Tenancy

Mrsmoneypenny

My son, who is at uni, has signed a contract, no deposit given. The tenancy will start mid September 2009 until June 2010, there will be six people in total in the house all with there own contracts, they all know each other and went to view together. My son has now decided that he will be transferring to a new uni and if he is successful he would have signed up for a year and wont need the place.

I have properties that i rent out myself (well through an agent) so part of me thinks i should know the answer to this question. But to be honest, i think i bend over backwards with our tenants which suits them and me. They have been perfect tenants so I would now do quite a lot to keep them.

I havent seen the contract, but is there anything he/we can do to cancel the contract?
:beer: :j :beer:

Planner

I would notify the landlord first and see what they say. I cant envisage a problem as there is plenty of time for an alternative tenant to be found.

In terms of 'getting out of the contract', Im not sure. One of the central themes of contract law is known as consideration i.e. the 'buyer' gives something in return to the 'seller' for there promise to sell something (or in this case let a house). AS no money has changed hands, imho, there has been no consideration and so the contract isnt valid. Its not really my area though. I doubt that any court would consider it reasonable for the landlord to hold your son to the contracts terms, after notifiction so far in advance.

As a minimum, I suggest your son offers to pay any reasonable costs that the landlord may incurr to find a replacement.

dannymccann

If no alternative tenant can be found and he has signed for the tenancy at £250 p/m or whatever, he will be liable for it, or the guarantor will be.

edit - I would suggest if he certain, to get his !!!! in gear and get some flyers printed out, if it gets desperate maybe even subsidise someones rent by £25 a month or something anything to not pay for it twice (once at this uni, second at new uni)