You need to tell us in advance if you want to move out (called ‘giving notice’). You usually need to give at least 4 weeks’ notice but check your tenancy agreement to make sure.
You must:
- Give your notice in writing – we will send you a document to complete.
- Keep paying your rent until your tenancy officially ends.
You can move out before the end of the notice period, but you will still need to pay rent until your tenancy officially ends.
Request to end your tenancy
We’ll respond within 5 working days and send you a document to complete and sign. Your notice period will start once we have received the signed document.
Ending a tennacy if a tenant has died
Request an end of tenancy document using the link above and let us know you’re ending a tenancy on behalf of someone else.
You must be the person dealing with the late tenant’s estate. You will need to provide a copy of the death certificate.
When your notice starts
Some tenancy agreements require your notice to start on a Monday and end on a Sunday.
If you give notice on any day other than a Monday, the first day of your notice period will be the following Monday. For example, if you give notice on a Wednesday, your notice period would start the following Monday.
If you paid a deposit when you moved in (‘deposit-based tenancy’)
Your notice will start from the same date of the month that the tenancy began.
For example, if you started your tenancy on the 15th of the month, your notice period would start on the 15th of the month and end on the 14th of the following month.
Delay or cancel your move
Contact us online to request delaying or cancelling your move.
If it’s less than 1 week until your tenancy ends, call us as soon as possible on 020 3535 3535. Phone lines are open Monday to Friday, 8am – 6pm.
We may not delay or cancel your notice period if you have breached your tenancy agreement – for example, anti-social behaviour.
Returning your keys
After you submit your notice, we’ll tell you where to return your keys.
All keys must be returned before midday on the day after your tenancy officially ends. If keys aren’t returned by this time, we’ll charge you for the cost of changing the locks.
Things to do before you move out
Tell the relevant organisations you’re moving
For example, ask the Post Office to redirect your mail and tell your local council you’re moving so you’re paying the correct Council Tax.
If you receive benefits, you need to tell the Government you’re moving. Find out how to report a change of circumstances on GOV.UK.
Take meter readings
Take meter readings from your gas, electricity and water (if applicable) meters before you leave. Tell your energy supplier that you’re moving.
British Gas will take over the energy supply of the property and they may contact you to confirm meter readings when you moved out.
Leave the property in good condition
We may charge you for any damage to the property, or if there are missing items.
We know certain things can get worse or need replacing over time, like paintwork. This is known as ‘fair wear and tear’ and we won’t charge you for this.
If you have deposit-based tenancy, we arrange a check-out visit when you leave to confirm whether your deposit can be returned to you.
Clear the property
Please remove anything belonging to you from the property.
This includes any gas or electrical appliances (unless they were there when you moved in). If you’re removing a gas appliance, it must be done by a Gas Safe engineer.
We’ll remove anything you leave behind and may charge you for this.
You should also remove any rubbish, leaving the property clean and tidy.