Tenancy guide

Managing your tenancy

Changes of circumstances

We need to know about any changes in your household, such as people moving in or out or the birth of a child. To report a change email housing.residentservices@harrow.gov.uk

Name change

Your tenancy agreement remains a valid document even if you have officially changed your name following a marriage, divorce or through deed poll.  We do not issue a new tenancy agreement or alter the existing agreement.

We can change our records to show your new name.  You will need to provide your marriage certificate, decree absolute or deed poll document. You can email this to housing.residentservices@harrow.gov.uk

Apply for a transfer

Existing council tenants can register online for a transfer through the Locata scheme. 

There are strict rules regarding eligibility and the Locata system will advise you of this. 

Ending your tenancy

If you want to end your council tenancy, you should contact the Housing Department by emailing AlloVoid@harrow.gov.uk.

We will:

  • require four weeks’ written notice that you want to end your tenancy
  • charge you rent until the end of the notice period and the keys are returned
  • require the property to be returned clean and empty of people and belongings
  • serve a formal notice to end the tenancy if there is no one else who can do so

Moving to a nursing home or residential care

If a relative or friend has moved to a residential or nursing home, you should let the Housing Department know as soon as possible by email to AlloVoid@harrow.gov.uk

If the tenant is no longer able to deal with their affairs, we can accept four weeks’ written notice from a representative who has Power of Attorney. We will need to see proof of this.

We will:

  • charge the tenant rent until the end of the notice period and the keys are returned
  • require the property to be returned clean and empty of people and belongings
  • serve a formal notice to end the tenancy if there is no one else who can do so

What happens when a council tenant dies?

If a council tenant dies, the next of kin or executors should report the death to the Housing Department by email to AlloVoid@harrow.gov.uk

When a tenant dies, the tenancy does not automatically come to an end. The tenancy is brought to an end by the deceased tenant’s next of kin or executor completing a termination form and giving four weeks’ notice to legally end the tenancy.

We will send this form to you (or the person dealing with the deceased tenant’s affairs) and it should be signed and returned as soon as possible.  We will serve a formal notice to end the tenancy if there is no one else who can do so.