Notice on rental agreement

Sharpiejas

We had a nightmare with our house purchase that ended with the seller withdrawing the property nine weeks in. We are staying with family at the mo and have to move out very, very soon.

If we enter a rental agreement, would we have to stay the full year before we could move out? Could we move with a suitable notice period? Say two months? We really want to buy a property but have been forced into a rental position.

Yorkie1

Many tenancy agreements are for 6 months in the first place. By the time you've found and bought your new house, you're likely to be up towards the 6 months and you don't have to give notice to leave at the end of that period.

However, if you leave earlier then you will be liable for the rent and all charges until the end of the contract unless the LL agrees to let you surrender the tenancy early. But, to be honest, I'd be very surprised if the LL agreed to that, given he will have re-letting fees sooner than anticipated.

Sharpiejas

Thanks for the quick reply. Looks like a year renting then <~~~~ now very depressed.

Werdnal

Ask for a 6 month tenancy, (explain your reasons too) many landlords prefer this anyway, as if you turned out to be less than excellent tenants, they have a chance to evict you at the end of that time, rather than tying into a 12 month tenancy and being stuck with you for the full year before they can get you out.

After the 6 months is up, you can move to a Statutory Periodic Tenancy, which allows you to give 1 month's notice to leave, so you will them have the flexibity to move fairly quickly after you complete on a purchase. Chances are you will need more than the 6 months to find another property and finalise the purchase.

Why did you interpret the reply above to indicate 12 months, that is not what Yorkie said?

Sharpiejas

The letting agents I have spoken to have all said that no one does 6 months any more. We are viewing two property's tomorrow and we will probably take one of them. I will try and ask for six months and see if I can play them off one another. Can only try.

BazzaDP

6 months may not be common but 12 months, with a 6 month break clause is very common. This allows you to give notice after 6 months. It's basically a 6-12 month contract as it suits you. Can't remember if landlord can also give notice after 6 months but guess that really wouldn't concern you at the mo.

Werdnal

Sharpiejas wrote: »

The letting agents I have spoken to have all said that no one does 6 months any more. We are viewing two property's tomorrow and we will probably take one of them. I will try and ask for six months and see if I can play them off one another. Can only try.

Letting agents talk a lot of crap. Tell them from the start you are only interested in a 6 month tenancy, and if they are not prepared to work on those terms, walk away! I have been a LL since 2000. and always offer a 6 month initial tenancy. The agents want to tie you into 12 months, as they want to get the 12 months guaranteed fees!

I know you may be desperate to get somewhere, but play it cool and tell them there are plenty of other letting agents out there and try to call their bluff. Or look in the local classified ads and try to find a private LL who will be more realistic and flexible in their dealing with you. Letting agents are only interested in cash at the end of the day ...

Werdnal

BazzaDP wrote: »

6 months may not be common but 12 months, with a 6 month break clause is very common. This allows you to give notice after 6 months. It's basically a 6-12 month contract as it suits you. Can't remember if landlord can also give notice after 6 months but guess that really wouldn't concern you at the mo.

The break clause is an option, but it has to be worded so that the tenant can give notice (usually 1 month) to leave at the 6 month point or any time thereafter. Some agreements state you have to give notice and leave to co-incide with the 6 month point only! This will not work for the OP as they may still have some uncertainty over the timing of their house purchase by the time the 6 month point arrives.

caringa

Werdnal wrote: »

Letting agents talk a lot of crap. Tell them from the start you are only interested in a 6 month tenancy, and if they are not prepared to work on those terms, walk away! I have been a LL since 2000. and always offer a 6 month initial tenancy. The agents want to tie you into 12 months, as they want to get the 12 months guaranteed fees!

I know you may be desperate to get somewhere, but play it cool and tell them there are plenty of other letting agents out there and try to call their bluff. Or look in the local classified ads and try to find a private LL who will be more realistic and flexible in their dealing with you. Letting agents are only interested in cash at the end of the day ...

Totally agree! We are also landlords and would rather offer a 6 month initial tenancy.

Sharpiejas

Thanks for all the advice, I wil update you on our progress tomorrow

G_M

6 month contracts are very common.

After that, move toa SPT. Read here to understand:

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?)