Ending your Tenancy (moving out of your home)

• Home
• Housing
• Information for tenants and leaseholders
• About Your Tenancy
• Your Tenancy - what you need to know
• Your Tenancy Agreement and related information
• Ending your Tenancy (moving out of your home)

There are a few important procedures you need to be aware of when ending your tenancy. It’s important that you follow these procedures to avoid any unnecessary charges.

The information on this page is also available in a printed booklet. If you would like a copy please phone our Customer Contact Centre 020 8547 5003. Alternatively you can download a copy - see related documents below.

Use the shortcut links to go to the information you need:

You can end your tenancy at any time by giving us at least four clear weeks ‘Notice to Quit’ in writing. The tenancy must finish on a Monday. If you are joint tenants, one tenant can end the tenancy by giving us notice in this way. It isn’t necessary for all joint tenants to give notice. There is a Notice to Quit at the back of your tenancy agreement. Alternatively download the form on this page - see related documents below.

If you want to move out of the property before the notice period has expired you can do so by paying us the four weeks rent and returning your keys.

If you are transferring to another council property you don’t need to give us written notice.   

If you move out without telling us you will remain liable for the property and for paying the rent until we can end your tenancy. We can only end your tenancy by serving you Notice and obtaining a Court Order. This takes several weeks and you will remain liable for the rent until the time the Court gives us possession of the property.  

Once we receive your Notice to Quit we will contact you, advising you that we will visit your home before you move out. During our visit to your home we will notify you of any work you need to carry out before moving out. The visit also gives you the opportunity to discuss any queries you may have. Any issues will be put in writing to you.

Back to top

The following checklist should help you in preparing to leave your home.

End of Tenancy Checklist	Tick off as appropriate
Clearing and Cleaning Clear the property of ALL personal belongings and leave it in a clean and tidy condition. Any loft space and/or garden area must also be left clear.
Council Tax Contact your Council Tax office to advise them that you are moving.
Damage Damaged caused by you will be recharged in ALL cases.
External Buildings (for example garages, sheds etc) Make sure that all external buildings are emptied of personal items.
Fixtures and Fittings Fixtures and fittings that were installed without permission must be removed. Missing or damaged fixtures and fittings must be replaced. Fixtures and fittings that were in place when you moved in must not be removed.
Forwarding Address Make sure that we have your forwarding address at the first available opportunity (before you move out of your home).
Freestanding Cookers These must be removed from the property unless you are given express written permission to leave it. Removal must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer (for gas cookers) and a qualified engineer (for electric cookers).
Home Improvements If you have made authorised alterations/improvements to your home you may claim compensation. This can be done up to 28 days before the end of your tenancy or within 14 days of the end of your tenancy.
Housing Benefit If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit, contact the Housing Benefit Department on the day you move out.
Mail Redirect all mail to your new address.
Other Benefits Don’t forget to make sure that any other benefit departments are aware of your forwarding address to make sure there is no break in any benefits that may be due to you.
Removals Arrange for your removals in plenty of time. Any goods left in your home will be removed and disposed of in accordance with the law and council policy. You will be recharged for any costs incurred in the removal and possible storage of any items you leave behind.
Rent You must pay any outstanding rents, eligible and non-eligible service charges and tenancy charges before you leave your home. If you have a problem in doing this, speak to your Income Recovery Manager.
Repairs Make sure that any repairs that are not the responsibility of the Council are carried out to a satisfactory standard. If they are not, you may be recharged for the cost of the Council carrying out the repair.
Returning Keys A FULL set of keys for the property which comprises of: All external door keys including night latch and dead locks. Any internal door keys. All window keys. Any keys to external sheds, garages or outbuildings. All keys to communal doors. All fobs for communal entrances. All gas/electric cards/keys. must be returned by 12 noon on the Monday your tenancy ends (or earlier) to The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Customer Contact Centre, Guildhall Two, High Street, Kingston, Surrey, KT1 1EU, unless you have made other specific arrangements with your estate manager.
Support Advise anybody who supports you in your tenancy that you are moving home.
Telephone (landline and mobile) and Broadband/Cable/Satellite Services Contact your telephone/broadband/cable/satellite television provider and arrange transfer to your new address.
Utilities (water, gas, electric) Advise your gas and electric supplier that you are moving out and clear your account. Contact Thames Water to clear your account and/or to inform them that you are no longer the occupier.

Back to top

• Vacant (you must not leave any possessions and no one else must be living there).
• In a good state of repair.
• Clean and free from rubbish.

This also applies to any garden, loft space or communal areas.  

If you are also ending your garage/store/shed tenancy this must also be empty and in a good state of repair. If you leave anything behind we will remove it and you will be charged for the costs of removal and/or storage.

You will also have to pay for any repairs or other works that we have to carry out at the end of your tenancy, which were your responsibility or were caused by you breaking the terms of your tenancy conditions.

You must return all keys, fobs, entry-call keys and parking permits to the Customer Contact Centre by 12 noon on the day that you move out of your home. If you do not do this, we will charge you an additional week’s rent and/or change the locks at your expense.

If you require any further information on ending your tenancy and moving out of your home please speak to your estate manager.

Back to top