Greedy Landlords-help

Wee_Willy_Harris

As detailed in various posts above, your landlord will have certain costs in replacing you as a tenant.... finders fee, check out/in process, possible void period etc etc etc so, on the face of it, his stance doesn't seem unreasonable.

However, you are only leaving a couple of months early so he would have all those costs to deal with anyway in a couple of months time and no way to recoup them from you (or anyone else).

The key will be negotiation. Might be worth meeting him half way, offering to pay the extra month with the LL able to conduct viewings etc.

If he won't negotiate, you could always go nuclear and refuse viewings until the end of the tenancy, refuse to co-operate with his plans to move in new tenants and generally behave like an @rse (much like the LL).

Have a chat with him. He may see the benefits of a compromise. If he doesn't, then don't compromise.

Rebecca01

prudryden wrote: »

I would stay if you can and then just leave at the end of the term with no notice which is totally legal. From a landlords point of view, I feel he is asking too much and it is unfair. I guess there was no break clause in your contract?

Thats what my partner wants to do but then I would feel guilty about the new tenants who were all excited to move in. They took it the day they were advertised.

I am glad you feel it is unfair, makes me feel slightly better.

No break clause, makes sense they seem all money money money.

The letting agent is looking into it, I think they agree its a bit much.

Rebecca01

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

As detailed in various posts above, your landlord will have certain costs in replacing you as a tenant.... finders fee, check out/in process, possible void period etc etc etc so, on the face of it, his stance doesn't seem unreasonable.

However, you are only leaving a couple of months early so he would have all those costs to deal with anyway in a couple of months time and no way to recoup them from you (or anyone else).

The key will be negotiation. Might be worth meeting him half way, offering to pay the extra month with the LL able to conduct viewings etc.

If he won't negotiate, you could always go nuclear and refuse viewings until the end of the tenancy, refuse to co-operate with his plans to move in new tenants and generally behave like an @rse (much like the LL).

Have a chat with him. He may see the benefits of a compromise. If he doesn't, then don't compromise.

Thanks but it was let the day it was advertised. We had two couples to show around, which we were nice to , so too late to be awkward with that.
I dont think they are the type of people to compromise. I will ask though.
I have learnt a lesson today. Sigh!

Ulfar

I would say the letting agent is now bricking themselves as they have rented a property that possibly may not be vacant for new tenants.

I hope the new tenancy contracts aren't all signed by tenant and land lord, if you don't move the new tenants costs are the land lords responsibility.

The landlord should have charged you the costs for finding the new tenant, £1000 seems a bit much for this. I would negotiate and if they aren't going to budge stay put and move at the end of the contract.

Wee_Willy_Harris

Rebecca01 wrote: »

Thanks but it was let the day it was advertised. We had two couples to show around, which we were nice to , so too late to be awkward with that.
I dont think they are the type of people to compromise. I will ask though.
I have learnt a lesson today. Sigh!

Then tell them, much nearer the start of the last month, that you intend to remain for as long as you are being asked to pay for the property. The chance of losing the tenant they have lined up, along with the deposit they have no doubt taken from them, may be enough to concentrate their minds. At worst, it will cost you nothing.

Rebecca01

Wee_Willy_Harris wrote: »

Then tell them, much nearer the start of the last month, that you intend to remain for as long as you are being asked to pay for the property. The chance of losing the tenant they have lined up, along with the deposit they have no doubt taken from them, may be enough to concentrate their minds. At worst, it will cost you nothing.

Thanks.

I will try that.

may_fair

Rebecca01 wrote: »

Not that I would do it,but it seems the law would be better to abandon as the LL can only claim payment till they re rent it, according to Shelter.

If you 'abandon' the property, you are offering to surrender. As I said before, the LL is free to accept or refuse the offer.

He can accept formally, by signing a deed of surrender with you, or there can be a 'surrender by operation of law', which is when the LL, by his actions, accepts a surrender - actions such as re-letting the property.

But you cannot know in advance whether or not the LL will re-let the property unless you happen to know he has signed a contract with these new tenants. If he has signed a contract, then he's over a barrel, because he's bound by that contract and if you don't move out he'll be in breach of contract with the new tenants.

theartfullodger

Re:

Be careful. Shelter is not the law.

(correct but..)

&

Rebecca01 wrote: »

I wasnt going to use shelter, just having a look at some info on the net. Maybe not a good thing.

.........

Nope, Shelter's site has very high quality advice & they have a well-deserved, high reputation with Government (all shades ..) and many courts..

Despera

Rebecca01 wrote: »

Thats what my partner wants to do but then I would feel guilty about the new tenants who were all excited to move in. They took it the day they were advertised.

If that's the only thing that bothers you then how about asking the new tenants pay your "exit fee", i.e. 1000 pounds? Only joking of course but they wouldn't feel guilty about you having to pay this money to let them move in.

If it is at all possible for you to stay until the end of the fixed term I would inform your LL of that and explain the reason why (i.e. happy to move out earlier but cannot afford the double rent so have to stay). And my guess is that your LL might become more cooperative negotiating of your liability - because otherwise he will probably lose his next tenants and won't be sure of finding new ones to take the property over exactly after you've moved out.

And the cost of finding new tenants is nowhere near £1000 if he is not using an agency.

pinkshoes

If your LL wants you to pay your rent until mid-September, but already has new tenants moving in and paying rent from the day you move out in August, then I'd suggest letting him know nearer the time that you will be staying up until you have paid the rent.

(providing you haven't signed anything saying you accept the agreement).

It would be fair to pay any costs of finding a new tenant, but he shouldn't charge you any more rent if he's already got new tenants in. What's your reason for wanting to move out in August, and can this be delayed until October?