Your guide to moving out and ending your tenancy
We're here to support you through the process of giving notice and ending your tenancy. You can find all you need to know about ending your tenancy below including notice periods, how to give notice and next steps.
When can I give my notice?
Once you have found a new home, you’ll need to give notice on your current home.
You will typically need to give us four full weeks’ notice with the tenancy ending on a Sunday.
This means that the first day of your notice will need to be on a Monday. If you let us know on any other day than a Monday, the first date of your notice will be the following Monday.
How can I give my notice?
Complete the form below to give your notice. You can also complete this form if you are the appointed representative, nominated representative or next of kin (NOK).
If you are unable to complete this form online, contact your Housing Officer.
What happens next?
Once we have received your request, our housing team will:
- confirm the requested termination date
- advise you of the date and time of the property inspection
- send you a copy of our recharges
- advise who you can contact if you need to extend your termination date or have any further questions.
More information about some of the tasks you'll need to do before you leave your home can be found below. These steps would need to be completed to end your tenancy.
Property inspection
We will need to complete a property inspection prior to you moving out. We will arrange a date and time with you as you’ll need to be present during the inspection.
This inspection may take up to two hours, and our inspector will require access to all rooms within the property to assess the condition.
We understand that general wear and tear can happen. Our inspector will look for more major damage to the property and will discuss any potential recharges required to put the property back to letting standard. You can find a list of recharges here.
Clearing the property
The property and loft (if applicable) must be cleared of all possessions.
Remove all rubbish and waste materials as well as any unwanted furniture, carpets, curtains, or other possessions. During the inspection, you will be advised if any floor coverings and gripper rods will need to be removed as well.
Good quality furniture and white goods can be taken or arranged to be collected by the Devon & Cornwall Furniture Reuse Project (01752 600277). Plymouth City Council also offer a bulky waste collection service.
As well as the general living space, you should also clear any loft, storage shed or garden if you have one. If there is a garden, ensure that the grass has been cut, hedges and shrubs are cut back to a maintainable level and all rubbish and cuttings are cleared.
If we have to clear away rubbish after you have left, we will recharge you for our expenses to do so. Plymouth Community Homes will not accept responsibility or liability for loss or damage to anything left in the property. If there is anything you have difficulty moving, please let us know.
Utilities
Update your address and redirect your post to your new address with Royal Mail.
You should also change your address with these companies:
- Council Tax
- Electoral register
- Bank
- Subscriptions
- Employer
- Pension administrator
- Insurers including home and car insurance
- TV License
- DVLA for your driving license
- Pharmacy, GP and hospital.
Handing back the keys
The property must be fully secured by closing and locking all windows and all external doors, shed doors and garage doors.
We will install a key safe to the outside of the property. Keys for the property must be left in the key safe no later than 8am on the morning after the agreed date of termination. You will be provided with the key safe code nearer to the termination date. You do not need to wait at the property once you have put the keys in the key safe.
You are welcome to move out of the property and hand back the keys before the end of the notice period, however you will still need to pay your rent until the end of your notice.
