Moving to your new home
Once you have accepted an offer of permanent
accommodation you will need to move from temporary
accommodation to your new address as soon as possible. There are a
number of things you need to be aware of, and the following
frequently asked questions should help inform you of your
rights and responsibilities.
Frequently asked questions
When does the new tenancy start?
When you signed the new tenancy agreement for your permanent
accommodation, it will identify the tenancy date, which is normally
a Monday.
When can I move into my new property?
You must move into the new tenancy on the day
the tenancy starts.
When should I leave my temporary
accommodation?
You must leave your temporary accommodation,
at the latest, on the day your new tenancy starts. You must
not leave anything behind, or remove furniture or kitchen
appliances that belong to the property.
How do I get the keys of the new tenancy?
If you were not given the keys when you signed
the tenancy agreement, your new housing office will call you to
come in and collect them before your moving date.
When do I hand in the keys to my temporary
accommodation?
You must hand in the keys to your temporary
accommodation on the day you move out.
Where do I hand in the keys?
This depends on the type of accommodation you
have been living in.
- Council owned accommodation: return the
keys to the local housing office before 12 noon on the day you
move.
- Private licensed accommodation: contact
your agent who will arrange to come and collect the keys.
- Housing Association property: contact
your housing association and arrange to hand over the keys before
12 noon on the day you move.
- Registered social landlord (RSL)
property: an officer from the homeless service will contact
you to make an appointment to collect the keys.
Will I be given a receipt for the keys?
Yes. When you hand in the keys, you will
be given a receipt. Keep this somewhere safe, as it proves the
day you moved out of your temporary accommodation.
When do I stop paying rent for my temporary
accommodation?
You stop paying on the day you leave
and hand in your keys. If you move, but delay
handing in the keys, you are still responsible for the rent until
the keys are handed in.
When do I start being responsible for the rent on my new
home?
From the day your new tenancy begins, you are
responsible for the rent. If, for some reason, you do not move
in on this date, you are still responsible for the rent from this
day.
What happens if I move into my new
homes but have not completely left, or, not handed in the keys of
my temporary accommodation?
You will be charged for both
rents until the keys of your temporary accommodation are
returned. Housing benefit will not pay the rent on both
properties, so you will have to pay the rent for one of the
properties out of your own pocket.
Who checks the inventory of the
temporary accommodation?
After you have left your temporary
accommodation and handed in your keys, a visit will be made to
inspect the property and check the inventory. Please not that
you will be charged for any loss or damage found.
What happens if I leave goods behind
in the accommodation?
Any goods left behind will be disposed of.
Please make sure you leave no personal goods behind.
Can I get help with decorating or
furniture for my new home?
In some circumstances you can get help with
decorating costs, ask your new housing office. You may also be
able to get help with the costs of furniture – ask at your local
Job Centre Plus office.
Further information
Download Moving to
your new home (PDF, 674k)