Notice Period for Moving out

casperman

I live in Oxford in a rented room which is in a house share for coming up a year now.

I have found and accepted a job back down in London so I called my landlord to serve him with my 1 months notice.

In my contract I can see it stated that it is minimum of 6 months then a month's roling notice period on the room. (I've been here 11 months so out of the 6 months tie-in)

I then receive the following email from them today

Congratulations on your new job!

This email is to acknowledge that you have given your months notice, but normally it should be given on the last day of a months rent period as per your tenancy agreement (i.e month to month), although I appreciate this isn't always practical. So your last day should be 12th May as your tenancy agreement is dated the 13th.

If you need a reference for a future landlord, please do not hesitate to ask us, as we would be more than happy to give one, as you have been an excellent tenant and always paid your rent way in advance,

The contract states that the rent for the month ahead is due on the 13th of each month (I normally pay around the 1st as I get paid on the 26th of each month)

So although I gave my notice on Wednesday 23rd March and I believe it should finish on Friday 22nd April. He is saying that I can not leave until 12th May which is an additional 3 weeks (ish)

I've looked through my contract and can't see any words to these effects but want to know if it is actually OK for them to do this?

I always thought it should be from when you notify them and they should then calculate a daily rate?

Any idea's? I just want to get my facts straight before I call them and challenge it.

Thanks

C.

tbs624

Once you are on a Stat Periodic your rental period runs from the day after your Fixed Term expired, which may or may not tie in with the rent due date ( although it does in your case).

So, if your original FT expired on the 12 of a month then the LA is right - your rental period will have been running from 13th of one month to the 12th of the next.

The fact that you choose to pay your rent early is irrelevant, as is the actual date on which you sent your Notice in.

In this case the LA is correct. (I don't think I have typed those words many times on here before;))

They may be able to negotiate with you if they can re-let the room.

mkaibear

casperman wrote: »

I
Any idea's? I just want to get my facts straight before I call them and challenge it.

To be honest, this chap sounds lovely. Congratulating you on getting a new job and offering you a reference - telling you you've been an excellent tenant...

Don't mess it up by arguing over the rent at this point. Certainly don't "call them and challenge it". To start with he's correct in what he's saying.

Instead, call them and negotiate, as tbs624 stated. Tell them you're willing to allow viewings over the next month or so, ask them if they get someone in by the 22nd April would they be willing to release you from your tenancy early. Be nice, you're likely to get a much better response than if you start digging your heels in and being difficult.

planning303

Yeah LL is right, as others have said he'll probably be up for doing a bit of a deal. Have a chat, not a winge and you might be suprised.

It's always worth trying to keep people on side as you might want to move back to the area some point in the future