Ending your tenancy or moving out of a Gentoo property

There are things you must do when you end your tenancy. Or when you move out of a Gentoo property to a different Gentoo property.

Ending your tenancy

If you are in a joint tenancy, either customer can end the tenancy. This will end the tenancy for both customers.

If you want to end your tenancy, you must tell us first.

To end your tenancy, you must give 4 weeks' notice before you plan to move out and leave your home. You can:

You can end a tenancy for someone else when they die.

Before you end your tenancy or move out of a Gentoo property

Get the property inspected by your Neighbourhood Co-ordinator

Your Neighbourhood Co-ordinator will let you know what you need to do to the property before you end your tenancy.

Pay your rent and any other charges

Make sure your accounts with us are up to date. This includes your:

  • rent
  • home contents insurance
  • any other charges

Clean and empty the property

You must:

  • leave the property clean, neat and tidy condition
  • remove all your furniture and belongings, including from your garden, garage, and any other outbuildings
  • clear all garden areas and cut back plants, including removing any greenhouses, sheds and decking you put in
  • repair or replace any broken fixtures and fittings you are responsible for

Find out more about the repairs you are responsible for.

If you need to remove a gas or electric cooking appliance, you must get a competent person to remove it. You must leave the property and its fixtures in a safe condition.

If you rent any furniture from Newcastle Furniture Service, you must contact them and arrange to return any furniture.

You can also:

You may be able to get help to maintain your garden.

Redirect your mail

Arrange for Royal Mail to send your post to your new address.

Register to vote

Register to vote at your new address.

Tell Sunderland City Council

You must update your address with Sunderland City Council if you:

  • pay Council Tax
  • get Housing Benefit
  • get Council Tax Support
  • have a Blue Car Badge

Update your address with Sunderland City Council.

Tell HM Revenue and Customs

You must update your address with HM Revenue and Customs if you:

  • get State Pension
  • pay Income Tax
  • pay National Insurance
  • get tax credits
  • get Child Benefit

Update your address with HM Revenue and Customs.

Tell the Department for Work and Pensions

If you get Universal Credit, sign into your Universal Credit account to update your address.

If you get any other benefits, find out who you have to contact to tell them you have a new address.

Tell your gas, electricity and water suppliers

They can read your meter or get final meter readings, so you only pay for what you have used.

Tell whoever provides your telephone and internet services

To end or move your services, contact whoever provides your landline, mobile and internet connection.

Update your TV licence

Update your address with TV Licensing or cancel your TV licence if you no longer need one.

Update your driving licence and vehicle registration

Update your address with the Drive and Vehicle Licensing Agency.

Other organisations you may need to tell

This includes your:

  • employer
  • doctor
  • bank
  • insurance companies to cancel or switch your home contents, life or car insurance

When you end your tenancy or move out of a Gentoo property

You must return your keys to us by midday the day after your tenancy ends.

If you do not return the keys to us on time, we may charge you an extra week’s rent. If you get Housing Benefit or Universal Credit, this will only pay for one property.

After you move out and leave your home

Because it costs us time and money to clean, empty and repair a property, we may charge you if the property:

  • is not clean, neat and tidy condition
  • has furniture and belongings you left behind
  • needs repair work, like dented or smashed internal doors, broken or painted kitchen units
  • needs repair work that you are responsible for

Find out more about the repairs you are responsible for.

If we charge you for cleaning, emptying or repairing a property, we will agree a repayment plan with you. If you do not pay, we will not allow you to reapply to join our housing register.