What happens at the end of the tenancy?

There are two reasons a periodic tenancy might end.  One reason is because of breach of tenancy conditions; the other is because the property is required back for some reason, for example if the freeholder wants it back, or we need to change its use.

This section deals with the second reason: i.e. you are being required to handback the property through no fault of your own.  If you are affected in this way, and you can find your own accommodation, you can hand in your notice at any time, giving one month's notice.  Not everyone is able to do this, so we have to formally end the tenancy.

For us to end the tenancy we have to follow a set procedure. 

We must serve you with a Notice. 

We must then apply to the court to grant possession. 

We must then apply for a bailiff warrant. 

The full process time, takes approximately 6 months.  As most of our handbacks need to be completely empty by December of the year of handback, we tend to serve Notices in March.  This means by September, October we are ready to proceed with evictions, hopefully before the weather turns bad. 

The attached leaflet gives a lot more information and it will be sent out to tenants before the Notices are served. Please note this has been written for the tenants who are moving out this year, we will update at the beginning of each year, but you will be sent your own copy in the year relevant to you.  

End of Lease 2011

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I defintitely have to move out?

We have a planned programme of handbacks for our properties.  These are mostly by 2015.

The terms of our lease require us to handback the properties with vacant possession.  This means you do have to move out.

What are my options:

Depending on your circumstances, you can choose to:

Rent privately
Buy outright a property on the open market
Buy a share of a property designated for key workers
Rent a keyworker accommodation with the option to buy a share at a future date
Apply for Council assistance - this may involve temporary accommodation or B&B

We will offer help wherever we can. 

We recommend those tenants thinking of renting/buying keyworker accommodation check out the website firststepslondon.org

New for 2012

First Steps (see above for more information) are holding a presentation evening on 23 February 2012, for anyone interested in buying/part buying a property in the capital.

First steps presentation leaflet

We have also been advised that housing associaiton Affinity Sutton have a scheme called Rent4less.  These properties are advertised weekly on website findaproperty.com but go quickly.  For further information about Affinity Sutton's other schemes please visit their website affinitysutton.com

***RELEVANT NEWS***      

27 Janaury 2012 The Guardian:  95% mortgages are back

http://www.guardian.co.uk/money/2012/jan/27/first-time-buyers-mortage-back