[Student] Moving out before the agreement over

samsong_1234 · 20 March 2009 at 1:04AM

Hi

Im a student sharing with 2 others in London, both of which will be leaving around the middle of may to go back home for the summer. I also wont to go back home to Ireland this summer. This means we have to pay rent whilst not living there until the end of the tennancy in august.

Is there anyway after you have signed the agreement to leave it early because your going home?

I mean it makes no sense to be paying for 3 months (over £1000) when no one will be here.

thanks

david29dpo · 20 March 2009 at 8:06AM

Sorry but you all should have thought of that before you signed. When does the agreement end?

Soot2006 · 20 March 2009 at 8:36AM

Unlikely that you can get out of it without paying. As far as your LL is concerned the bills need to be paid - you're not going "home". You're leaving your rented home and presumably going to your parents' home .... .

birduk · 20 March 2009 at 9:10AM

That's always the drama with student houses. You only really want them for term-time, but you have to rent them for the whole year. Why would a landlord want to accept rent only 8 months out of every year (bear in mind the next lot are probably students too).

Unfortunately you are stuck with the agreement you signed. Just keep your fingers crossed that you can get back into halls whereby you can pay for term-time only.

Geenie · 20 March 2009 at 9:19AM

My daughter has just signed an agreement for the next year, and unfortunately all the students around where she lives have to do the same. It is quite normal.

horrorhag · 20 March 2009 at 2:24PM

Not a thing you can do about it im afraid. Best thing to do now would be to make sure that when you do leave that is lovely and clean, all problems and maintance issues have been reported (keep written copies) and hopefully sorted so that you all get your bond back.

pingu2209 · 20 March 2009 at 2:32PM

Why did you sign for a year? When I was a student (okay this was 15 years ago) the University had a list of landlords that offered student accommodation and the deal was that whilst you lived there you paid full rent but for certain weeks in the year (summer, easter, christmas etc) you paid a reduced rent e.g. 50%

Don't universities do that any more

Martha66 · 20 March 2009 at 3:52PM

You do have a chance (no guarantee but worth a try) of getting out early.

Why don't you in the first instance just ask your landlord/lady if you could leave early? They may be more reasonable than you think, especially if you offer to find/help find a replacement (i.e. place an advert, etc).

Maybe things have changed since I was a student in London (there were lots of student lets for 9 month leases), but that was over 10 years ago.
London has alot of transient people looking for short/ish lets, especially over summer, including summer course foreign students, postgrads, etc. So the landlord/lady should have no problem finding replacements (unless the place is a complete dump, and even then, sadly with costly "budge", i.e. affordable to low incomes/students, it would probably get occupied!).

If your landlord/lady refuses to allow to break the lease, you could still risk leaving early. You'd have to be brave and risk things going to court: The landlord/lady does have a responsibility in law to show they have made reasonable efforts to find a replacement tenant. And it shouldn't take 3 months.
But do speak to a legal adviser (Shelter's helpline would be a good start) before risking this.
To start with, your university must have a student housing/advice centre. Do go there.

Martha66 · 20 March 2009 at 3:54PM

So the landlord/lady should have no problem finding replacements (unless the place is a complete dump, and even then, sadly with costly "budge", i.e. affordable to low incomes/students, it would probably get occupied!).

Oh dear, my first post and a typo! I meant of course, "Budget"!
:rolleyes:

samsong_1234 · 20 March 2009 at 5:55PM

Thanks Martha

Your positivity helped me to seek out some advice, despite all the "cant be done" posts it turns out there are two legal documents i can use to get out of an agreement early.

I can Surrender Tennancy, as long as the landlord agrees (so basiclly what you said martha by just asking them).

The second is called a deed of assignment which will also work aslong as i find a replacement to take my place in the house (again roughly what you had said martha).

Martha66 · 20 March 2009 at 8:37PM

Hi Samsong.

I'm really pleased if I've been able to help you.
Do make sure you ask your landlord as pleasantly as possible (you need to keep them onside) - as unless you have a break clause in your contract (this specifically states you are allowed to leave early - after usually 6 months with one month's notice), your landlord must agree to you finding someone else. Emphasise your willingness to find someone else (suitable) and perhaps add that you expect this should be fairly easy due to the extra demand for (often short-term) housing in London over the Summer.
Do this in writing to keep it official, although if you're on friendly terms and regular contact, there's no harm in initial phone contact).

And also, perhaps you could check with your university. Do they run summer courses? Perhaps stick an advert on an internal university board or similar.

Wishing you luck and hope it works out for you.

[Student] Moving out before the agreement over

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