Quick question on renting...

desthemoaner

My wife and I are about to put our house up for sale. To circumvent the problems created by a chain (it'll be our third purchase and we know all too well what a fraught time it can be), we've decided to move into rented accommodation once we sell the house so that we can then look for the property we want, without the pressure of managing sale and purchase at the same time.

My question is this: what's the shortest rental period we might be able to arrange? Three months would be ideal to be followed by a rolling monthly contract, but I've no idea whether such a thing exists.

Thanks.

theartfullodger

1 day: No, some places rent by the hour...

The problem you will meet stems from Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988: That says it is hard (very hard..)for a landlord to start evicting a tenant before 6 months from the start of a tenancy: Regardless of if it says (say ..) 1 month or 3 months... So when you talk to letting agents they'll "tell" you ASTs must be at least 6 months (untrue..)

Either find a landlord/agent who will be flexible OR get a "holiday let" property which might be more suited or book into (say..) a travelodge or B&B..

Who's fault?? Well, who was in power in 1988....

Cheers!

HAMISH_MCTAVISH

desthemoaner wrote: »

My wife and I are about to put our house up for sale. To circumvent the problems created by a chain (it'll be our third purchase and we know all too well what a fraught time it can be), we've decided to move into rented accommodation once we sell the house so that we can then look for the property we want, without the pressure of managing sale and purchase at the same time.

My question is this: what's the shortest rental period we might be able to arrange? Three months would be ideal to be followed by a rolling monthly contract, but I've no idea whether such a thing exists.

Thanks.

In theory there's no reason why a landlord and tenant can't agree anything they want to.

In practice it's very unlikely to be achievable for less than 6 months with most landlords.

desthemoaner

Thank you. Our estate agent may also be able to give us some advice in his role as a lettings agent.

Sycorax

It is possible, my neighbour rents his apartment and has just agreed a 3 month let for a couple in exactly your situation. But as others say this is unusual.

I think the holiday let sounds a good idea if you're unable to find a 3 month deal.

tim123456789

Sycorax wrote: »

It is possible, my neighbour rents his apartment and has just agreed a 3 month let for a couple in exactly your situation. But as others say this is unusual.

I think the holiday let sounds a good idea if you're unable to find a 3 month deal.

going rate for a holiday rental is 4 times normal rental.

unless you only need somewhere for a few weeks taking a six month rental and not using half of it, is going to work out cheaper

desthemoaner

If you take a six month rental and only use half of it, surely you're still legally bound to pay for the unused three months?

I take the point about the holiday let, by the way. Around here, average rent for a three bedroom semi is about £550 pcm. I would image you could easily pay that for a week in a holiday let, high season.

tim123456789

desthemoaner wrote: »

If you take a six month rental and only use half of it, surely you're still legally bound to pay for the unused three months?

.

Of course

But it's still cheaper than paying 4 times the rate for the period that you do need.

(and it saves you from the risk of under-estimating the period required)

ognum

desthemoaner wrote: »

If you take a six month rental and only use half of it, surely you're still legally bound to pay for the unused three months?

I take the point about the holiday let, by the way. Around here, average rent for a three bedroom semi is about £550 pcm. I would image you could easily pay that for a week in a holiday let, high season.

Yes, you will be under contract to pay for the property, the council tax, the utility bills etc. If it is through the winter you will need to keep the property heated.

Some landlords will have a clues in their contracts regarding how long the tenant can be away from the property as it may nullify the landlords insurance.

You may be able to come to an agreement with the landlord that you will pay for the costs involved in remarketing and getting a new tenant, some landlords will agree some won't. If you are in an area where properties get multiple applications to rent you may not be an attractive tenant if you tell the whole truth!

grifferz

You can "live" in a Travelodge for about £600/month if you book a month in advance!

donfanatico

grifferz wrote: »

You can "live" in a Travelodge for about £600/month if you book a month in advance!

I just checked online and it says maximum period is 28 days. Nice though unless there is another way