Renewing Tenancy Agreement £70

littlemissmoney

Hi

My tenancy aggreement is up for renewal and I've been sent a letter asking for £70.50 from the letting agency. I have two questions regarding this:

1. Is this about average? All they do for this money is stick a standard contract in the post.

2. Is the amount negotiable? I don't want to look like a fool for offering less if it's a fixed price, but also do not want to pay someone £70 to post a letter either.

Any advice much appreciated

julesgr

Ours charge £50+ vat no chance of negotiation either

littlemissmoney

Thanks Julesgr, that was quick!

I also have something else I'd like to check...

Each year I sign a 12 month contract with a 6 month breakclause. I have to give 2 months notice, that can't be given until after 6 month. So I can only move out after 8 months.

This is fair enough the first year, but it is normal to have to re-sign the same contract every year? I can only move out 4 months out of every 12. Surely after the first 6 months I should just be able to give 2 months notice (and the same with LL) without repeating the 6 month period?

Is this normal? Or is this just a away on making me pay up £70 a year? Could I have a contract like the one discribed above?

thescouselander

As far as I am aware there is no need to renew any tenancy agreement unless there has been some sort of change. I have never paid to renew an agreement either, there is very little work involved and £70 definitly seems unreasonable.

Also, you normally only have to give 1 months notice to move out.

lemontart

I have recently rented a flat for work on 6 months tenacy and was told that even though I am already the tenant if i want another 6 months at end it will be £100 the same as original charge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! rip off...............looks like a fee is standard practice but how can they justify the fee being the same as when you originally applied for tennacy?

Beth
xxx

Mrs_pbradley936

I have some properties rented out via an agent and some tenants have been in there for more than two years. My places are all let on AST and all have the six month term (I think that is the law) but after that they can leave at any time by giving two months Notice. In addition every year the agent asks if we are happy with the rent or want to review it because then they write to the tenant saying something like “Your current tenancy is due to expire on such and such, after that date the rent for the property will by increased by XYZ a month. Please let us know if you will be terminating the tenancy or wish to continue at the new rent”.

I think you have “fixed term” for a definite period such as if the landlord is going abroad or working away and knows when they will be back. Or you can have a well I am not sure what it is called but basically you can stay there unless you or the landlord want to end the tenancy.

I think they are issuing you with a new tenancy every time and charging you for it rather that letting the existing one continue.

littlemissmoney

Thank you for all your replies. Does anyone know what it's called when you can stay unless your or your landlord want to end the tenancy? I am going to write and ask for that. Although I have a feeling they will prefer the way that makes them £70 :rolleyes:

Mrs_pbradley936

Well I just looked on the site of an association I belong to and what my tenants have and what you want is called a "Periodic Tenancy".

Mrs_pbradley936

Have a look at this:-

http://www.stayingput.co.uk/haskc/Private+Tenants/Fixed+term+and+periodic+tenancy/

If the link does not work just do a search on it.

Mrs_pbradley936

Just cut and pasted this:-

A periodic tenancy needs to be continually renewed e.g. every week or month. This can by done by paying rent and remaining in the property. A periodic tenancy can be ended by the service of appropriate notice on or by the landlord.

A fixed term tenancy is for a specified period of time. A fixed term tenancy cannot be broughgt to an end before the expiry of this period of time (unless there is a special 'break clause' in the agreement). If you leave early you will remain liable for unpaid rent.

earthmother

We pay £88.13 (inc. VAT) every 12 months to renew our tenancy contract - I think it's about £45 plus VAT for the 6 month contracts - this applies whether there are any changes to the contract or not.

It's annoying, but a small price to pay to know we have accommodation for the next 12 months.

A rolling (periodic) tenancy is ok in some respects (ie, that you can leave when you want to), but at the same time, it offers very little protection as the landlord can also give you notice whenever he wants.