Ending an AST early

Kittykat85

Hi guys,

I am currently living in a rented house at £550 a month. My OH and I have split up and I want out!!! I rented alone before he moved in and last time we moved at short notice (LL wanted to live in house again) we basically had to take this place as couldn't afford referrences and deposits etc. we kept the lease in my name only to make it as easy as possible. Ex can't afford this place alone. I am currently on an AST until Feb. I don't want to stay here in a large 2-3 bedroom terrace house alone, heating rooms that don't need it. I've seen a flat I like and put down £200 towards a deposit. The new agents are saying that I need to be out of this lease first, current agents are saying that I have to stay here until the end of the lease or until they find new tennants. In the AST I can't see a break clause but I can't see anything saying I CAN'T end it early either.
HELP!!!

Gwhiz

Kittykat85 wrote: »

Hi guys,

I am currently living in a rented house at £550 a month. My OH and I have split up and I want out!!! I rented alone before he moved in and last time we moved at short notice (LL wanted to live in house again) we basically had to take this place as couldn't afford referrences and deposits etc. we kept the lease in my name only to make it as easy as possible. Ex can't afford this place alone. I am currently on an AST until Feb. I don't want to stay here in a large 2-3 bedroom terrace house alone, heating rooms that don't need it. I've seen a flat I like and put down £200 towards a deposit. The new agents are saying that I need to be out of this lease first, current agents are saying that I have to stay here until the end of the lease or until they find new tennants. In the AST I can't see a break clause but I can't see anything saying I CAN'T end it early either.
HELP!!!

What you can see however, is a date that states the AST is fixed term until February. That is what says you cannot end it early.

Kittykat85

I don't know what to do. I CAN'T afford this place alone really. I'd have £100pcm for food, social etc. Any suggestions about how to approach the letting agent? I just NEED out.

Gwhiz

Kittykat85 wrote: »

I don't know what to do. I CAN'T afford this place alone really. I'd have £100pcm for food, social etc. Any suggestions about how to approach the letting agent? I just NEED out.

All you can do is talk to them and explain the situation and try to get someone else to take up the flat asap. The agent and/or LL MAY take pity and let you out early but they are under no obligation to do so.

BitterAndTwisted

Kittykat85 wrote: »

Current agents are saying that I have to stay here until the end of the lease or until they find new tennants.

Then ask them to start looking for a new tenant asap.

Your landlord is under absolutely no obligation to release you from a legally-binding agreement, so it's all down to your skills of negotiation.

I suspect that until they find a new tenant you have lost your £200 with the new agents.

ic

You might be able to rent out a room or two?

Kittykat85

I possibly could but I've been racking my brains and people I know either hate animals, have kids or there own places. Not sure how I'd feel about renting to someone I don't know.

Mind_the_Gap

Kittykat85 wrote: »

I possibly could but I've been racking my brains and people I know either hate animals, have kids or there own places. Not sure how I'd feel about renting to someone I don't know.

I don't think you have much choice. Assuming you are female, you might be happier with a female student from your nearest college/Uni. Contact the Uni Accommodation Office to advertise the room.

Kittykat85

There are no Unis nearby and college is just used by local kids!

rightmove.co.uk/property-to-rent/property-14631282.html

Have had a look on here and other houses that are similar but cheaper are in rough areas. Finger's crossed we get a new tennant soon because I'm going mental here!

Couldn't post proper link apparently as I'm not a regular user.