Can the lease be ended earlier? (aka my questions thread)

marking_bad

This has probably be asked before, is there a sticky for frequently asked questions?

Anyway, if I sign a lease for 6 months for a rented property, can the landlord (or me for that reason) end that lease early? Mutually or not?

Wee_Willy_Harris

marking_bad wrote: »

This has probably be asked before, is there a sticky for frequently asked questions?

Anyway, if I sign a lease for 6 months for a rented property, can the landlord (or me for that reason) end that lease early? Mutually or not?

Mutually? Yes.
Otherwise? No for both parties.

Fire_Fox

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

Mutually? Yes.
Otherwise? No for both parties.

This is basically correct, there is a caveat that if the house becomes uninhabitable for any reason (e.g. burnt down, flooded out) one party or the other can potentially unilaterally terminate the tenancy, tho it would depend on the exact circumstances. If this is the case the tenancy would be said to be frustrated.

Also if you failed to pay rent, once you are in eight weeks of arrears (i.e. as soon as you miss the second rent payment) the landlord could serve a section 8 notice to quit and go to court to get you evicted. As you can see these are both fairly unlikely scenarios, but I hope it demonstrates that an AST is pretty water tight.

marking_bad

Furnished or unfurnished, do essential appliances have to be installed? Such as cooker, washing machine, boiler etc

Regarding a tv aerial... Does this have to be installed? It would be nice if I could just plug in my freeview when I move in.

DawnW

Nothing HAS to be installed - there is a great deal of variation, and choice. If you want a place with these things installed (not unusual) then look for one where this is stipulated. If you are not sure, ask what is included.

You need to see the place and talk to the LL or LA, to see what will be included. If they promise something in addition to what is actually on the inventory, then ask for it in writing.

Wee_Willy_Harris

With tenancies, you won't go far wrong with "What You See Is What You Get". Landlords and agents will promise the earth "Oh yes, they've been out to measure up and the new windows go in next month."... Believe nothing! If it ain't there when you sign, it probably won't be there when you leave!

Jowo_2

IF a landlord consents to an early surrender, it is often done on condition the tenant continues to pay the rent until a replacement tenant is found and picks up any other expenses associated with the early relet, such as the advertising costs.

Don't sign a tenancy agreement, a legally binding contract, unless you can commit to it as the landlord can seek payment for the rent for the remainder of the term.

marking_bad

So how much does it cost to go with a letting agent.

Does it cost to become a member with them?
To view rental properties?
To apply for a property?
Credit check each time or one time?
Admin fees each time or one time?

I will of course find all this out soon enough, but some could be different and it's good to do research beforehand, no?

clutton_2

there is an extremely good sticky thread at the top of this section of MSE - all about renting.. i suspect many of your questions will be answered there.. happy reading

marking_bad

Sorry, can't find the answers I'm looking for in that thread, anyone?

BitterAndTwisted

marking_bad wrote: »

So how much does it cost to go with a letting agent.

Does it cost to become a member with them? No, not to register with an agent.
To view rental properties? No
To apply for a property? No
Credit check each time or one time? Generally, one charge for a credit-check per agent.
Admin fees each time or one time? Generally admin fees are charged per lease-agreement. Agents often charge a holding deposit pending a lease agreement being drawn up.

I will of course find all this out soon enough, but some could be different and it's good to do research beforehand, no?

It's usually sensible to ask the letting agents what their fee scales are before you actually go ahead and register with them. It goes without saying that if you register with more than one agent you are looking at paying for more than one credit-check fee.