A "breakpoint" in a 12 month tenancy agreement?

gfplux

While viewing a flat to rent recently in London the Estate Agent when asked if they would agree to a ten month agreement replied they could make a 12 month agreement with a "breakpoint" at ten months that we could then give notice to leave if we did not want to run the full 12 months.
Is this just smoke and mirrors or do such things exist?
Thanks

silvercar

You can often agree to a breakpoint, relatively normal to have a breakpoint at 6 months on a 12 month contract. You should expect to have to give some sort of notice, I would think a requirement to say 2 months notice would be reasonable given that you are within the first fixed term.

Generali

This is completely normal IME. Most often you see a 12 month agreement with a 6 month break clause: you cannot leave or be chucked out in the first 6 months unless you or your Landlord break the terms of the contract.

After the break clause, either party can terminate: you by giving 1 month notice ending on a rent payment day and the Landlord by giving 2 months notice ending on a rent payment day.

You can leave on a non-rent payment day by mutual agreement.

It seems to me that you caught an Estate Agent telling the truth! That's a story to tell the Grandkids.

silvercar

After the break clause, either party can terminate: you by giving 1 month notice ending on a rent payment day and the Landlord by giving 2 months notice ending on a rent payment day.

Whereas these notice requirements are normal after the fixed term has ended, break clauses I have seen are one off opportunities, either you break at the breakpoint or you stay the term.

gfplux

thanks all, great information.