Termination of Tenancies

Below you can find information on termination of your tenancy, including your responsibilities for moving out of your home, what to do if you or someone you know is moving into permanent residential or nursing home care, or what to do if a family member who is a tenant has passed away.

Moving Out of your Council Home

There is so much you need to do when you are moving home, but during this very stressful and demanding experience it can be easy to forget some of the things you need to do.

This guide provides you with the details of your responsibilities as an outgoing tenant, with regard to your current property, as well as providing you with details of the council’s responsibilities during the process.

You should use this information hand in hand with your pre-termination visit, or telephone call, depending on your circumstances and we will be happy to assist with your questions. We want your move to be a smooth and successful one.

Once you have informed us that you are moving from your home you will be visited or contacted by one of our Property Liaison Officers. During the conversation you will be advised of any issues which need to be addressed prior to ending your tenancy.

If you are being considered for a transfer to another Dudley Council property or nomination to a housing association property, we will carry out this visit before a decision to proceed can be made.

An inspection will take place and if we identify any issues e.g. re-chargeable repairs, your transfer application may be suspended until these issues have been addressed.

You must leave the property in a safe and clean condition when you end your tenancy.

General to do for all tenancy terminations:

Remove all items of furniture, personal belongings, etc
Fill and smooth over any holes in walls from wall hangings, etc
Address any issues identified during your pre-termination inspection
Remove any non-standard fixtures & fittings where permission has not been given by the council for them to remain
Clear and tidy front and rear gardens including cutting lawns, trimming back any overgrown bushes, etc
Remove sheds, greenhouses, garden ornaments, toys, rubbish, etc
Fill in garden ponds and reinstate garden
Clear any outhouses and remove rubbish
Clear any items stored in the loft and remove rubbish
Clean property throughout to include cupboards, work surfaces, toilets, bathrooms, skirting boards, doors and frames

Utilities

It is important that you notify your utility companies before you move to ensure your account is closed on your moving date. It is your responsibility to notify these companies of your final meter reading.

Utilities include:

Gas/electricity (including pre-payment meters with key/fob)
Water
TV Licence (you may need to transfer to your new address)

Change of address

You should notify relevant companies of your change of address to ensure you continue to receive your post. If you want to have your post forwarded this can be arranged via the Post Office for a nominal fee for an allocated amount of time.

Dudley Council does not take responsibility for any post received at the property once the tenancy has ended.

Paying your rent

If you are transferring to another council property, or have been nominated to a housing association by Dudley Council, you will be required to sign a short notice and you will be responsible for rent payments until your tenancy ends.

If you are moving to a non-council property you will be required to give four weeks notice in writing. You will need to pay rent until your tenancy ends and clear any outstanding debts.

If you hand in your keys prior to the notice period you are still responsible for rent until the tenancy ends.

Information for everyone leaving our properties

The Property Liaison Officer may carry out a 'move out day' where an officer will collect the keys from you at the property and carry out a final inspection to ensure that the property has been left in a satisfactory condition and to discuss potential recharges. You will be advised if this is necessary.

Handing in keys

Keys should be handed in at Dudley Council Plus, Castle Street, Dudley DY1 1LQ (open Monday-Friday 10am-3pm) unless alternative arrangements have been made with the Property Liaison Officer.

Should you have any questions regarding the above please contact Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345 or visit us online via MyDudley

Moving into Permanent Residential or Nursing Home Care

Whenever a council tenant moves to permanent residential or nursing care, it is important that the council is notified by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345 or via MyDudley. Only the named person or persons on the tenancy agreement can remain in the property.

Confirmation will be required that this is a permanent arrangement before the tenancy can be terminated. This may be an email from the Social Worker, or a letter from the residential/nursing home.

If the tenant has capacity they may be required to sign a four week notice.

We will arrange a convenient appointment for our Property Liaison Officer to contact the tenant's representative to complete all relevant paperwork and advise on arrangements to terminate the tenancy.

Rent is still payable until the keys are returned and the tenancy ends.

Legal termination of the tenancy will always be on a Monday before 12 noon. Therefore, if the keys are returned after 12 noon on a Monday, or on any other day, the tenancy will end the following Monday.

If the tenant is in receipt of housing benefit or the housing element of universal credit, the tenant's representative will need to contact the Benefits Team or DWP (Department of Works & Pension), for further advice.

Gas, electric and water meters, if applicable, should be read and utility companies notified.

Please view details within "Your Responsibilities" section above.

For further information, please contact Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.

Advice for Relatives of Tenants who have Passed Away

When a person has passed away their death needs to be registered with the council’s registration service. If they were a Dudley Council tenant you will also need to inform Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.

Tell Us Once is a free service officer by HM Government.

Once you have notified Dudley Council, either directly or through Tell Us Once, we will arrange a convenient appointment for our Property Liaison Officer to contact the tenant's representative. They will arrange completion of the relevant paperwork and give advice on arrangements to terminate the tenancy.

Rent is still payable on the tenancy until the keys are returned.

If the tenant was in receipt of housing benefit or the housing element of universal credit, this will end on the Sunday following the death. This will mean that full rent will be charged from this date until the keys are returned and the tenancy is ended.

Any outstanding rent balance will need to be paid from the estate of the tenant. A letter will be sent to the tenant's representative once the tenancy is ended advising the balance outstanding. If there are monies from the estate to cover the balance payment should be made to the payment reference on the letter.

Gas, electric and water meters, if applicable, should be read and utility companies notified.

Please view details within "Your Responsibilities" section above.

For further information, please contact Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.