The terms and conditions of your tenancy agreement set out the council's responsibilities and your responsibilities regarding leaving your home and ending your tenancy.

It is important that you sign a tenancy termination form at your local area office, otherwise you will continue to be charged rent on your old home. Normally a tenant can only terminate their tenancy on 4 weeks written notice, ending on a Sunday or Monday. It may be possible to agree a shorter notice period but not if you are a joint tenant.

Rent on your property must be paid up to the Monday the tenancy ends, and that includes any arrears you may have.

Return your keys to the reception desk at your local area office before 12.00 noon on the Monday your tenancy ends. If you do not, you will continue to be charged rent.

You may be entitled to receive compensation from Brent Housing Partnership on behalf of the council for improvements you have made to your home but please remember that you will be required to restore any original fixtures and fittings if you remove any improved fittings when you leave.

Joint tenants

If you are joint tenants and one of you terminates the tenancy, the whole tenancy comes to an end. Brent Housing Partnership on behalf of the council will consider allowing the remaining joint tenant to stay under a new tenancy but that depends on the circumstances of each case, and should not be assumed.

Termination of your tenancy by the council

If you cease to occupy your home, you may lose the right to keep your home and Brent Housing Partnership can take action to repossess the property. It is therefore important that you let your housing officer know if you are going to be away from your home for an extended period. This may include a stay in hospital or a long holiday.

Clearance

You are responsible for clearing all your belongings from your home before returning your keys. If you do not move all your belongings, Brent Housing Partnership will charge you for clearing them and they may be sold or destroyed.

Death of a tenant

If a council tenant dies and you are responsible for making arrangements for them, you should inform your local area office immediately, and tell them when you intend to return the keys, (unless there is a successor or surviving joint tenant). Rent is charged until the keys are handed in.

If you wish, Brent Housing Partnership will remove any items from the property, but you will need to authorise this in writing on behalf of the estate of the deceased tenant.