Cost: £99.99. Peace of mind: priceless.

When he told Emma what he'd done, she cried—not from sadness, but from relief. She made her will the same evening. Now they both know that if anything happens, they'll take care of each other.

Here's what you need to understand as a renter:

  • You have more than you think. Savings, pensions, personal possessions, vehicles, and digital assets add up to £40,000-£80,000 for most renters. That's worth protecting.
  • Unmarried partners inherit nothing. If you're in a relationship but not married, intestacy rules give your partner £0. Everything goes to your parents, siblings, or distant relatives instead.
  • Property ownership is irrelevant. The law doesn't care whether you rent or own. Wills protect WHO inherits your assets, not just WHAT you own.
  • Wills cost less than you think. £99.99 for a legally binding will vs. potentially losing a £60,000 estate to intestacy rules. The math is obvious.
  • Your loved ones matter most. Creating a will isn't about death—it's about protecting the people you'll leave behind during the hardest time of their lives.

Creating your will is essential when you:

  • Have an unmarried partner (they inherit £0 under intestacy)
  • Rent but have savings, pensions, or valuable possessions
  • Have children (you must name guardians)
  • Want control over who inherits (not rigid government rules)
  • Care about anyone who isn't a blood relative

WUHLD makes will creation simple: 15 minutes online for £99.99. You get your legally binding will, plus a 12-page Testator Guide, Witness Guide, and Complete Asset Inventory. You can preview everything free before paying anything—no credit card required.

Compare that to intestacy: your partner loses everything, your family faces months of delays and legal fees, and the people you actually care about get nothing.

The choice is clear.

Preview Your Will Free – No Payment Required

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a will if I rent and don't own property?

A: Yes, absolutely. Even if you don't own property, you likely have valuable assets like savings, pensions, personal possessions, and digital accounts. Without a will, intestacy rules determine who inherits everything—and your partner, friends, or chosen loved ones may get nothing. A will also lets you name guardians for children and specify funeral wishes.

Q: What assets do renters typically have that need to be in a will?

A: Renters often have significant assets including workplace pensions (average £16,728 for 25-34 year olds), savings accounts (52% of renters have savings), personal possessions worth thousands (average UK household owns £58,210 in possessions), vehicles, jewelry, electronics, and digital assets. All of these need to be distributed according to your wishes.

Q: What happens to my stuff if I die without a will as a renter?

A: If you die without a will, intestacy rules determine who inherits. If you're married or in a civil partnership, your spouse inherits up to £322,000 plus personal possessions. But if you're unmarried—even in a long-term relationship—your partner inherits nothing. Your estate goes to parents, siblings, or other blood relatives instead.

Q: Can my unmarried partner inherit if I'm a renter without a will?

A: No. Under UK intestacy rules, unmarried partners (including cohabiting couples in long-term relationships) have zero automatic inheritance rights. Even if you've lived together for decades and share a rental property, your partner will inherit nothing without a will. This applies regardless of whether you rent or own property.

Q: How much does a will cost for renters in the UK?

A: A solicitor-drafted will typically costs £650 or more. Online will services like WUHLD cost £99.99 for a complete, legally binding will that includes your will plus three essential guides (Testator Guide, Witness Guide, and Asset Inventory). You can preview your entire will free before paying anything.

Q: What should renters include in their will?

A: Renters should name beneficiaries for all assets (savings, pensions, possessions, vehicles), appoint executors to manage the estate, name guardians if you have children, specify funeral wishes, and include any charitable donations. You should also list digital assets like social media accounts, photo libraries, and cryptocurrency.

Q: Do I need to update my will if I move to a new rental property?

A: No, moving rental properties doesn't require updating your will because rental addresses aren't assets you're distributing. However, you should update your will after major life changes like getting married, having children, divorce, significant changes in assets, or changes in who you want as beneficiaries or executors.

Legal Disclaimer:

This article provides general information only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. WUHLD is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Laws and guidance change and their application depends on your circumstances. For advice about your situation, consult a qualified solicitor or regulated professional. Unless stated otherwise, information relates to England and Wales.

Sources: