We manage a flat under an AST agreement. The nominated tenant has just died. She lived in the flat with her long term partner, who is not named on the agreement, for many years as man and wife. The partner would like to take over the tenancy of the flat, but the landlord would prefer that he does not take it on, and would like to repossess the flat. Does the partner have an automatic right to succeed to the tenancy, or can the landlord repossess the flat without serving notice. What are the landlords rights in this situation?

Thanks for your help