Ending a tenancy

Ending Your Tenancy

Notifying us

If you decide you wish to end your tenancy you must provide us with at least four weeks’ notice in writing. You can call to tell us and we will send you a Termination of Tenancy form to complete, either electronically or by post. It is important that we are provided with a  forwarding address for you.

Your notice period can sometimes be shortened to two weeks if you are moving to another social landlord via a Choice Based Lettings scheme, or if you are transferring between Bernicia properties. Your tenancy will always end on a Sunday.

If you have any questions about ending your tenancy you should speak to your Housing Officer.

Before your tenancy ends

You must leave your property in good condition, and could be recharged for any damage to the property, or any items left behind.

We may arrange to visit your home to complete an inspection, when we will let you know if you need to do anything before you return the keys to us. This will include requesting any repairs, removing any alterations which should not remain in the property, and ensuring the property is in good condition without any items being left behind.

At the end of your notice period you may want to think about arranging for your mail to be redirected, and notifying your utility companies of the date that you are moving. People to inform include:

• council tax department
• gas & electric companies
• Jobcentre Plus
• TV licencing
• telephone & internet providers

Returning your keys

Your keys should be returned to us no later than 12 noon on the Monday following the end date of your tenancy. You can either return the keys in person to our nearest office, by post, or we can arrange to collect the keys from the property.

If you are posting keys we suggest using recorded delivery, as you will remain liable for the property until the keys are received by us.

After your tenancy has ended

You will receive a final statement of your rent account, and where appropriate details of any recharges which may have incurred.

You will no longer have access to your property so it is important that you have already changed your address so that any post or parcels are not delivered to us. If this happens we will return them to the sender.

If we end your tenancy

Our approach to eviction

We aim to help tenants keep their tenancy wherever possible. Eviction is always a last resort.

Where there is a problem with a tenancy, we will try to understand what has happened, offer advice and look at practical steps to help resolve any issues.

Supporting tenants to stay in their home

Our focus is on helping tenants maintain a successful tenancy.

Where there is a concern, such as a breach of tenancy conditions, we will usually speak with the tenant first. This may include offering guidance, discussing what needs to change and helping the tenant access support from Bernicia or other organisations.

When eviction may be considered

Eviction is only considered when serious issues have not been resolved after reasonable steps have been taken.

This may include:

• serious criminal activity
• significant risks to other people
• repeated breaches of tenancy conditions

In some cases, we may need to act more quickly if there is a serious risk to safety or if the situation is not appropriate to resolve in another way.

How we will communicate

If there are concerns about a tenancy, we will explain:

• what the issue is
• what could happen next
• what steps may help put things right

Where appropriate, the tenant will have the chance to respond, ask questions and share any personal circumstances that may affect their ability to engage with us.

Taking individual needs into account

We understand that every tenant’s situation is different.

We will take account of vulnerability, safeguarding concerns and any other relevant circumstances. Where appropriate, reasonable adjustments will be made to help tenants access services and meet their tenancy responsibilities.

Working with other services

If safeguarding concerns are identified during eviction action, including concerns about children or vulnerable people in the household, we may contact the relevant local authority. This will be done in line with legal responsibilities.

Where permission has been given, we may also share information with other services to help provide support and reduce the risk of homelessness.

Fair and proportionate action

Any action taken will be based on the seriousness of the issue and the circumstances involved.

We will usually only move towards eviction action after taking reasonable steps to resolve the problem. However, immediate action may be needed where there is a serious risk to others or serious misconduct has taken place.

Following the law

All eviction action is carried out in line with housing law and relevant regulatory requirements.

We will make sure the correct legal process is followed at every stage.

Learn more about how we manage tenancies by reading our tenancy policy.

Surrendering your tenancy

If we begin to take legal action for the possession of your home and you decide you would prefer to end your tenancy with us, please let us know. We will ask you to sign a Termination of Tenancy form which will end your tenancy four weeks from the following Sunday. We will also arrange to collect your keys, or let you know how to return them to us.  If this happens before we have made an application for a court hearing then it will avoid you having to pay any court costs.