Ending a tenancy and moving home

Moving home can be a stressful experience and it is hard to remember everything you need to do when moving out of your home.You must give four weeks’ notice in writing.

We will send you a 'termination notice' to sign. This is the document which ends your tenancy. The only time you do not have to give four weeks’ notice is when you are transferring to another NKDC tenancy.

Properties

A Housing Officer will complete a property inspection during your notice period, however it is your responsibility to leave your home in a good condition. Before handing in the keys you must make sure that the property is completely clear of all furniture, carpets and rubbish. In addition to this, you must ensure that;

• All walls and ceilings have been brushed down to remove cobwebs and dust. If walls or ceilings are dirty or stained they may need decorating. This may not be obvious until furniture and pictures are moved
• All internal paintwork has been washed down with a suitable cleaning fluid, this includes doors, door frames and skirting boards
• All windows and window frames have been cleaned
• Any light fixtures you have fitted yourself are removed and replaced with a normal pendant fitting
• All kitchen cupboards and drawers must be emptied, swept out and washed with a damp cloth and cleaner. All sinks, taps, draining boards and tiles must also be cleaned
• All kitchen floors must be properly cleaned, especially around the cooker area
• In your bathroom, the bath, basin, tiled walls and window sills must be cleaned. Toilets must also be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with a toilet cleaner before you leave
• Ensure the decoration throughout is clean and tidy. If you leave your home with an extreme decorating scheme, for example very dark colours, you may be charged for re-decoration
• Any damage, which is not wear and tear, is repaired to the original standard
• Loft spaces must be cleared even if you believe the items were there when you moved into the property

Any alterations to the property are removed or reverted, unless you have permission which states they can remain. In some circumstances we may agree to you leaving items such as carpet or curtain rails. If you would like to know if you can leave an item, please contact the Duty Housing Officer on 01529 414155.

Gardens

All gardens should be left in a tidy and manageable condition. All items belonging to you are to be removed. This includes, but is not limited to, planters, structures, building materials, caravans and vehicles.

The general condition of the garden should be left as follows:

• Any alterations you have made, for example ponds and patios, must not be left unless you have permission from the council
• Any lawn is cut to a reasonable level
• Any hedges should be cut and shrub beds left clear and weed free
• All outhouses, council-owned sheds, and lofts must be cleared of all domestic and garden rubbish

Extra refuse collection

Environmental Services can collect and dispose of large items for a charge. Contact the council on 01529 414155 or visit our Bulky waste webpage for more information. This service does not include the collection of garden or building waste.

You can also dispose of unwanted items at various waste disposal sites. Visit the Lincolnshire County Council website to find your local household recycling centre.

The council may charge you for any clearance, cleaning or repairs required at the property once you have handed in the keys.

The council may be able to assist you with the provision of a skip to help clear the property. Please contact the Duty Housing Officer for further information or to request assistance.

Make arrangements for your pets when you move. If you are not allowed to keep pets in your new home, telephone the RSPCA or a local animal charity for advice.

If you are a joint tenant you should be aware of the following:

• One joint tenant can end the tenancy on behalf of all joint tenants. We do not need the agreement of all joint tenants. If this happens, your Housing Officer and the Housing Options team will contact any remaining tenant to discuss housing options
• Each of the joint tenants is responsible for all debts. We will not divide a debt between tenants, but pursue all joint tenants until the full debt is paid

If you are responsible for clearing a property when a relative or friend dies, please let North Kesteven District Council know as soon as possible to provide notice.

You have until the end of the notice period to return the keys, keys can be handed in earlier but this will not reduce the notice period. Rent must be paid until the keys are handed in and the notice period has ended. Housing Benefit payments end on the first Sunday after death. Universal Credit housing element payments will also stop. Full rent is due each week after that.

North Kesteven District Council will claim any outstanding rent from the estate left by the deceased. Should there be no estate, or no funds available in the estate, you will need to inform the council of this and complete an executor declaration form. 

You must return all keys by noon on the Monday following the last day of your tenancy to the council offices in Sleaford. A receipt will be issued when the keys are returned. In the case of a dispute, you will need the receipt.

Alternatively, the Housing Officer can meet you at the property to collect them or where there is a key safe at the property, you may leave the keys inside and give the council the key safe code. You must notify the council when this has been done.

What if I have carried out alterations during my tenancy?

You should have requested permission from the council prior to making any alterations to the property. If you have made alterations to the property without permission, you must notify your Housing Officer immediately.

If the Housing Officer is satisfied that the alterations meet the relevant conditions then you will be given retrospective permission, however you may still have to remove them before you leave. If you do not do this, you will be charged for the cost of removal. If you have made alterations and are unsure if they need to be removed, please contact your Housing Officer.

What if there is damage to the property?

If there is evidence of neglect or damage caused by you, your household or visitors, we 
will charge you for repair works. Any recharges that are identified at the void inspection will be photographed as evidence of the condition of the property.

What else should I do before handing in the keys?

• Read the electricity meter and tell your supplier you are moving so you don’t get overcharged
• Turn gas supply off, read meter and tell supplier you are moving
• Turn off the water at the stop-cock and tell Anglian Water that you are moving
• Tell your telephone and internet supplier that you are moving
• Re-direct your post to your new address by contacting the post-office. Visit the Royal Mail website for more information.