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Ending your tenancy

If you'd like to end your tenancy with us, you must give us four weeks' notice.

Tell us about your move

When you're moving out, you must make sure everyone vacates the property by 10.30am on the date your tenancy ends.

Before you move out you must:

  • give us 28 days written notice by completing a tenancy termination notice
  • allow us to inspect your property
  • pay your rent in full
  • ensure the property is clean and tidy
  • remove all your belongings

Please drop your keys off at the reception in Laurence House between 9am and 4pm Monday to Friday.

Moving out

Your tenancy agreement states that when you leave your home you must “remove all of your belongings, and anything that belongs to another person, and leave your home clear of refuse.”

It also states “your home should be empty, including the removal of carpets, except for fixtures and fittings that belong to us.”

This means that before you move out, you must ensure your home is in a good standard of repair and empty of all your furniture and belongings.

This includes:

  • removing flooring, including carpets and laminate flooring
  • removing furniture and appliances
  • clearing all cupboards inside and outside your home
  • clearing the balcony and garden (if applicable)
  • leaving the property clean and tidy
  • reporting any current repairs

If you do not clear the property, we may have to pay external companies to remove furniture and household items, and you will be charged for this.

Donate, recycle, dispose

Visit our Recycling and Rubbish web pages for more information on bulk waste collection, recycling, donating to charity, and access to Lewisham’s Reuse and Recycling Centre on Landmann Way, SE14 5RS.

Bulk waste collection points

If you live on an estate, you may have access to a free bulk waste collection point, sometimes referred to as a lumber point. If you aren’t sure, email estates@lewisham.gov.uk or call 0800 028 2028 (option 7, then option 2).

Sell it or give it away

Why not sell or give away your unwanted goods online? Buyers will usually collect from your home. Services include eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and Freecycle.

Pay off arrears

Make sure you pay off any outstanding debt owed to Lewisham Council, such rent arrears or any court costs. You will be liable for any outstanding debt after you
leave, and this may be passed to a debt collection agency to collect on our behalf.

Moving out checklist

Check off everything you need to do before moving out as you go:

  • remove carpets/flooring/
  • furniture
  • clear cupboards/loft/shed/drive
  • remove garden furniture
  • replace broken fixtures
  • remove belongings
  • redirect post
  • change council tax address
  • change bank account address
  • change driving licence address
  • securely lock property
  • label and return keys and fobs
  • clear any rent arrears

Utilities (if applicable)

  • take meter readings
  • cancel electricity
  • cancel gas
  • cancel water
  • cancel phone

Deceased tenancy

Informing others of your move

The Post Office can redirect mail from your old home to your new one.

Make sure you tell everyone of your move, including the following companies (where applicable):

  • your employer;
  • the Department for Work and Pensions if you receive Income Support, a state pension or any other allowance
  • our Council Tax team
  • your bank, building society and credit card companies
  • the Driving Licence Agency (DVLA) – please see your driving licence for details
  • your doctor and dentist
  • TV licensing, gas, electricity and water companies

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