Thinking of leaving your home? Our step-by-step guide sets out all of the information you will need below.
When you decide to leave your property
1. bpha needs you to provide a signed notice. You can contact us on 0330 100 0272, or via email, to request a paper notice. If you prefer to complete your notice electronically, you can do this by requesting an electronic notice via email to housingservices@bpha.org.uk.
2. Alternatively, if you have the means to do so, you can provide your own written signed notice and email a photo/copy of this notice directly to housingservices@bpha.org.uk. This would need to include your full name and full address, your expected end date, the reason for leaving, your forwarding address and your signature.
3. Your notice period will start from the date bpha receive the returned, signed notice. It is important that you check your tenancy agreement in order to check your notice period.
After you return your notice
4. Before the property becomes vacant, bpha must prepare to take ownership of your energy supply. We will notify your current supplier of the expected end date and your supply will be switched over after this date.
5. If you need to amend your notice period, bpha needs to be notified immediately by contacting us on 0330 100 0272, or emailing housingservices@bpha.org.uk.
Money
6. You are liable for your rent until the end of your notice period.
7. If you are paying by Direct Debit, Standing Order, or Recurring Payment, please ensure your payments are cancelled. This is to avoid continued payments to bpha after your tenancy has ended. You can cancel a direct debit or standing order directly with your bank, but you need to contact bpha on 0330 100 0272 to cancel a recurring payment.
8. If you are receiving benefits paid directly to bpha, please ensure your benefit provider is aware of the tenancy to avoid over-payment to us.
9. Once your tenancy ends and your account is closed, we will carry out works to the property, and debt checks. Once these checks are completed, any credit remaining in your account will be refunded to you.
Deposits
10. If you have an intermediate rent, or rent to homebuy tenancy, you will have paid a deposit, along with your first month’s rent. To request your deposit back, please contact the Deposit Protection Scheme on 0330 303 0030, or via their website at www.depositprotection.com
Keys
11. All keys and/or fobs, including the prepayment meter key if there is a pre-payment meter, must be returned clearly labelled, as their replacement will result in further charges.
12. Keys should be returned to bpha, Bedford Heights, Manton Lane, Bedford, MK41 7BJ, by the end of the notice period at the latest. If keys are delayed, you will be charged rent until they are received.
How to leave your property
13. Recharges
If the property is left in an unacceptable condition, where extra work is needed to bring it up to standard for a relet, you will be recharged the cost.
14. End of tenancy inspection
We recommend you ask for an end of tenancy inspection with one of our surveyors. Our surveyor will be able to provide advice on the standard of the property before moving out, so you can avoid recharges. To arrange this please contact us on 0330 100 0272.
15. Access to the property
Once you return the keys to us, you will not be allowed back in the property for any inspections, or to retrieve personal items. Please ensure you have cleared the property, removed all personal items, and completed your end of tenancy inspection, or any outstanding repairs, before returning the keys.
16. Post/Parcels
We encourage you to arrange mail redirection. If you are ordering any parcels, make sure they will have arrived well before you leave. We cannot guarantee you will be able to retrieve any mail/parcel delivered to the address after you have left.
17. Prepayment meters
If you have a prepayment meter, please ensure there is no debt left on it on the day you move out, and ensure you return the prepayment key with the property keys.
18. Cleaning
If the property is left in an exceptionally dirty condition, the cost of cleaning will be recharged.
19. Gardens
If you are responsible for maintaining a garden, you are expected to leave it tidy. Any modifications you may have made, such as decking, should be removed, and the ground reinstated to its original condition.
20. Personal Items
No items should be left in the property, unless they were present when your tenancy started. This includes light fittings and satellite dishes. Any items left will be treated as rubbish and disposed of. We will not be able to return these items to you, and you will be charged for their clearance.
21. Fixtures and Fittings
Where non-standard items have been installed, these should be removed and returned to a standard fitting. This includes mirrors, shelving, and security chains on doors.
22. Bulky item clearance
If you have bulky items you need to clear out, such as furniture or white goods, you can contact your local council to arrange removal for a small fee. If the items are in usable condition, charities such as the British Heart foundation or Sue Ryder may be able to collect them for free to resell.
23. Items you may be able to leave
If in good condition, flooring, carpets, curtain rails and sheds may be able to remain. Please note, in order to confirm you can leave any of the above, you MUST have an end of tenancy inspection, otherwise you could be charged for removal.
24. Damage
If you have removed or damaged any part of the fabric of the building, you will be charged the full cost of reinstatement.
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