Renting for a period less than six months

lushkat

Never having rented a property before, I am in a position where I need to be renting a flat for about 4-5 months. I have seen that the standard minimm let is around 6 months. Do landlords negotiate?

Thanks in advance

theartfullodger

Lushkat:

The problem is simple - see Citizens' Advice site at

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/family_parent/housing/private_sector_tenancies.htm#Right_to_stay_in_the_accommodation

which states
"
Tenancies created on or after 28 February 1997

Your landlord cannot evict you during the first six months of the tenancy, or during the initial fixed-term, whichever is the longer,

"

so whilst you may be entirely genuine in your intention to leave after 4-5 months the Landlord cannot legally be certain of getting the property back for 6 months...

So, if you do do a deal you'll need to convince some Landlord that you really-really-really-really are trustworthy.

(Unless, IIRC, it is a "Company Let" - but I think then a pre-existing company, e.g. your employer, would need to sign the lease & you'd get the accommodation as , for example, part of the terms of the job).

Daft I know. Blame the Government that passed the law (anyone know which flavour??)

Best wishes & good luck

Lodger

Mrs_pbradley936

6 months is usual but if it suits you to rent and pay for 4 or 5 then yes enquire. It is only a problem all round if you want somewhere longer term and the landlord wants you out before then. If it suits both of you there will not be a problem.

tbs624

Lushkat - an AST can be for as short a period as you and the LL agree it to be - as Artful says, the usual offering of 6 months min is simply because the LL cannot serve an order for repossession prior to the expiry of 6 months except if there is valid break clause or there are specific grounds. As the T, however, if you have signed up for only 2 or 3 months and you want to leave after only two or three months respectively, then you can simply do that as per your shorter than usual AST.