Ending a tenancy

Ending your tenancy

If you want to end your tenancy, you need to contact Derby Homes in writing. An email is an acceptable form of written communication. If you have a joint tenancy, notice from one tenant will end the tenancy for all tenants.

Returning keys, fobs and permits

Keys, fobs and parking permits need to be returned by 10am on the date your tenancy ends at the latest. If you do not return all of your keys, we will change the locks to the property. We will charge you for the cost of doing this.

Return address

Derby Homes, 839 London Road, Derby, DE21 8UZ

Rent

You’ll need to continue paying rent until the end of the notice period, or until the keys are returned to us, whichever is the latest.

Vacating the property

All people must vacate the property by the time the tenancy ends. If we need to evict anyone left in the property, we may charge you for the cost of repossessing the property.

Property condition

You must:

Leave the property and garden in a clean and tidy condition.
Clear all belongings and rubbish.
Repair any damage – not caused by reasonable wear and tear.
Remove any unauthorised alterations to the property.
Leave all fixtures and fittings in the state they were in at the beginning of your tenancy.
If any of these conditions aren’t met you may be charged for the costs we incur including removing, storing and disposing of items.

If the tenant has died

Coping with the death of a friend or relative is never easy, and trying to deal with their affairs can be complicated and upsetting.

The following information should help you through this difficult time by explaining what you need to do when a resident of one of our properties dies.

We understand that children, young people and their families will need advice and help more than ever, and our team have pulled together a list of local and national support agencies to help at this time.

Who should I inform?

You can use Tell Us Once through the government website, which is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go.

You can also tell us about the death of a tenant as soon as possible by calling our Customer Services Team (01332 888777) or e-mail [email protected]

We’ll be able to help you check whether you (or anyone living at the property) are able to continue living there or it may be possible for you to end the tenancy.

Help with housing costs

It is important that keys should be returned at the earliest opportunity. Here are some other helpful information:

Rent is still payable on the tenancy until the keys are returned.
If the tenant had any help towards the rent, such as housing benefits, this will cease.
Rent will be due until the tenancy has ended. If the keys to the property are received before 10am the tenancy will end on the same day. If the keys are received after 10am, the tenancy will end the following day.
Any charges identified following the inspection of the property after the keys are returned maybe rechargeable to the estate.
Any outstanding rent balance will need to be paid from the estate of the tenant. A letter will be sent to the next of kin once the tenancy is ended advising the balance outstanding. If there are monies from the estate to cover the balance payment can be made to the payment reference on the letter.
If there is no estate or monies remaining to pay the balance the next of kin will need to write to the Council to confirm that this is the case. The account will then be closed.
Gas and electric meters should be read and utility companies notified.

Supporting you when moving out

Our Patch Manager will advise on the removal of fixtures from the property. We would ask you to clear the property if you are able to do so.

Furniture and other items should be removed from all areas of the property including the loft, garage and outhouse.

If there is any unwanted furniture to dispose of there are a number of ways including hiring a skip or arranging a house clearance – many charities also collect furniture.

You will be advised if non-standard items can be left at the property.