Breaking housing contract.

Karl_UK_2

Morning,

Bit of a random question but I'm unsure who to turn to!

OK my question is -

I signed a contract last January to rent a room in a house share last January. The contract was to start in August 2010 and end in June 2011. Due to several reasons, such as an epic falling out with the people I was supposed to be living with, I only ended up staying there for less than a week in August and I haven't been back.

The contract is with a large letting agency and they asked for a guarantor when I signed the contract. The contract is also a house contract, meaning that they need to get the other tenant's permission to move in someone else. I've had a few people round to view it but as the place was in complete rag order every time I brought someone round they did one and I never heard from them again (Not that I blame them!)

The letting agency know I've moved out and have advertised the room for me.

So am I in my right to head down there and come out with a comment along the lines of... I don't live there, never have done, here's the keys and I'm cancelling my direct debit!

If I did what would the chances of - them being able to get the money of my guarantor?

- them trashing my credit rating?

Bit random I know but if anyone has any knowledge in this area any comments would be great as I'm hammering my finances to pay two lots of rent.

Cheers guys.

925dancer

You signed a contract, you are liable for the rent until it expires unless there is a break clause you can exercise. So unless a replacement tenant is found you remain liable, living there or not. Break the contract and stop paying the rent and the agent/landlord is well within their rights to involve the guarantor.

If they pursue it further then yes, it could affect your credit rating.

tbs624

If this is a joint and several contract that you signed then all/any of the Ts (& their guarantors) can each be pursued for any shortfall in the rent. You may perhaps need to explain this to your former housemates to encourage them to tidy the place up/assist you in finding a replacement T.

The LA/LA will pursue whoever they think they can get the funds out of, but be aware that your former house mates can take *you* to the small claims court to recover any money they have to pay out because of your failure to cough up. They may not realise that bit so play on the bit above to get a new T asap. Wrecked credit rating/poor refs for future tenancies is likely if you don't get it sorted asap.