What's the typical period notice you need to give an agency to finish your tenancy?

mickael28

Hello guys,

I've always been living in shared accommodation and looking to rent my own place now.

I was thinking that you could rent your own place for a minimum period of let's say 6 months and then you could move out with 1 month notice?

My doubt is if that's usually the norm or not. Asking because I saw a current colleague stressing himself out trying to find a new place and he told me that his agent didn't work that way. Basically his contract is extended at 6m periods at a time, so if he wants to move out he can just do it at the end of those 6m contracts...

Taking into account that one of the big benefits of renting is flexibility, wondering if there are many agencies out there working like that?

outdoorcjc

The standard short term tenancy agreement is for 6 months at the end of which it becomes a periodic tenancy which can be terminated with 1 rental periods notice. Unless you sign another fixed term agreement.

mickael28

outdoorcjc wrote: »

The standard short term tenancy agreement is for 6 months at the end of which it becomes a periodic tenancy which can be terminated with 1 rental periods notice. Unless you sign another fixed term agreement.

Thanks, that was my understanding.

I think my colleague's agency then was not allowing the periodic tenancy at the end of the standard short term tenancy agreement, ie, they were offering him the possibility to either sign another fixed term agreement or end the tenancy. Is that not kind of illegal? at least, it's really inconvenient!!!

G_M

An AST can be for any length. One week, One month, 3months 3 years.....

But 6 months is common. At the end of the fixed term no notice is needed.

Read:

Ending/Renewing an AST (what happens when the Fixed Term ends?)(What is a Periodic Tenancy?)(How can a LL remove a tenant?)(How can a tenant end a tenancy?)

Werdnal

Its not illegal, just stops the agent getting the renewal fee as if you go onto an SPT, there is no renewal so agent cannot charge for anything.

Of course, some LLs prefer the security of tying tenants in for 6 months at a time, but many LLs are also ignorant that the SPT is an option, and go along with everything their agent tells them ...

If you want to rent, start as you mean to go on, telling the agnet/LL you want an initial fixed term, followed by an SPT. Agents like to screw every last penny out of tenants (and landlords for that matter), so if you go into the agreement letting them know you understand the rules, you are more likely to gain an SPT at the end of the term, than have the agent dictate their terms instead.

mickael28

I'll read that link to have a better understanding of the rules, and good idea about letting the agency/LL know that we want an SPT after the initial AST.

Many thanks guys!!

G_M

mickael28 wrote: »

...and good idea about letting the agency/LL know that we want an SPT after the initial AST.

Many thanks guys!!

The potential downside of this:

if the LL has delegated responsibility for selecting his tenant to the agent, and the agent has two potential tenants:

1) says they'd want to move to a SPT at the end of the 6 month fixed term

2) the other appears ignorant of the options, so is likely to be persuaded to sign, and pay for, a new fixed term after 6 months

which will the agent select......?

mickael28

G_M wrote: »

The potential downside of this:

if the LL has delegated responsibility for selecting his tenant to the agent, and the agent has two potential tenants:

1) says they'd want to move to a SPT at the end of the 6 month fixed term

2) the other appears ignorant of the options, so is likely to be persuaded to sign, and pay for, a new fixed term after 6 months

which will the agent select......?

Just read your 2 posts about this subject, really good explanation!

I thought you had to let them know or they could *force* you to sign another Fixed Term contract at the end of the original one, but after reading those posts, it seems that even if they really want you to sign a new FT contract, you don't have to do so. In the worst of the cases you will move to a SPT automatically and then they could ask you to leave in 2m (by serving you a S21 notice.

So, I agree with you and better not say anything as agents will favour whatever gives them more profit... not whatever is better for individuals/families.

So glad you saw my post and helped , much appreciated!!!

ValHaller

mickael28 wrote: »

In the worst of the cases you will move to a SPT automatically and then they could ask you to leave in 2m (by serving you a S21 notice.

At which point, if you suspect it is punishment for not having signed a new AST. you could have a chat with the LL, who might be oblivious to the fact that the Agent has created a void with the intention of gouging finding fees for finding a new tenant.

mickael28

ValHaller wrote: »

At which point, if you suspect it is punishment for not having signed a new AST. you could have a chat with the LL, who might be oblivious to the fact that the Agent has created a void with the intention of gouging finding fees for finding a new tenant.

Good point as well!! Best thing is to talk directly to people and see their views as most of misunderstandings appear when you have a middleman with conflicting interests advising both parties...

grifferz

mickael28 wrote: »

I think my colleague's agency then was not allowing the periodic tenancy at the end of the standard short term tenancy agreement, ie, they were offering him the possibility to either sign another fixed term agreement or end the tenancy. Is that not kind of illegal? at least, it's really inconvenient!!!

Letting agents often like to keep offering 6 month fixed terms because a new agreement means another round of fees. The landlord may or may not appreciate the security of knowing the property is filled for 6 months. The contract is with the landlord so ultimately it is the landlord's choice whether to allow the tenancy to become periodic. The letting agents are just mediating.

If the landlord is truly only interested in 6 month fixed terms then yes that is perfectly legal. Even then, many landlords would be unwilling to lose a good tenant over it and may relent. There is obviously risk in trying to call their bluff like that.

There is some inconvenience in only being able to move at 6 month intervals, but on the other hand knowing your move date 6 months in advance is a lot less inconvenient than being surprised by a 2 month notice when on a monthly periodic tenancy!