Ending your tenancy

Before making a final decision to leave your home, please speak to your nearest housing office, to discuss all of your options.

How do I end my tenancy?

By law, you must give us four weeks notice in writing that you want to end your tenancy.

This will start on the Monday after we receive your notice.

You can give us notice by writing to us, or by filling in the form, which which you can get from your nearest housing office or from from here (PDF 848k).

Please hand it in at your nearest housing office, or send it to us by post. You can also discuss any special circumstances with us at that time.

What if I leave my home without giving notice in writing?

If you leave your home without giving us notice in writing, we will consider the property as abandoned and will take the action set out in your Tenancy Agreement.

What if it is someone else's tenancy?

The only time you can end a tenancy for someone else is if they:

• Are not capable of doing this themselves.
• Have died, and you are acting as executor of their estate.

What happens once I have told you in writing that I want to end my tenancy?

Once we have your written notice, you will then receive an 'Acknowledgement of Notice'.

If you circumstances change, you wish to extend your notice of period or require and further help or advice, then please contact your nearest housing office as soon as possible.

What will happen if I leave my home before the notice ends?

If you move out of your home before the end of your notice period, you will still be responsible for paying the rent until the end of the notice period.

We will charge you full rent up to the date that your tenancy comes to an end.

If you receive Housing Benefit, this will stop when you leave.

When should I hand in my keys?

You should hand in all keys for your home into your housing office, no later than noon on the last day of your tenancy.

You will be responsible for further rent if we do not receive your keys on time.

If any keys are missing, you will be responsible for the cost of any lock changes.

What should I do if I want to move but I owe money?

If you owe us money through missed rent payments, rechargeable repairs or court costs, it is important you clear these before you leave.

If you have any difficulties in clearing your debt, please speak to us, as we may be able to help.

If you do not contact us we will continue to take action to claim back the money you owe us.

This may affect your ability to be housed in the future.

What if I have made improvements to the property?

If you have made certain improvements to your home, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

But this is only possible if you got permission from us before carrying them out.

Your housing office will be able to give you advice about this.

We may charge you for restoring any alterations you have carried out without our permission.

If you are not sure about work that you have carried out, please contact your nearest housing office and they will arrange an inspection.

What else do I need to do?

You should arrange for all of your belongings to be removed from your home, garden and outbuildings before you leave.

Unless you make an agreement with us before you leave, we may charge you for getting rid of any items you leave behind.

We would appreciate your help by allowing us to show possible tenants around your home before you leave.

If there is furniture, carpets or other fittings you don't intend to take to your new home, this gives you the chance to talk to the potential new tenant about them.

You must tell your nearest housing office of any items you are planning to leave behind.

Ending your tenant Checklist

• Arrange removals. Get at least two quotes, and make sure
  they include clearing away any unwanted items.
  Find out if they provide free packing boxes and ask for
  these before your moving day, to give you plenty of time to
  pack.
• Remove all your belongings from your home, garden,
  outbuildings and sheds.
• Leave the property clean and tidy.
• Complete any repairs that you are responsible for.
• Tell your gas and electricity suppliers that you are moving
  and remember to read the meters on the day you leave.
• Tell your household insurance company that you are
  moving and arrange cover for your new home if necessary.
• Tell other companies such as the TV licensing authority and
  your cable or satellite operator.
• Contact the Post Office about redirecting your mail to your
  new address.
• Put back any of our fixtures and fittings, repairing any
  damage.
• Leave the inside of the property in a good condition. This includes gardens, outhouses, sheds and communal areas.
• Give us a forwarding address (in case we have to send on
  post or contact you).
• Ensure you return two sets of keys - for front and back doors, outhouse, communal doors, etc.

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