Council tenants - how to end your tenancy

What do I need to do to end my tenancy?

To end your tenancy you must give us four clear weeks notice.

1. Complete a notice to quit form (pdf, 22 KB). Take it to any Customer Service Point or send it to the Estate Management Service.
2. Your notice must take effect from a Monday and must end the tenancy on a Monday, four weeks later.
3. The notice cannot be backdated. It must be received by us, before 12 noon on the first Monday of the notice period.

What if I am joint tenant?

If you are a joint tenant and you give notice, the whole tenancy will end. The remaining tenant(s) will not automatically be allowed to stay. As an alternative you may want to consider assigning your tenancy, to the other joint tenant(s). For further information please contact the Estate Management Service.

What if I change my mind?

If you want to withdraw your notice you must seek permission from the Estate Management Service. We can withdraw the notice, but only during the period before your tenancy ends. It cannot be withdrawn once the date given in the notice has passed.

Before you leave

Please see our useful checklist (pdf, 79 KB) of things you should do before you leave. You should make sure that:

1. Your home is left clean and tidy with no damage. Everything must be the same way as when you started your tenancy, allowing for fair wear and tear.
2. You remove all rubbish, furniture and possessions from your home, loft, garden and shed (if you have one). We offer a bulky waste service. Contact the Customer Services Centre on 0117 922 2100 if you have large items to dispose of. They can also advise you on groups that can reuse or recycle large items.
3. You pay any outstanding rent and other charges. If you have any difficulty in doing this please contact the Rent Management Service. In exceptional circumstances we may make an arrangement for you to continue to pay the debt after you have moved.
4. If applicable contact Council Tax/Housing Benefit and the Department for Work and Pensions (external website).
5. You let your utility (electric, gas, water) companies know. You will need to end your accounts or change your details as appropriate. You will also need to provide meter readings.
6. You let your bank, building society, insurance company and any other agencies you have contact with know.
7. You arrange with the Post Office (external website) to redirect your mail.
8. If you have made any improvements to your property you may be liable to compensation (pdf, 263 KB).
9. You leave your home empty with no one left in occupation. 

Handing in your keys

Your keys must be handed into any Customer Service Point by 12 noon on the day you are ending your tenancy. If you do not return all the keys by this time, you will be liable for a charge. 

Recharges

We will take steps to recover from you any reasonable costs we incur in:

• Replacing or repairing any missing or damaged items.
• Replacing or repairing any alterations, which do not comply with relevant regulations.
• Replacing or repairing any non standard fittings (e.g. light fittings).
• Bringing your garden back to a manageable condition.
• Meeting all reasonable charges for the removal, storage or disposal of goods left in the property at the end of the tenancy.

Further information

For useful telephone numbers and further information please see our ending your tenancy factsheet (pdf, 266 KB).