getting out of a student house contract?

tribalplanet333

i have a contract of a student house that i want to resign from due to personal reasons. i have paid a £150 safety deposit, my LL stated this was not a deposit and was just a guarantee that me and the other flat mates were taking the house.

We don't officially move in until the start of august, and the rent is due a month before. Now the first rent payment was due the start of july, but the others and myself haven't paid it yet.
Is it possible for me to get out of the contract? All i have signed is the tenancy agreement and i haven't been handed the keys yet. The contract seems a little weak in my opinion and i understand i have rights. The LL knows i am leaving as i sent him an email , which i also stated he would receive one in the post with my signature on. The LL texted me say he couldn't take my name of the agreement unilaterally, so i informed all my housemates i was leaving. Now i haven't done anything else, i am seeking legal advise. The other house mates are making me feel very uncomfortable and trying to guilt trip me. They are no respecting my personal problems which i am choosing the keep private.

I am aware that i may have to pay the first months rent, or even have to end up leaving there. I just want to know if it possible for me to leave? I have been nice to every house mate and the LL and something suddenly arisen which caused me to want to leave the contract.

I would like some advice if anyone has any.
Kindest Regards

marliepanda

At the moment you have to pay the full contracts rent, as you signed the contract.

I would advise helping your housemates to find a new tenant to take over your half, as at the moment you have to pay. That is what your legal advice will tell you.

If one of my housemates when I was in University flaked out on me, I'd probably be a little annoyed at them too, regardless of why it happened. Now they have to find the money to cover your rent if you choose not to pay (which you legally have to, at the moment until you find someone to take over your responsibilities)

tribalplanet333

marliepanda wrote: »

At the moment you have to pay the full contracts rent, as you signed the contract.

I would advise helping your housemates to find a new tenant to take over your half, as at the moment you have to pay. That is what your legal advice will tell you.

If one of my housemates when I was in University flaked out on me, I'd probably be a little annoyed at them too, regardless of why it happened. Now they have to find the money to cover your rent if you choose not to pay (which you legally have to, at the moment until you find someone to take over your responsibilities)

Thanks for the reply, they have found someone now. And i have just let the LL know this. Is there anything else i can do?

marliepanda

tribalplanet333 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply, they have found someone now. And i have just let the LL know this. Is there anything else i can do?

That was quick.

As long as your name is removed from the tenancy then you will be okay. As the first rent was already due you'll probably have to pay that, and the LL may choose to charge some 'admin' fee for reissuing a new tenancy etc

G_M

tribalplanet333 wrote: »

i have a contract of a student house that i want to resign from ......

All i have signed is the tenancy agreement

....The contract seems a little weak in my opinion and i understand i have rights.

You cannot 'resign' from a contract. It is legally binding. You can only 'surrender' it if the other side (landlord) agrees.

Not sure what you mean by 'weak'....

If a replacement tenant has been found, and the LL is happy with that replacement, you must ensure your name is removed from the tenancy agreement (or you could remain legally responsible for rent, damage etc):

1) the tenancy agreement can be surrendered (in total - for ALL tenants) and a new one drawn up with new names or

2) a Deed of Variation can be Executed (signed by ALL tenants on the original one AND the landlord AND the new tenant, replacing your name with the new name

Whatever happens, it must be in writing (avoid email, text etc.)