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If you want to move out of your rented accommodation, it's important that you go through the correct process. Whatever you do, don't just walk away!
Tell your landlord
If you want to move out of rented accommodation, you will have to let your landlord know in advance that you wish to end your tenancy. The amount of notice you will have to give will depend on the kind of tenancy you have and how long you have lived in the property.
You can leave your tenancy at any time if you have your landlord's written permission.
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Ending joint tenancies
If you have a joint tenancy agreement with one or more other people, the way you end your tenancy will depend on your landlord.
If one tenant wishes to leave at the end of the tenancy but the rest of you wish to stay on in the property, talk to your landlord. Your landlord may allow the remaining tenants to make up the extra rent between you or ask you to find another housemate.
If one joint tenant leaves the agreement early the other tenants may have to pay that person's share of the rent, depending on the wording of your tenancy agreement.
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Don't just walk away
Walking away from a tenancy without giving notice can cause all kinds of problems for you and will make it harder for you to rent a new property in the future.
If the landlord doesn't realise you've left, they will continue to charge you rent and you could well build up rent arrears. If you have rent arrears, your landlord is entitled to take small claims court action against you for the rent owed. Other landlords will be reluctant to take you on as a tenant if you have a history of rent arrears.
If you find yourself with nowhere to stay and want the Housing Executive to assist you, it will probably find you 'intentionally homeless' because you left your home when you didn't need to. This will make it much more difficult to get an offer of social housing.
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