Ending your tenancy

How to end your tenancy

If you plan to move you need to give at least 4 weeks’ notice in writing to:

Michelle Powell at Symonds & Sampson

30 High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UP

01305 261 008

mpowell@symondsandsampson.co.uk

All tenancies end on a Sunday. The house keys must be returned by 12 noon on Monday to the Symonds & Sampson office in Dorchester.  Tenants in sheltered housing can make arrangements to give the Warden the keys. If the keys are not returned by this time you will be charged rent for the week.  If you do not give 4 weeks’ notice before you leave you will normally be expected to pay the rent for the full notice period.

 

Before you leave

Ensure the house is clean and in good decorative order.  The garden should be left neat and tidy.

You need to pay rent and service charges up to the end of your tenancy. You also need to pay outstanding council tax, water, gas, electricity and telephone charges.

The property you are leaving will be inspected before you go and you may be asked to carry out work to the property if it has been damaged or you have carried out alterations without permission.  If this remedial work is not completed you may be charged. 

 

Alterations

If you have removed any fixtures or fittings on your own initiative you must reinstate them. If you have made alterations to the property with the Society’s permission all conditions agreed to at the time should have been met. Ensure that gas fittings, such as cookers and fires are properly removed and the gas supply sealed off by a Gas Safe registered installer.

 

Death of a tenant

If a tenant dies, the next of kin should notify Michelle Powell at Symonds & Sampson in writing and enclose a copy of the death certificate.  We understand that this may be a difficult time for the family and Michelle can offer advice.  For relatives of sheltered housing tenants, the Warden will offer help and support.

It is possible the tenancy may pass to a joint tenant, surviving spouse or close family member. Contact Michelle for advice. If there is no succession to the tenancy the next of kin should give four weeks’ notice to the Society and ensure all the conditions relating to the termination of the tenancy are met including debt payment, removal of personal effects, reinstatement and cleaning of property and repair of any damage.

 

When you leave your home

Contact your gas and electricity companies to give them your meter reading. Keep a note of the reading for your own protection.

Notify Dorset Council and Wessex Water to end your liability for council tax and water rates.

You can arrange with the post office to have your mail redirected to your new address.  

If you have a telephone you will need to make arrangements to close your account. Don’t forget to leave a forwarding address with Michelle.

 

Removing your belongings

The house, including the loft and garden, including sheds, must be cleared of all belongings and rubbish.  Any belongings left will be disposed of.  If they are left in the property you can be charged with the cost of their removal.

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Get in touch

Managing Agent to the Society
Symonds & Sampson

Contact Michelle Powell for housing management, including rents, lettings, repairs and maintenance.

01305 261 008

mpowell@symondsandsampson.co.uk

30 High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UP

Secretary to the Society

Dianne Lawrence

Contact for general enquiries, Society management and organisation, committee matters, Mill Street history and complaints.

01305 261622

Fordington Hill House,
High Street Fordington,
Dorchester, DT1 1LZ

Warden to the Society

Emily Frame

The warden service is available for residents in sheltered housing: Weekdays 9am-5pm.

07584 087982

or fill in our contact form