Ending your tenancy

If you want to give notice to end your council tenancy, you must complete a Notice to Quit form.

You must give at least 4 full weeks' notice and choose an end date that falls on a Sunday.

Only a named tenant can give notice. If you have a joint tenancy, either tenant can end the tenancy. 

How to give notice

The quickest way to give notice is through Tenant Portal. If you don't have access to Tenant Portal, you can use our online form instead.

You will need:

• your name, address and contact details
• your proposed tenancy end date
• the reason why you are moving
• a forwarding address
• the names of your gas and electricity suppliers

Give notice to end your tenancy (Tenant Portal)

Give notice to end your tenancy (online form)

You can also speak to customer services or email landlordservices@oxford.gov.uk.

After you give notice

Once we receive your Notice to Quit form, we will contact you to confirm your tenancy end date. This will usually be on a Sunday.

We will also:

• tell you about any outstanding rent or other charges
• arrange an inspection of your home to check its condition and identify any repairs you need to make
• arrange viewings for prospective new tenants

Your responsibilities

Before your tenancy ends, you must:

• pay any outstanding rent and other charges
• remove all furniture, belongings and rubbish
• clean the property and garden
• arrange for any gas appliances to be disconnected by a Gas Safe registered engineer
• give us a forwarding address in case there are any outstanding matters relating to your tenancy
• return all keys

See the moving home checklist for a full list of tasks you must complete before you move out. Failure to complete these may result in charges for cleaning, clearance or repairs.

Returning your keys

You must securely lock your home and return all keys by midday on the Monday after your tenancy ends. This includes keys for doors, windows and shared entrances

If you return your keys late, you may be charged additional rent and the cost of changing the locks, if necessary.

If you do not meet your responsibilities

We may charge you for:

• repairs, damage or missing fittings that are your responsibility
• removing rubbish or other items left in the property
• rent if you continue to occupy the property after your tenancy ends

If you have any outstanding rent or other charges when your tenancy ends, we may take court action or use debt recovery procedures to recover the money owed.

Get independent advice

If you need confidential and independent advice about your tenancy, contact an Advice Centre.