How to end your tenancy

There are several reasons why you might want to leave your property, some of which are listed below. This page will guide you through some important things to consider:

Ending your tenancy

Your tenancy does not automatically end when you move out of your home. Your tenancy is a legal agreement and can only be ended by you giving us proper notification to terminate your tenancy or by a court order, so please plan ahead.

How to end your tenancy

Your tenancy agreement sets out your responsibilities and rights as a tenant and our responsibilities as a landlord.

If you wish to end your tenancy, you are required to give us at least 4 weeks’ written notice. Call Customer Services for the appropriate form.

Weekly tenancies run from Monday to Sunday, so your notice to terminate will always end on a Sunday. Your keys MUST be returned by 12 noon on the following Monday otherwise you will be charged for another week’s rent.

You must return all keys, including any communal entrance fobs, meter keys, outhouse and garage keys. If all keys are not returned, you will be charged for the cost of changing the locks.

You must ensure that the property is left in a clean condition with all furniture, personal items and rubbish removed, including items left in external stores and garden areas. You will be charged for the cost of removing any items left on the premises.

Your rent account must be clear when your tenancy ends, and you must make good any damage or carry out any repairs which are your responsibility.

Before you hand in the keys, make sure that you take final readings from gas and electricity meters and inform your suppliers about the change of address. You must also let us know who your electricity and gas suppliers are.

If you do not comply with the above, you will have to pay the associated costs. If failure to comply results in unlawful occupation of the property when you leave, you may be liable for court costs incurred in recovering vacant possession.

Next of kin

If you are managing the affairs of your next of kin and want to end their tenancy, please contact us to confirm arrangements. We would usually require written confirmation that the tenancy is to be ended and a copy of the death certificate. Please refer to Death of a tenant for more information.

Alterations

Apart from decorating, you must have obtained our written permission before carrying out any alterations or improvements to your home. If you have made any alterations or improvements, check with us to see if you are expected to leave them in place or return the property to its original condition before you leave. Any work required to reinstate original fittings or replace missing fixtures MUST be carried out by a professional tradesperson (or CORGI registered engineer for gas appliances/installation).

Assignment

With our permission you can pass your tenancy on to a joint tenant, partner or family member who has lived permanently with you for at least 12 months. You can only assign the tenancy to someone who might have the right to succeed to the tenancy in the event of your death. You do not have the right to sub-let any part of your home unless you have written permission from us.

Succession

Succession means that when you die your tenancy can be automatically passed on to someone else. A spouse or partner may be able to take over the tenancy if the property was their main or only home. Another family member can take over the tenancy if they had lived with you for at least 12 months. All claims to succession must be made in writing within one month of the tenant dying.

Swapping your home

Find out more about swapping your home.