Ending a tenancy

After you’ve finished clearing the property, please ensure all windows are closed and external doors are locked and secure before returning the keys to us.

Please don’t post the keys to us or leave them in the property as this could delay the tenancy end date. You’ll need to hand all keys back to us, including any window, shed, outside storage cupboards, bin storage, garage, communal entrance door keys and fobs. If the property has a key safe and you know the code, please inform us of this when you return the keys.

Returning the keys at an allocated appointment time:

All keys and fobs will need to be returned to our main office at an allocated appointment time immediately following the Sunday termination date. We’ll provide you with an allocated appointment time by letter once we acknowledge receipt of the Termination Notice.

Our office address is:

Valley House,
98 Waters Meeting Road,
Bolton,
BL1 8SW.

You should only attend at the allocated appointment time. If the appointment we’ve given you isn’t convenient, please call us on 01204 328000 to rearrange the appointment.

We’ll also send you a reminder of your appointment date and time by phone, text, or email - so please ensure you provide us with an up-to-date contact number and/or email address.

Once you’ve returned the keys, a member of staff will provide you with a receipt for your records.

If you fail to return all keys and any fobs, we’ll need to charge for the cost of replacing the locks at the property.

Please note: handing in the keys without giving the full notice required does not end the tenancy. If you give less notice, or hand in the keys early, Bolton at Home will still charge rent for the full notice period.

Please clear the entire property including loft space, store cupboards, outbuildings, garages, and gardens.

You must remove all furniture, carpets, laminate flooring, and personal belongings. The only exceptions are items belonging to the local council (if there was a furnished tenancy agreement with the council, for example).

Any furniture, possessions, or rubbish left in the property or gardens after the tenancy has ended will be disposed of, and we will charge the relevant costs if necessary. To avoid any unnecessary additional costs, please ensure that the property is left clean, tidy, and clear of all possessions and rubbish.

If there are any disabled aids in the property, including a walking frame, bath aids, or a wheelchair, please arrange for them to be sent back to the provider. There’s usually a sticker with a contact telephone number and a reference on each item.

If any alterations to the property have been made without our permission, you’ll need to ensure that the property is put back to its original condition, otherwise we’ll have to charge to remove them.

If you'd like to download a guide on clearing your property, please tap the link below:

Guidance-upon-terminating-your-property-[docx]-42KB

Once the keys have been returned, we’ll conduct a full inspection and assess the property for any damage and repairs needed.

If any repairs are needed as a result of any wilful or accidental damage, or as a result of alterations for which the tenant did not have permission, we’ll need to charge for the cost of repairs.

We’ll also charge to remove any rubbish or unwanted belongings left behind.

A repair is chargeable when we’ve been called out to a repair that isn’t our responsibility to fix. In these cases, we’ll charge the appropriate amount to cover our costs.

We also charge for repairs if we have to fix property damage caused by a member of the household or a visitor, when we’re given false information to attend to a repair, or when a property is left in a different state as to when the tenant moved in.

Here are some examples of when repairs may be charged:

• Correcting unauthorised alterations to the property.
• Replacing glass broken by accident or neglect.
• Dealing with an infestation.
• Clearing rubbish from the property or garden.
• Reinstating any fireplaces or heating appliances that have been removed.
• Replacing lost keys.
• Repairing damage caused by forced entry when keys have been lost or access for gas servicing has been denied.
• If a repair is reported which is false or exaggerated. For example, claiming a repair is an emergency when it isn’t.
• If access to the property is not granted at the appointment time and we have to reschedule the visit.
• If there's an electrical fault caused by a fuse blowing or a problem with one of the appliances owned by the tenant.

You could try Emmaus, a registered charity that receives and re-sells quality used goods.

Here are some examples of items they'll collect:

• Tables and chairs
• Beds and bedroom furniture
• Sofas and suites
• Bric-a-brac
• Electrical goods, such as fridges and washing machines
• Adult clothing
• Children's clothing, toys, and furniture
• Cycles and children's bikes

Please note: upholstered goods need a current BS fire label. Unfortunately, gas cookers cannot be collected by Emmaus.

For more information about Emmaus and how to donate or recycle goods, please visit:  www.boltonathome.org.uk/donating-or-recycling-furniture.

Bolton Council also provide a paid bulky items collection service. For more information on this service, please visit:  www.bolton.gov.uk/rubbish-recycling/bulky-item-collections/2.

If the property isn’t in Bolton, please contact the local council or visit their website.

Yes. You'll need to notify your gas, electricity, and water providers that you have changed address, the date you leave, and supply a final meter reading where possible.

If you don't notify your utility providers, you may be liable to pay the usage until the next tenant moves in.

If you have gas/electric prepayment meters, please leave the prepayment card/key in the property when you leave.

You can ask Royal Mail to temporarily redirect mail to a new address:

You can apply to do this by visiting the Post Office website at: www.postoffice.co.uk/mail/redirection (you’ll need to open an account with them if you don’t already have one), or you can visit your local Post Office branch.

Please note that there is a charge for this service.

There is a lot to do when moving. We’ve put together this checklist to help summarise the key steps you need to take:

You can also download a PDF copy of this list below.

1. You have completed a termination form to end your tenancy and provided a minimum of four weeks' notice.

2. You have cleared all outstanding rent and debt on your account.

3. Put a reminder in your diary of when to hand your keys in.

4. Provided us with all up to date contact numbers, including your mobile, so we can remind you when to hand in your keys.

5. Arranged to fix any damage to the property and are aware of the standards required.

6. Returned the property to its original state if you have made any unauthorised alterations.

7. Removed all furniture, laminate flooring, carpets, and personal belongings from the:

• Property
• Loft
• Garden
• Outhouse and/or garage

And have left only the items that belong to the local council (for example, if you rented a furnished tenancy).

8. The property is left in a good, clean condition and all rubbish has been removed from the property.

9. Contacted the Post Office to redirect your post.

10. Informed everyone, including us, of your new address.

11. Informed all utility suppliers you are moving and provided final readings to them where necessary.

12. Left all prepayment keys and cards in the property.

13. Advised Housing Benefit of any changes in circumstances.

14. Completed and returned to us a Housing Benefit Overlap form if there was an overlap in tenancies.

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If you’d like to download and/or print PDF a copy of our checklist, use the link below:

Quick-check-list-for-ending-a-tenancy-[pdf]-89KB