Moving out early

NerveAgent

Hi all,

We have just completed on our first house and are currently moving in. Unfortunately we still have just over 2 months left on our tenancy and we are after advice on the best way to deal with this.

Obviously we have budgeted the fact that we are going to pay the next 2 months rent but how should we approach everything else?

• Should we even tell the letting agent?
• Can we just give it back and pay off the remaining rent?
• What are the rules on leaving it empty for 2 months if we dont?
• I work just round the corner so could "be there" the required minimum
• What about council tax, bills etc? Can I end any of them?
• When we enquired about leaving early they said we would have to pay re-let fees (with no guarantee it would be re-let)

lighting_up_the_chalice

Talk to the agent. Explain the circs regarding needing to leave the tenancy ASAP but offer them nothing. See what they come back with.

Worse case scenario? You pay the 2 months rent but surrender the tenancy immediately.

Best case? Anything is possible.

BitterAndTwisted

The sooner you tell the agent that you're giving up the tenancy the quicker they can find another tenant.

Negotiation might get you some of what you would like.

NerveAgent

I forgot to mention a key bit!! When we asked them what would happen if we left early a few months ago, they said they would charge us the re-let fees. A ridiculous amount from what I remember

Hence it might be more cost effective for us to "stay"...

marliepanda

NerveAgent wrote: »

I forgot to mention a key bit!! When we asked them what would happen if we left early a few months ago, they said they would charge us the re-let fees. A ridiculous amount from what I remember

Hence it might be more cost effective for us to "stay"...

As you are so close it may be. But yes if you wanted to move out earlier, then re let fees to get someone new in to pay the rent you would have been paying may have been more cost effective overall.

But as I am finding out in my move, often staying on the contract is cheaper than paying it off :P

Yorkie1

You may find that there are insurance difficulties if the property is left unoccupied for more than xx days at a time.

G_M

Yorkie1 wrote: »

You may find that there are insurance difficulties if the property is left unoccupied for more than xx days at a time.

Read your tenancy agreement - does it have a clause about maximum period 'unoccupied'? If so, this will reflect the landlord's insurance policy stipulations.

Talk to the LL if possible, if not, the agent. You may be able to negotiate an Early Surrender.

Or just bite the bullet, stay overnight once or twice during the 2 months remaining and pay the rent and bills.

More here.