In halls: Check your licence. Many end on a fixed date, so you only need to give notice if you want to leave early. Leaving early may need the accommodation provider's agreement, and you may stay liable for fees.

In private housing: Since 1 May 2026, most private tenancies in England are periodic, meaning they roll on with no fixed end date. As a tenant you'll generally need to give at least two months' written notice, and it must end on the last day of a rent period. If you're unsure, check with us before you send it.

Give your notice in writing, preferably via email.

If you share a tenancy, one tenant's notice can end the tenancy for everyone. Talk to your housemates first.

You can end the tenancy sooner if your landlord agrees in writing. Ask them to confirm it, or put forward a replacement tenant. Landlords and agents can only charge reasonable costs for a tenant change.

If your landlord gives you notice, don't ignore it. Landlords now need a legal reason, so speak to NTSU for advice.

Returning the keys on time to the landlord or agent is important. If you don’t, you may be charged for replacement keys and/or replacement locks, or even charged rent. Ideally, you should return the keys to the landlord or agent in person and get a written receipt.

If you are unable to return the keys in person, ask the landlord or agent how they should be returned - you may be able to return them using a secure delivery service. We would not recommend posting the keys though the door of your rented house.

Makes sure you know which of the three Tenancy Deposit Schemes is holding your deposit money - your landlord or agent was required to give you these details when you signed for the tenancy.

It’s your responsibility to make sure you leave the property in the same condition it was in when you moved in, except for reasonable ‘fair wear and tear’.

Ideally, when you moved into the property you took date-stamped photos, checked the inventory (if one was provided) and reported any concerns. It’s a good idea to take photos of the condition of the property when you move out, so you have your own evidence of the state of the property should any disputes arise.

After you’ve agreed with the landlord/agent the amount of deposit you will get back, it should be returned within 10 days, although it often takes longer than this.

The deposit schemes offer a free ‘alternative dispute resolution’ service if you can’t agree on the amount of deposit to be returned.

Find out more about deposit protection here.

Hopefully, you will have received an accurate inventory (check in report) when you moved in. You should review this before any check out inspection.

• Check that all items on the inventory are still there and in the same/similar state as when you first moved in (excepting fair wear and tear).
• Move furniture/items back into their original place.
• Take photos of your room and communal areas, after you’ve cleaned up. These would be a record of the condition that you’re leaving it in.
• Try and arrange to invite your landlord around the month before you move out, for a preliminary inspection. They can use this as an opportunity to point out anything that they’re unhappy with, so that you have a chance to put it right. Use the inventory as a checklist.
• Arrange for the landlord/agent to come and visit to go through the inventory with you, just before you move out.
• Take the inventory check seriously, as this is often the area where landlords find faults and may want to make deductions from your deposit.

Don't sign any check out report if you disagree with anything in it and raise any issues with the landlord/agent. Seek advice from NTSU Advice if you find yourself in this position.

You could see if it's possible to store your belongings in your new house, depending on when the tenancy starts. If your tenancy starts around the same time as your current one ends, you could move your belongings into the new property (once you’ve collected the keys). If your tenancy has started, you have a legal right to access the property, even if you pay a reduced rent over the summer. However, if you wanted to live at the property during the summer, the landlord may be entitled to charge more rent.

If you are storing belongings in your property over the summer when the property will be unoccupied, we suggest that you:

• Let the landlord or agent know that you will be storing your belongings at the property
• Make sure your belongings are properly packed and labelled and take photos. They should state your details, including a telephone number and the period of the tenancy. Make sure you also say that they are not to be removed!
• Check your contents insurance - will your belongings be insured if the property is not occupied for a period of time?
• Don't store any valuables in an unoccupied property
• Bear in mind that contractors etc may be coming in and out of the property, so consider how safe your items will be.

If your contract does not start until September and you are unable to take your belongings home, you may want to consider using a self-storage service in Nottingham. Some of them may offer special deals for students, so ask around.

Cleaning costs are one of the most common charges that landlords look to claim for at the end of the tenancy. If the property is dirty when you leave, professional cleaning charges can run to hundreds of pounds, particularly for large properties. Whilst the landlord or agent cannot require tenants to pay for a professional clean, you are responsible for returning the property in the condition you found it, except for fair wear and tear.

Make sure you thoroughly clean the property to avoid these unnecessary charges.

If you are in a shared property with a joint tenancy, you are all responsible for the condition of the whole of the property when you move out, including communal areas

Don’t forget to move furniture away from walls so you can clean behind it. Wipe down skirting boards and light fittings/switches. Replace light bulbs as necessary. If you’ve moved furniture around, always put it back in its original position.

Clean all windows internally and check your contract to find out who’s responsible for cleaning windows externally. If these aren’t accessible, check with your landlord.

If you are responsible for maintaining the garden, you should ensure that it is left in a tidy state at the end of the tenancy. Remove any rubbish and sweep outside.

If you have started packing your things and somehow your belongings have at least doubled since you moved into the house, and you can’t get it all home you might want think about the following:

• Don't leave anything behind unless agreed with your landlord or agent, as you can be charged for storage and removal costs
• Don't leave sorting and clearing out rubbish until moving out day, as it might not all fit in your wheelie bin - you can be fined for leaving rubbish on the street. If you have any bulky waste, contact your local council to see if they offer a collection service
• Donate any unopened food items to a local foodbank (donation points in most supermarkets)
• Look out for schemes where you can donate items to charities.

Bills Exclusive:

You’re responsible for bills from the date your tenancy starts until the tenancy/utility bundle contract ends. If you end your tenancy early but your bills-splitting contract remains in place, the terms and conditions will explain the cancellation charges which apply. On the day you leave your property, don’t forget to take meter readings. Contact utility suppliers to close your account and provide the final meter readings and a forwarding address so they can send your final bills. You should check if you are eligible for any refund on your TV licence or water account. It’s a good idea to take dated photos of the meter readings in case of any errors or disputes. If you forget to take meter readings, then the final bills may be estimated. This could mean you pay more for gas, electricity and water (where there is a water meter) than what was used.

Once your final bill has been paid, you can send copies to the landlord (as proof the bills have been paid in full). This can speed things up in terms of getting your deposit refunded and may be a requirement of your contract.

Contact Students’ Union Advice if your landlord withholds your deposit because you haven’t provided proof of bill payment.

If you've had bills included in your rent, you've probably been subject to a 'fair usage' policy. Hopefully, you haven't exceeded the ‘allowance’. If you can, take meter readings when you move out to avoid any dispute.

If you have a TV licence, you may be able to get a refund if you don't need your licence during the Summer holidays.

Can I redirect my post when I change my address? It may be worth using Royal Mail's mail redirection service to ensure you don't miss any important mail.

Is there any council tax liability when I leave a property? If you've completed your degree and are no longer registered as a student, it's likely you'll be liable to pay council tax. For final year undergraduates, the last day of the summer term is the official last day of your student status. This means that after the end of term, you'll usually be liable to pay council tax until the end of your tenancy agreement. If you are starting a postgraduate course in September, you will also usually be liable during the summer period until the course start date. At the end of your tenancy, you should make sure you check to see whether you're liable and how much you need to pay if you are. Some students may be eligible for council tax support during this period - check with your local Council. The local Councils do chase students for any Council Tax outstanding, so make sure you look out for letters from them.

Can I leave a review anywhere? Marks Out Of Tenancy is a platform where you can rate your landlord, letting agent, rental property and neighbourhood. You can help to improve the welfare of future tenants by passing down your renting story. It enables tenants to share reviews, encompassing their entire rental experience, from dealing with landlords and letting agents, to the quality of the area, and their experience of the properties themselves. This allows tenants to make more informed decisions about who they want to rent from, where they want to live, and what to expect from an area before they sign their tenancy agreement.