Before you leave …………………………
Things you need to know about or do before you move out of your
home
Giving Notice
1. It is a condition of your tenancy agreement that the property will be left in a
lettable condition (in other words that you will leave it ready for the next tenant
to move in).
2. If you decide to move home or vacate your home for any reason you must give
the council 28 days notice that you wish to terminate the tenancy.
3. We will accept keys early but you will be charged for the full four week period
when rent is due during the notice period, unless we are able to relet your home
within the notice period.
Inspecting your home
4. During your notice period we will undertake a preliminary inspection of your
home and advise you of anything that needs putting right before you leave.
5. Most people find this inspection very useful as it helps them to make sure that
they leave the property in a lettable condition and avoid being recharged for any
works the council have to undertake which would be their responsibility.
6. We will inspect the whole property and grounds. We will note which works must
be done before you move out to avoid being recharged. We will leave you with a
copy of the inspection to ensure you are fully aware of your responsibility and
our expectations.
7. We may agree to some carpets or other fittings and tenant alterations being left
when you vacate the property. This will be noted. Unless this is agreed and
noted on the preliminary inspection form everything must be removed from the
property.
8. We will compile a list of works that Corby Borough Council wish to carry out. We
may place these on order and they may well be undertaken during your notice
period.
Tenant Alterations Additions & Improvements
9. If you have altered the property at any time during your tenancy and have had
written permission to do so and the inspector does not consider their condition,
health & safety issues or suitability gives any cause for concern you will not
normally have to reinstate the original conditions.
Neighbourhood Pride Deene House New Post Office Square CORBY Northants NN17 1GD
Phone: (01536) 464000
Fax (01536) 464645
DX: Corby 12915
E-mail: Housing.Services@corby.gov.uk
Website: www.corby.gov.uk
10. If you have altered the property without the written permission of the council the
inspector will normally require reinstatement. In some cases he may consider it
appropriate to give you retrospective permission for the alteration.
Before you leave
11. The amount of work you have to do (or get done) will depend on the condition
you have kept the property in. However the checklist below gives an idea of the
areas you should target.
12. Outside
 Your gardens must be left in a tidy condition: grass cut & overgrown shrubs cut
back.
 All gardens must be cleared of any rubbish or debris including black bags,
boxes, scrap cars, brick rubble and old toys.
 Any compost heaps wooden or plastic compost containers, etc must be
removed.
 Sheds & outbuildings owned by Corby Borough Council must be emptied and
left clean and tidy. All padlocks & keys should be handed in on vacation.
 Sheds, greenhouses or other outbuildings not belonging to Corby Borough
Council must be emptied dismantled and removed unless you receive written
permission for them to stay, prior to vacation.
 Fences and Gates should be left in good condition and any damage repaired
before you leave.
 Animal & Pet Faeces must be cleared, you will be re-charged if we have to do
this after you have left.
 Ponds must be emptied, filled in and the area made good
 Water features must be removed and the area made good.
 Any external wiring fitted by tenants such as pond pumps or security lighting
must be removed by a qualified electrician and made safe.
 Satellite dishes and associated cables must be removed and damage to
brickwork made good unless you receive written permission for them to stay
prior to vacation.
Neighbourhood Pride Deene House New Post Office Square CORBY Northants NN17 1GD
Phone: (01536) 464000
Fax (01536) 464645
DX: Corby 12915
E-mail: Housing.Services@corby.gov.uk
Website: www.corby.gov.uk
13. Inside
 All furniture, effects and rubbish must be removed.
 Carpets, laminate flooring & vinyl must be removed unless you receive written
permission for them to stay prior to vacation.
 Ceiling coverings including polystyrene tiles, fake beams and false ceilings must
be removed and the area made good unless you receive written permission for
them to stay prior to vacation.
 You should make sure fitted cupboards, wardrobes and kitchen units are
emptied and clean.
 If you have a fitted shower this must be removed and made safe by a qualified
electrician and plumber, and the wall where it was fitted made good unless you
receive written permission for it to stay prior to vacation (this does not apply to
council fitted showers or showers fitted as part of a disabled adaptation to the
property).
 You should ensure that other electrical fittings that you have put in are removed
by a qualified electrician and replaced with the original fittings, for example, light
fittings, switches or fancy replacement facing plates unless you receive written
permission for them to stay prior to vacation.
 The loft must be checked and left emptied of all of your contents.
 Internal doors and door furniture should be checked for damage as should
banisters and kitchen units. Unauthorised Alterations and/or Damage caused by
your family or pets and will not be deemed as fair wear and tear and will be
recharged to you unless you put it right before you leave.
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Decoration: We accept that everyone had different tastes but you should make
sure wallpaper is not ripped or drawn upon and painted walls are left clean and
unmarked. Painted woodwork should be washed down to remove any dust or
grime.
Cleaning: the whole property should be cleaned to an acceptable hygienic
standard. Remember your old home is going to become someone’s new home
and you wouldn’t want to move into a property that wasn't clean, would you?
Operating Instructions: Please leave any operating instructions for equipment
such as boiler, timer, fire or shower in one place. A drawer in the kitchen is an
ideal place.
Keys: You should arrange to collect any keys from neighbours, family members
and carers and return them to Corby Borough Council on expiry of your notice
period. Locks without keys will be replaced and the cost recharged to you.
14. Large Items Of Furniture
 If you are thinking of leaving large items of furniture or white goods you will be
recharged for their disposal. You may wish to consider arranging for their
collection prior to your move by calling the Street Scene Dept at Corby Borough
Council or taking them to the civic amenity tip. If you have any unwanted
furniture the Furniture Turnaround Project may be able to recycle it.
Neighbourhood Pride Deene House New Post Office Square CORBY Northants NN17 1GD
Phone: (01536) 464000
Fax (01536) 464645
DX: Corby 12915
E-mail: Housing.Services@corby.gov.uk
Website: www.corby.gov.uk
15. Other Things to Remember
There are many people, businesses and agencies you should inform that you are
moving and you should advise them of;
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your current address
date you are moving
the address you are moving to
They include:
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the council tax dept
the housing benefit dept ( if you are in receipt of benefit)
the DSS
your employer
your personal pension provider
any insurers such as life companies, car insurers, travel or personal accident or
critical illness
DVLA
Passport Agency
your Gas & Electricity Supplier( they will require your final meter readings)
Your water supplier
The telephone company you use
Your bank
The Royal Mail to arrange for your mail to be redirected (there is a charge for this
service)
Your doctor, dentist, hospital consultant
Any personal finance companies including debit card, store card and credit card
companies, loan companies, and catalogue companies
Your satellite or cable provider
Your friends and family
This is not an exhaustive list. It has been designed to prompt you to think of who
you need to inform when you are moving.
I hope you have been happy in your current home and wish you all the best in your
new one whether that be another council owned home, a home owned by another
service provider, your first owned home or retirement or residential care
accommodation.
Neighbourhood Pride Deene House New Post Office Square CORBY Northants NN17 1GD
Phone: (01536) 464000
Fax (01536) 464645
DX: Corby 12915
E-mail: Housing.Services@corby.gov.uk
Website: www.corby.gov.uk