Giving up your tenancy

Some tenants mistakenly believe that when they move out of a property their tenancy will automatically end. This is not the case. Your tenancy may only be ended by a court order or if you surrender it.

If you want to end your tenancy ...

1. Write to your local housing office, giving the council at least four weeks notice that you intend to move

2. If you don’t, we may charge you the full rent for that period (this does not normally apply if you are transferring to another council property)

3. The notice must end on a Monday (tenancies start and end on a Monday).

When you move out ...

4. You must give us back all the keys to your property (including door entry key fobs, garages, car spaces and sheds). You must do this on or before the last day of the notice.

5. Clear your property (including garden and communal areas) of all your rubbish, furniture or other belongings. If you don’t we may get rid of anything left in the property or store it for up to six months if it is of some value.

6. Make good any changes to your home made by you unless you have written agreement from the council to carry out the changes. If you don’t, the council will make good any changes made by you

7. Give us ‘vacant possession’ – you, and everyone else living there, must move out

8. If the council has to do any of the above we will charge you for the cost and you may also be responsible for paying a charge equivalent to the rent while the council makes any of these arrangements.

Related services

For more information about ending your tenancy see your tenancy agreement.

Further information

For further information on the above, or any other issues you may have concerning your tenancy agreement, please contact your local housing office.