When does an AST officially end?

cornishmum

Our contract runs from 24th July 2012 - 23rd Jan 2013. 6 month standard AST. The LA is insisting on coming round on the 23rd for a 2-hour exit inspection (we have the choice of being present or not - I would like to be there). I thought we'd have the house until midnight and they would come round the next day.

We're moving to our new place on the same day.... timings will be tight as we don't get the keys until 11am.

What's the official line?

Thanks

theartfullodger

You have it (unless tenancy says, say, to 11am...) until 23:59.

However if you insist on this remember you have no right to be in property for any subsequent inspection.

Either negotiate times or take lots (LOTS !!) of photos.

Gosh, an agent who doesn't understand the law: quelle surprise....

princeofpounds

I would let them come in and be there. Then you can address any tiny issues there and then, or take photos of specific things that are potentially to be disputed.

cornishmum

Yes valid point, theartfullodger. If I make a fuss, they could do the inspection the next day without me. I'd like to be there, armed and ready with all copies of photos and letters that have been sent in the last 6 months .

We'll have about a 4 hour window to move out all of our stuff. Should be fine really. The cleaning will have been done pretty much the day before.

Thanks.

theartfullodger

Your issue cornishmum is will they agree to refund the deposit (I think - yes??).

If so the question if was there an agreed check-in with full inventory & photos (& you agreed to it...) and are you happy there is no damage (fair-wear-'n-tear excepted... which they can't charge for).

If so & you have loads of photies & other evidence any adjudication by deposit protection guys should find in your favour (the deposit was protected wasn't it??)

Cheers

cornishmum

Yes, it's just about getting the deposit (protected in DPS) back.

I don't see any reason why not - no damage by us. But there have been damp issues (Environmental health have been round and said work needs to be done ASAP to resolve issues). Photos, letters etc all sent over the course of the tenancy and so I *think* the LA will be fine actually, but I'm just a bit nervous. Condition report signed/agreed when we moved in and states all the damp areas and damage already there (marks on wall, flakey paint and kitchen pretty grim). Yes, I wonder why we rented the place in the first place too but it was a hot, sunny day and the place looked much nicer than the reality on a wet, cold day. And a layer of paint makes the place look nice - doesn't resolve the damp issues though, does it!! And the receipt showing professional carpet cleaning must have been faked by the last tenants because seriously, how can a 'professional' leave that much dog hair in the carpet?! Anyway, I digress....

Yorkie1

As others have said, you are entitled to be there until the end of the day.

If the LA want to come round and do an inspection before then, that's fine, but you are still entitled to have to the end of the day to move as long as you return the keys in time - if those extra few hours would make a difference, this is worth negotiating for.