Ending a tenancy
You can request to end a tenancy if you want to leave a council-owned property.
Apply to end the tenancy
To end your tenancy, you need to complete a termination of council tenancy form.
Giving notice
The terms of your Tenancy Agreement state you must give at least four weeks written notice to end your tenancy.
All our tenancies have a rent commencement date beginning on a Monday. Any notice to end a tenancy will begin the Monday following receipt unless received on a Monday.
Ending a tenancy following death
If you are acting on behalf of a deceased tenant, make an enquiry to your Neighbourhood Housing Officer.
DO NOT complete a termination form.
What happens next
When we have received your on-line form, we will book an appointment with you so that a void inspector can check your property.
The property will be advertised on the Swindon Borough Council bidding website so we can start the process of looking for a new tenant. This is because the process of re-letting takes a number of weeks, and with thousands of people on the housing waiting list we have a duty to fill empty properties as quickly as possible which we hope you understand.
If anybody contacts you asking to view your property, having seen it advertised online, please do not show them around.
We will carry out viewings with any potential new tenants once you have returned the keys.
Your responsibility
- You must return the property with ‘vacant possession’. This means that nobody can be left living in the property after the termination date.
- The property, including the loft, must be left clean and clear of rubbish and all personal belongings, including white goods and furniture
- Carpets should be taken up and removed from the property
- Gardens should also be cleared of personal belongings and rubbish; the grass should be cut and any trees, bushes or hedges cut back to a reasonable standard
- Sheds and outbuildings should be cleared of all personal belongings
- Any medical aids, such as bath seats, should be returned to NHS supplies or Social Services
Any items that are left in the property, gardens, sheds or outbuildings, will be regarded as unwanted and may be disposed of.
Please note: You will be charged for the cost of disposal.
Any repairs that you are responsible for should be completed before the keys are returned and any alterations you’ve carried out, should be reinstated, unless otherwise agreed in writing by Swindon Borough Council.
If we need to carry out repairs because of damage or alterations to the property, you will be charged for the cost of these repairs.
Rent and benefits payments
You remain liable for the full rent for the property until the end of the 4 week notice period or upon receipt of keys whichever is the later of the two dates.
If you are in any doubt about the amount payable, contact your Neighbourhood Housing Officer directly.
If you are in receipt of Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit (UC), tell the Council’s benefits department or the Department of Work & Pensions (DWP) that you are moving.
Other things to consider
As well as benefits departments, you may need to inform a number of other companies and organisations that you are moving, including:
- Gas, electricity and water providers – please take your own final meter readings
- Council Tax
- Telephone, broadband, sky/cable TV providers
- Doctors, hospitals, dentists, opticians, schools
- Royal Mail – please arrange for mail to be redirected, if necessary
- Banks, building societies and credit card companies
Returning keys
Full instructions on how to return your keys will be given to you by the void inspector upon receipt of your termination form.
Please note: We will not be able to terminate your tenancy until we receive the keys.
Further information
If you need further guidance or support with ending your tenancy agreement, you can make an enquiry to your neighbourhood housing officer.