Getting married, moving out, housemate wants to stay in current house... help!

lukehanney29

Hi, I am getting married in September and am looking to move into my new property in early August.
I am currently living in 3 bedroom house with just one other housemate (i.e. just two people at present). My housemate wishes to stay in the property when I move out and get two new tenants in, but I'm getting confused as to how this should work.

Initially it was a 6 month contract, but is has been rolling on a monthly basis since this initial period passed.

Particularly, I am not sure what should happen with the damage deposit, it would seem long winded for myself and my housemate to have the despoit refunded only for him to have to pay it again, but if the two new tenants pay me out for my deposit, then my remaining housemate has a higher deposit at stake.

Any help/advice that anyone can give me on this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Luke

Fang_3

You should end the current tenancy when you move out, and then your remaining housemate can start a new one with whomever he sees fit.

Jowo_2

I can't advise about the deposit. If the property is in England/Wales, it is protected in the tenancy deposit scheme?

However, if you have a joint tenancy with the landlord (a single contract that you both signed), then you should give written notice to the landlord. It's up to the remaining tenant and the landlord to negotiate a new contract. The Shelter website gives information how to end a periodic tenancy.

G_M

Give notice and end the tenancy otherwise a) the deposit is an issue but more importantly b) you will still have legal liabilities (for rent, bills etc).

The deposit will then be returned and you and housemate cane split as appropriate.

(S)He will need to start a new tenancy, with new housemate(s) and new deposit.

If you all talk it through with the LL /agent it can be done on the same day so housemate needn't actually move out and you could even come to an egreement about the LL just returning half the deposit direct to you and new tenants replacing it.

But formally ending the tenancy is important.