Ending your tenancy

Before you move out of your home, please:

• Return all keys: including keys for the property and any communal entrance, garage, store, meter or entry system. If you do not return all keys, we may have to charge you for changing locks.
• Clean thoroughly: so the property is left in a clean condition with all personal items, furniture and rubbish removed, including anything from external stores or gardens. We will have to charge you for removing items you leave behind.
• Clear your rent account: Make sure your rent account is fully up to date before your tenancy ends.
• Finish any repairs: that are your responsibility. We may charge you if you do not do this.  
• Take meter readings: for your gas, electricity and water meters. Tell your suppliers about your change of address, and let us know who your suppliers are.

If you didn't get our permission for any changes you've made to your home, we may ask you to reinstate the property to its original condition. 

Please check with us about this before you leave. 

If you are handling the affairs of a next-of-kin and need to end their tenancy (for example, after a death).

Please contact us to confirm the arrangements. We will normally require four weeks' written notice to end the tenancy.

You can only assign your tenancy to somebody else under your Right to Mutual Exchange or in certain other cases by order of a court or with our consent.

Apart from these rights, you must not transfer the tenancy to anyone else.

Succession means that if you die, your tenancy can pass on to someone else.

A spouse or partner may be eligible to take over the tenancy if the property was their main or only home. Another family member can also inherit the tenancy if they lived with you for at least the last 12 months.

To claim succession, the person must contact us in writing within one month of your death.

Dealing with the death of a friend or relative is difficult, and managing their affairs can feel overwhelming.

We’re here to guide you with what needs to happen when a resident dies. If you're unsure of anything, please get in touch.

Even when a resident dies, the tenancy must still be formally ended. To do this, we will need a copy of the death certificate and four weeks' written notice. 

Please note:

• Rent will continue to be charged until the keys are returned.
• If the resident received Housing Benefit, it will automatically end on the Sunday after their death
• We will recover any outstanding rent or other charges from the resident’s estate once the keys are returned. Please tell us who is managing the resident’s affairs.

Please contact us as soon as possible to inform us of a resident's death.

We’ll guide you through the next steps. Please call us or complete this form.  ADD FORM

As a joint tenant, you may have the right to take over the tenancy and remain in your home (for example, after the death of a spouse).

You will be responsible for any unpaid rent or charges. Please contact us to confirm the changes to your tenancy.

Before the tenancy ends

Please clear the home of all personal belongings, including furniture, carpets curtains and any rubbish (including anything in the garden, stores or sheds). 

We may have to charge the resident's estate for the cost of clearing anything left behind. 

Please also:

• Redirect the resident’s post
• Read and give gas, electricity and water meter readings to the relevant suppliers for final bills
• Turn off the water at the mains stopcock
• Lock the property and close all windows
• Notify the local council about Council Tax and Housing Benefit (if applicable).