Landlord wont accept me settling contact

larue

Hi all

I moved into this property on 6th August.I have a standard six month contract. My job here has finshed early so i want to leave.I'm prepared to pay upfront the remaining rent [until 5/2/13] Also any cleaning or whatever else im liable for[i'm hardly in the house]
The property is managed by letting agents.Last week i couldnt get hold of the LA so i emailed the LL direct.
I thought this would be grabbed at by the LL.However i received an angry response from him saying that he is abroad and wether i pay or nor i am responsible for his property until the end of the contract as he is moving back in to his property in April and wont find another tenant to look after it over Xmas. I have not spoken to the LA since this email. At first i thought the LL had no right to stop me from ending the tenancy but nagging doubts are starting to form.
My questions are as follows

1)Can i pay of my contract early and not be liable for the house after i leave
2)Can they insist that i'm responsible even if i've paid till the end of the tenancy and left.[things like burgalries,damage to contents etc etc)
3)How much notice do i need to give? baring in mind i'm paying off the contract.

Regards larue

Christi

Sorry but I don't know but it looks like lots of people have read and run so I didn't want to.

You might be best posting this in the Buying, renting and selling forum - I'm sure people there can help you

pmlindyloo

I will try and help but I do recommend that you copy and post on the House renting and Selling forum - some very knowledgeable people there.

First of you realise that you have signed a contract and therefore are liable until the end of this contract.

Now the sticky point is what does liable mean.

First, I should imagine that you will be liable for the Council Tax. Next I think you will have to adhere to any insurance terms regarding not leaving the house empty for longer than...

So, what to do.

By my reckoning there is still time for the LL/LA to rent this property out for a fixed term of 6 months. If the LL is returning in April the LA can issue a Section 21 when a new tenant has been found, the deposit registered and correct information given. This way there should not be a long delay if the tenant refuses to leave at the end of the 6 months.

My suggestion would be to communicate with the LA.

Tell them that you know that you are liable for the rent until the end of this contract.

Hopefully they will suggest that they find a new tenant with your paying the readvertising fees/credit checks etc. Once they have found a new tenant then your liability for rent stops.

If they or the LL insists that they do not have to find a new tenant (which is true, unfortunately) then is there any way that you could spend the weekend there/pop in now and then? If it comes to it then be aware that it is coming up to winter so you will need to think about heating the property/frozen pipes etc

Obviously their finding a new tenant is the best option.

Don't worry until you have spoken to the LA.

arcon5

The LL may not like it, but I bet the Agency will, if you are paying for the rest of the term and allowing them to re-let it - as they will be getting commission on two lots of rent effectively.

You could send them a letter stating you are terminating the lease early and will pay them damages to the value of the rent + cleanup.

larue

Many thanks for your replies..I have moved this post to a different forum

Larue