Information on terminating your tenancy and what happens to a tenancy when someone dies.
Giving Notice
When giving notice:
- if you decide to leave your home and move out, you must inform us in writing giving four weeks’ notice. Email: housing@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or send a letter to Housing Service, Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow LA14 2LD
- we will write to you to confirm we have received your notice and advise you when the keys are due
- if you are moving into residential care or a nursing home we will not insist on four weeks’ notice
- if you have a joint tenancy either of you can give notice. However, if both parties don’t agree you must contact us immediately
- the notice period can be extended or withdrawn if you so wish
- you should give us your forwarding address
- if the tenancy is ending following a death, please read the section below entitled What happens to a tenancy when someone dies
Property Inspection and how to avoid paying rechargeable repairs when you move out
When a property inspection is carried out:
- you must leave your property and garden clean, tidy and rubbish free.
- we may visit you before you leave to advise you of any repairs or redecoration for which you are responsible.
If we have to carry out these works after you leave, we will charge you. Here’s some advice on how to avoid rechargeable repair costs.
Rent
You must make sure your rent account is clear at the end of your tenancy.
Returning Keys
When returning keys:
- please return all keys including front and back doors, door entry keys, sheds or outhouse on or before 12 midday on the Monday (or next working day if it falls on a bank holiday)
- you will be charged an extra week’s rent for each week you keep the keys, if you are late with the return
- you will be provided with a receipt for the keys from our receptionist
Informing Others
When informing others:
- you should inform your electricity and gas suppliers of your moving date and take meter readings on the day you leave
- you should inform the Council’s Benefits Team that you are moving for Council Tax and Housing Benefit purposes on 01229 404242
- you may wish to redirect your mail, we cannot be responsible for any mail which arrives after you leave
What happens to a tenancy when someone dies?
The days and weeks after losing someone can be difficult enough without struggling to take on board the bewildering amount of information that you are expected to deal with. We hope this information will help you by clearly explaining what you need to do now.
Don’t forget we are here to help, so please call in to see us in the Town Hall or telephone our Lettings Team who will try to help in any way they can on 01229 876550.
I’m the one who has to tell you that someone has died. What do I do?
The sooner we learn of someone’s death, the sooner we can explain everything to you and begin to take the necessary action. You can advise us of someone’s death by telephoning, writing or calling into the office. We will need a copy of the death certificate for our records (we can take a photocopy of the original) and it is also helpful to give us the contact details for someone who will act as the main contact point for us.
The person who died was living with someone else. What happens now?
What happens now depends on individual circumstances. In many cases the person might have held a joint tenancy in which case the surviving joint tenant can remain in the property. Even if there is no joint tenancy, in many cases the partner or surviving adult child of the person will have the right to succeed to the tenancy. Please speak to a member of staff as soon as possible to find out what your personal situation is.
The person who died was living alone. What happens now?
The tenancy will need to end. Whenever a tenancy ends there are certain actions that must be taken.
How much time will we have before the keys have to be returned to the Housing Service?
We will allow you up to four weeks to clear the property and return the keys. Full rent will be charged for this period from the date of the death. Please note housing benefit entitlement ceases on the date of death. Should you require longer than four weeks please speak to a member of staff as soon as possible to discuss the matter.
Ending the tenancy - minimum standard
We expect all properties being returned to the Housing Service to meet a minimum standard. We expect the property to be clean, in good decorative order and without any damage. This is a requirement of everyone’s tenancy agreement and ensures that new tenants can expect a basic minimum standard.
Should the property not meet the minimum standard, rechargeable repairs may be incurred.
Goodbye – Leave it Clean
We want to encourage you to leave your home clean and tidy when you move out so that we will be able to relet it again as quickly as possible, so we’re offering £100 of high street vouchers to tenants who leave their home clear of rubbish and furniture.
Please mention that you wish to be considered for the Goodbye Leave it Clean Scheme when you provide your four weeks’ notice.
To be eligible for these vouchers you must:
- be up to date with your rent payments
- give four weeks’ notice that you’ll be moving out of your home. In special circumstances, your housing officer may be able to agree a shorter notice period
- hand in your keys including front and back doors, door entry keys and key fobs by midday on the Monday or next working day that your tenancy ends
- be leaving to move into private sector property - not transferring to alternative Council property
- leave no repairs outstanding that we would recharge to you
- make sure that the home you are leaving, including any loft and garden or outdoor space, is free from rubbish, furniture and floor coverings, and that all items of waste have been disposed of correctly. We may not pay you if you haven’t disposed of your furniture or rubbish correctly.
You can take rubbish to the Council’s waste recycling centre on Walney Road or you may wish to use the Council’s bulky household waste removal service. For more information please call 01229 876543
Please note, this scheme is not available on the death of a tenant.
For more information
If you need any more information on ending your tenancy please contact us via one of the following methods:
call our Lettings Team on 01229 876550
email: housing@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Some Useful Contacts
Citizens’ Advice Bureau
Ramsden Hall, Abbey Road, Barrow in Furness
Telephone 0808 2787 817
Cruse Bereavement Care
Staffed by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by bereavement.
Website: www.cruse.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 808 1677
Email: info@cruse.org.uk