Tenant moving out
Please let the housing officer know if the tenant intends to move out.
Tenant Moving Out - common questions
Tenancy Terminations
A tenancy can come to an end for several different reasons, and they could be in the form of:
• Formal termination – where a tenant gives formal written notice
• Death of a tenant
• Transfer – where a tenant moves to another property managed by the landlord
• Abandonment – where a tenant has abandoned a property without notice
• Eviction – where we have completed court action and taken possession
• Formal termination – where a tenant gives formal written notice
• Death of a tenant
• Transfer – where a tenant moves to another property managed by the landlord
• Abandonment – where a tenant has abandoned a property without notice
• Eviction – where we have completed court action and taken possession
What does a tenant have to do if they want to end their tenancy?
Only the tenant, or their legal appointee, can end their tenancy. Tenants are required to give four complete weeks’ notice in writing of the intention to move out, starting on a Monday and ending on a Sunday. If the tenant moves out earlier, then they will still have to pay the four weeks’ rent and service charges due up until the termination date.
We can provide the tenant with a standard termination of tenancy form to complete and return.
Alternatively, the tenant/their appointee may prefer to write their own letter. If the tenant does not have the capacity to end their tenancy, but it is in the best interest that the tenant moves on from the accommodation, then we would request that a Best Interest Report is obtained from a social worker or a professional who is authorised to provide one.
We ask that as soon as you know that there is going to be a vacancy at a property that you contact your housing officer or the RWP contact centre.
We can provide the tenant with a standard termination of tenancy form to complete and return.
Alternatively, the tenant/their appointee may prefer to write their own letter. If the tenant does not have the capacity to end their tenancy, but it is in the best interest that the tenant moves on from the accommodation, then we would request that a Best Interest Report is obtained from a social worker or a professional who is authorised to provide one.
We ask that as soon as you know that there is going to be a vacancy at a property that you contact your housing officer or the RWP contact centre.
What happens next?
• We will acknowledge the termination in writing
• Confirm the date the tenancy will end on
• Give the current rent account balance
• Advise that the rent account must be completely clear at the end of the tenancy
• Advise the Housing Benefit department or in the case of Universal Credit the DWP of the termination date.
• Confirm the date the tenancy will end on
• Give the current rent account balance
• Advise that the rent account must be completely clear at the end of the tenancy
• Advise the Housing Benefit department or in the case of Universal Credit the DWP of the termination date.
When the tenant moves out of the property
When the tenant moves out, they must ensure that:
• The property is left in a clean and tidy condition
• The property is cleared of all effects
• Any fixtures or fittings installed without permission have been removed
• Any damage caused is put right
• All keys to be returned to you or RWP on or before the end of the tenancy date
• Any outstanding rent is paid up to and including the end of the tenancy date regardless of whether the tenant has moved out prior to this date
• They advise the Housing Benefit department or DWP in the case of Universal Credit of the termination date
• They provide a forwarding address
• They advise Royal Mail, utility companies, and any other organisations of their change of address
If the tenant leaves furniture in the property after the tenancy has ended, we may recharge the tenant for the cost of removing or storing any items left behind.
• The property is left in a clean and tidy condition
• The property is cleared of all effects
• Any fixtures or fittings installed without permission have been removed
• Any damage caused is put right
• All keys to be returned to you or RWP on or before the end of the tenancy date
• Any outstanding rent is paid up to and including the end of the tenancy date regardless of whether the tenant has moved out prior to this date
• They advise the Housing Benefit department or DWP in the case of Universal Credit of the termination date
• They provide a forwarding address
• They advise Royal Mail, utility companies, and any other organisations of their change of address
If the tenant leaves furniture in the property after the tenancy has ended, we may recharge the tenant for the cost of removing or storing any items left behind.
What happens if a tenant dies?
We recognise that this is a difficult time for the care provider staff who have known the tenant and supported them throughout their tenancy. It is also appreciated that it is a sensitive time for tenants’ families. In the unfortunate event of the death of a tenant, your housing officer will advise what is needed to end the tenancy as it does not legally end due to the death.
Once we have the documents needed, the tenancy will be terminated on the date of death and Housing Benefit is only paid up until this date. In the case of Universal Credit, this would end from the beginning of the Monthly Assessment Period in which the tenant dies. Unfortunately, we cannot relet the property until the keys are returned.
The family may require some flexibility for clearing the property and extra time may be granted for the property to be cleared and the keys returned. Rent will continue to be charged at the full rent cost until the keys are returned in lieu of storage costs.
Once we have the documents needed, the tenancy will be terminated on the date of death and Housing Benefit is only paid up until this date. In the case of Universal Credit, this would end from the beginning of the Monthly Assessment Period in which the tenant dies. Unfortunately, we cannot relet the property until the keys are returned.
The family may require some flexibility for clearing the property and extra time may be granted for the property to be cleared and the keys returned. Rent will continue to be charged at the full rent cost until the keys are returned in lieu of storage costs.
What happens if a tenant has abandoned the property?
Abandonment is where the tenant appears to have left the property without advising you or us that they intend to terminate their tenancy agreement. There will usually have been some trigger to make you consider whether the tenant has left the property without the intention to return. If this has occurred, please contact your housing officer so we can investigate further. There is a legal procedure that must be followed, and the property cannot be re-let until this process has come to its conclusion. We will keep you updated.
What happens if a tenant has been evicted?
We will follow the legal procedure should a tenant need to be evicted. This is a very rare occurrence where there has been a breach of tenancy, and it is deemed necessary to recover the property. We will work with you to keep any disruption to other tenants to a minimum.