Moving Out

How to end your tenancy in 7 simple steps.

When you signed your tenancy agreement you agreed to give us at least four weeks' written notice before leaving your home and to leave your home in a clean and tidy condition.

It is important that you keep to this agreement otherwise you may be charged extra rent, or have to pay for any extra work we have to carry out before new residents can move in.

Step 1 - Give us at least 28 days' written notice

When you intend to leave your home, you must give us at least 28 days' written notice. This is a condition of your tenancy with us.

Step 2 - Continue paying your rent

Please remember you are responsible for paying your rent up until the end of your tenancy, or until your keys are handed in, whichever is the later.

Step 3 - Inform others

If utility bills (water, gas, electricity) are in your name, you must tell the companies you are moving out, otherwise you may have to pay bills after you have left. The gas and electricity companies will need final meter readings, as will the water company if you have a water meter. This is so they can work out your final bill. They will also need to know your new or forwarding address. Remember you may also need to go to the Post Office to arrange for your mail to be sent on to your new or forwarding address. There is a charge for this service. We will not forward mail to you after you have left the property.

Step 4 - Council Tax, housing benefit and the Department for Work and Pensions

If you claim benefits, you must contact the DWP to let them know you are changing your address. If you do not do this, you may risk losing certain payments. You must contact your local authority to tell them you are moving as this affects your council tax and housing benefit.

Step 5 - Clean your home when you move

To help us re-let your home quickly, we require you to leave it - and your garden (if you have one) - in a clean and reasonable condition. Please make sure that both are clear of rubbish and your home is in a good state of repair. Repairs that are needed and are not your responsibility must be reported to us. Otherwise, we will charge you for the extra cleaning or repairs work.

Step 6 - Hand in your keys to Omega Lettings

You must hand in the keys (main keys together with any garage or communal door keys) at our main office. We will give you a receipt for your keys. If you do not hand in your keys by midday you will have to pay another full week's rent. Before you leave, please make the property safe by locking all the doors. If you have window keys, please lock the windows and leave the window keys in the property. If you have a key/card meter, you must return the key/card when you hand in the keys to the property.

Step 7 - Pay what you owe

As a matter of policy, we chase up all outstanding arrears on your rent account - no matter how small they are. Please make sure that you pay Omega Lettings or the Local Authority if you are a Council tenant the full amount of money you owe before you leave your home.