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Required notice period on an assured shorthold periodic?

13

Comments

  • Notlob
    Notlob Posts: 335 Forumite
    Notlob wrote: »

    So, having groups of strangers traipsing through your home with just 24 hours notice, even if you aren't there, wouldn't effect the way you enjoy your own home?

    O joy of joys; you have seen the light. "Quiet enjoyment" is a misnomer.

    Notlob
    Notlob
  • Notlob wrote: »

    O joy of joys; you have seen the light. "Quiet enjoyment" is a misnomer.

    Notlob

    I'd say it was pretty clear cut. Any action by a third party which you regard as inconsistant to your quiet enjoyment of your home pretty much covers it. Simples.
  • Emanef
    Emanef Posts: 173 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    Fire_Fox wrote: »
    It should be noted that you do not have to allow viewings at any time during the tenancy, so it is irrelevant whether the agency have one or two months to market if you choose to be obstructive.

    That's useful to know, thanks for that.
    Fire_Fox wrote: »
    As others have said clauses in your AST do not override the legislation - one month notice to quit from the tenant coinciding with a rental period, right to quiet enjoyment etc.

    What is the actual legislation that prescribes one month notice to quit from the rental date? I can't seem to find it and just wondered where and how it's defined in law (I always like to see something for myself so I understand the wording, etc!)

    Thanks again.
  • DVardysShadow
    DVardysShadow Posts: 18,949 Forumite
    Notlob wrote: »
    Only by a court order!

    The issue here is the definition of "quiet enjoyment" and as stated earlier, I do not believe that a viewings clause fits in the category. If any of the posters who have disagreed with me on this point are solicitors, then put your hand up and I will bow.

    Notlob
    Oh this is immature nonsense on your part. It is the facts which decide this matter, not who says it.
    Hi, we’ve had to remove your signature. If you’re not sure why please read the forum rules or email the forum team if you’re still unsure - MSE ForumTeam
  • princeofpounds
    princeofpounds Posts: 10,396 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Often misunderstood "Peaceful Enjoyment". It is more to do with the right of occupancy rather than Temporary inconvenience. Simply arranging viewings is not a "Peaceful Enjoyment" issue.

    Notlob, you are totally and utterly incorrect, as has been pointed out by several knowledgeable posters here (and now me as well).

    The contractual agreement to allow access for viewings can be rescinded at any time by the tenant, as it cannot override the statutory right to quiet enjoyment, which has been established in civil law as pertaining to exactly this sort of situation

    And here is the same outlined by Tessa Shepperson, who is a well-known tenancy lawyer and author of several books on the subject (she talks about inspections part-way down, but viewings are the same).

    http://www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/2010/05/23/tenancy-agreements-31-days-of-tips-day-23-inspections/
  • Notlob
    Notlob Posts: 335 Forumite
    Notlob, you are totally and utterly incorrect, as has been pointed out by several knowledgeable posters here (and now me as well).

    The contractual agreement to allow access for viewings can be rescinded at any time by the tenant, as it cannot override the statutory right to quiet enjoyment, which has been established in civil law as pertaining to exactly this sort of situation

    And here is the same outlined by Tessa Shepperson, who is a well-known tenancy lawyer and author of several books on the subject (she talks about inspections part-way down, but viewings are the same).

    http://www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/2010/05/23/tenancy-agreements-31-days-of-tips-day-23-inspections/

    She makes reference to quiet enjoyment in the context of gaining access to the property WITHOUT permission. Ringing up a tenant requesting access to undertake a viewing who says no, citing "quiet enjoyment" as the reason is just incorrect, as one is asking permission. However, if permission is denied, but the TA has a clause stating otherwise, I have always accepted that the tenant can refuse access and there is nothing I can do, but I do believe the LL might have a claim on the deposit for potential loss of rent as a result of the tenant's actions. There is no "quiet enjoyment" issue here.

    Notlob
    Notlob
  • sequence
    sequence Posts: 1,877 Forumite
    Emanef I think the legislation is the housing act 1988 amended 1996.

    http://www.tenancyagreementservice.co.uk/section-21-notice-to-quit.htm

    But I'm no expert , hopefully some of the other more experienced posters can confirm, instead of bickering about quiet enjoyment ;)
  • Wee_Willy_Harris
    Wee_Willy_Harris Posts: 7,512 Forumite
    Notlob wrote: »
    She makes reference to quiet enjoyment in the context of gaining access to the property WITHOUT permission. Ringing up a tenant requesting access to undertake a viewing who says no, citing "quiet enjoyment" as the reason is just incorrect, as one is asking permission. However, if permission is denied, but the TA has a clause stating otherwise, I have always accepted that the tenant can refuse access and there is nothing I can do, but I do believe the LL might have a claim on the deposit for potential loss of rent as a result of the tenant's actions. There is no "quiet enjoyment" issue here.

    Notlob

    As long as the tenant behaves in a tenant like maner (pays rent, doesn't damage the property etc) there is no viable claim on the bond. The LLs void costs are, I'm afraid, not the responsibility of the previous tenant UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. The tenant has behaved in a maner consistent with their statutory rights and duties and any clause that reduces those rights cannot be enforced or compensated for.
  • N79
    N79 Posts: 2,615 Forumite
    edited 2 June 2010 at 2:39PM
    I'n not disputing with all the posters here about the rights of Ts. I just wanted to point out that the "right to quite enjoyment" is a Common Law right and not a Statutory right as I am behind on my daily pedantry quota.
  • Emanef
    Emanef Posts: 173 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    edited 2 June 2010 at 3:49PM
    I've just had a reply from the agents' legal person and they seem to have given a good explanation;
    [FONT=&quot]The problem of convincing anyone is that this is part of the common law of landlord and tenant, i.e. legal custom and precedent going back centuries; nothing to do with ASTs as such, and you will not find any one statute that sets it out. At common law, any periodic tenancy can be ended by a notice to quit from either party, which must expire at the end of a rent period and must give notice of not less than the duration of the rent period.[/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]This has been modified, but not abolished, by more recent specific legislation, for example the Protection from Eviction Act that requires a notice to quit from a landlord to a residential tenant to be of not less than four weeks' duration - even if the rent is payable weekly.[/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]The AST regime set up by the Housing Acts 1988 and 1996 did not alter the position set out above; technically the landlord of a monthly periodic AST can end the tenancy by giving[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]not less than one month's notice to quit, as can the tenant. But note that other legislation had already made it illegal for the landlord of a residential property to evict the tenant without a Court order, even after the expiry of a notice to quit; and physical eviction can only be carried out by Court bailiffs. What the Housing Acts did was to add an additional requirement that a landlord who wants possession of a residential property at the end of an AST cannot go to Court for a possession order, either because the fixed term has ended, or because a notice to quit has expired, without giving the tenant at least two months' notice if his intention to do so - the Section 21 notice. Hence this notice is not strictly a notice to quit, although in practice it has a similar effect; its proper name is a notice of seeking possession. [/FONT]

    [FONT=&quot]No such requirement was placed on the tenant. This may seem unfair, but that is politics.[/FONT]
    So according to that, common law requires both parties to give four weeks notice, but the Housing Act then put a legal duty on the landlord to give two months? Seems an anomoly that a requirement was only placed on one party.... but then I guess UK law is full of such anomolies!
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