Leaving tenancy agreement early - charges correct?

Stumpy88

I have recently decided to leave my tenancy early (due to end early next year) and have agreed with all the terms and conditions set by the agents including being responsible for the rent until a new tenant enters the property and any cleaning costs ect.

However I received a letter today stating everything I am responsible for and I think they're trying to charge me for something that isn't correct.

The letter states:

'You will accept responsibility for the charges already paid by the landlord of £36 plus vat per month for the period from the date of the surrender of tenancy until the date of the expiry of the agreed fixed term. We trust you will appreciate that we cannot look to the landlord to pay the full commission on this letting, since it is your wish and not the landlords to terminate the tenancy.'

Are they allowed to charge me this? It would seem the landlord would be paying this once a new tenant arrives in the house anyway, so it had me baffled.

Thank you in advance!

anselld

You will be responsible for the costs of finding a new tenant. So that would normally include the agents fee for the new tenant find.
They should either charge you a portion of your own finding fee (commission) or the full fee for the new tenant, but not both.

It would presumably be better for you to pay for the remaining portion of your own fee than the whole of the new tenant fee.

Stumpy88

I've been in the property for 2.5 years now so I can't imagine the landlords are still paying a finding fee.

I expected to be asked to pay a finding fee for the new tenants however the letter states nothing of this cost, it only mentions the remainder of the commission, which presumably the landlords will have to pay when the new tenant arrives anyway, so I can't see how the landlord is losing money.

Sorry if that makes little sense, I'm not sure on all the terms used within lettings and tenancy.

anselld

In that case it sounds like they are trying it on.

Mr_Pitiful

If you're asking for a surrender they can set any terms they like, as they don't have to allow one. If you don't accept it they can refuse to release you from your liabilities.