How to end your tenancy


The quickest way to let us know that you want to end your tenancy is to do it online.


Before you start


You should only follow this process if you have one of the following tenancy types:

  • Assured shorthold periodic tenancy
  • Assured periodic tenancy
  • Assured fixed-term tenancy and the notice expires at the end of fixed-term or inside
  • Any starter or probationary period
  • Secure tenancy

The terms of your tenancy agreement must also allow you to terminate your tenancy.

You'll need to sign in to your L&Q account. This is a security step to help us verify your details and protect our residents.

If you don't have an account, please sign up.

More support and other options

If you need help with signing up for an account or the information you provide does not match our records, please get in touch with our team on webchat or by calling 0300 456 9996.

You can also fill in a paper version of the form and send it to us by post or email:


Things to consider

We require at least four weeks' written notice that you are ending your tenancy. Not all parties (landlords and tenants) need to agree to end your tenancy.

Your notice period will start on the first Sunday after we receive notification and will end on a Sunday.

You'll need to continue paying rent and any other charges until your tenancy ends.

You'll need to clear any rent arrears or sub-accounts before your tenancy ends.

You'll need to label all keys with the address and return them to our West Ham Lane or Cray House office by midday the day after your tenancy ends – if you do not, you'll be charged additional rent until the keys are returned.

All keys include:

  • front entrance keys or fobs
  • communal door keys or fobs
  • garage keys
  • car parking fobs
  • letterbox keys
  • bin store keys
  • meter keys
  • shed keys

If you live in North West London, East London or East Anglia, please return your keys to our West Ham Lane office: L&Q, Head Office, 29-35 West Ham Lane, London E15 4PH.

If you live in South London, South East London or Kent, please return your keys to our Cray House office: L&Q, Cray House, 3 Maidstone Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 5HU.

From September 2024, we're also trialling using key safes to return keys across all regions. However, there will be some instances where this is not possible. 

Don't worry though, once you've notified us that you're ending your tenancy, we'll send you a letter explaining how to return your keys and confirming your tenancy end date.

If you return your keys via registered post, please ensure that the parcel is tracked for next-day delivery and sent by midday the day after your tenancy ends. You'll also need to keep your tracking number and proof of postage (date and time) to prevent any additional rent costs.

Before you leave your home, you’ll need to contact your utility suppliers for gas, electricity, water and council tax and give them your latest meter readings as well as the date your tenancy ends.

If you're in receipt of Housing Benefit, you’ll need to inform them of your change of circumstances, and that your Housing Benefit needs to be paid up to the termination date.


Fixed-term tenancies

If you have a fixed-term tenancy and the notice expires within the fixed-term period or outside of any probationary or starter period, submitting this form will only be considered as an ‘Intention to Surrender’ notice. It will not end your tenancy as all parties must agree first.

We’ll be in touch with you to arrange the surrender of your tenancy.


Leaving your home in good condition

Please make sure you leave your home and garden in a clean and tidy condition so that others can move in safely.

If we need to repair things you've damaged, change things you've altered or remove old furniture and rubbish, you'll be charged the cost to put things right.

If you had permission to make improvements to your home, such as installing a new kitchen or bathroom, you may be entitled to claim compensation for this work. To find out if you qualify, please visit our compensation page.


Additional support

To find out more about terminating your tenancy sooner, please get in touch with your local office.