rent a flat for a year but staying shorter?

Lucano

Hello,
I have been looking for a flat in London.
It is quite difficult. I was wondering whether it is better to rent a flat for long term (12 months) and then if should I need to move out I could look for a reliable tenant who would overtake the contract.
The question is:
would it work? Of course, I do not want to do anything illegal.
I just thinkg it should be not difficult to find a new tenant in London.
I wanted to ask those here who have more experience in such thing if they think it could work.

Werdnal

There is no obligation for the Landlord to accept you leaving or any new tenant you find to take over.

If you sign for 12 month's you pay for 12 months, unless your LL will accept your suggestion and legally they do not have to.

You could sign for 6 months instead, then extend it month-by-month until you are ready to leave.

G_M

Very few tenancy agreements permit sub-letting, sono,you could not find someone elseto sub-let to.

You could find someone and ask the landlord if he will agreeto an 'Early Surrender' of your tenancy and then grant a newonetothe person you find, but the LL must agree (and the person must be acceptable to the LL).

See

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?)

browneyedbazzi

Sub letting is usually not allowed - you'd probably be better asking for a break clause in the contract which allows you to give notice and end the tenancy early (usually after a minimum term of 6 months).

Lucano

Many thanks!
I have just spoken to somebody on the phone, who has lived here for long, and he explained to me that when I rent a flat with a 12 month contract I can ask to add into the contract the 6-months break close,so that I could move out after 6 months, should I need to.
What do you think about that?

Lucano

browneyedbazzi :-) you must have add your answer while I was asking about it. I have just seen your post.

Lucano

what is with DSS?
There are many who say NO DSS, which i personally find not fare, anway, as far as I know if I get Housing Benefit I do not have to tell the landlord, do I?
Many Housing Benefit Departments know that LL often do not like tenants with HS so they won't contact the landlord.
If so, it should be no problem or what dou you think?

browneyedbazzi

Lucano wrote: »

what is with DSS?
There are many who say NO DSS, which i personally find not fare, anway, as far as I know if I get Housing Benefit I do not have to tell the landlord, do I?
Many Housing Benefit Departments know that LL often do not like tenants with HS so they won't contact the landlord.
If so, it should be no problem or what dou you think?

Most landlords will expect you to submit to a credit check before they'll accept you as a tenant - if you don't have employment income that makes the property affordable for you they are likely to reject your application. (if you are eligible for housing benefit then you won't have employment income sufficient to pay the rent)

You might think landlords choosing not to let to people on benefit is unfair, but it is a reality.

Lucano

But what if you say you have just moved to london?
many of them will require three months in advance- if you do not have any referencies.
So they would not know whether you are on HB

G_M

All responsible landlords will do a credit check. This will show, amongst other things, if you are a Bankrupt.

They will want proof you can pay the rent. Many (not all) will want an employment income. Some will be happy with other income(eg Housing Benefit).

If they say "No DSS" they mean no benefit claimants,so will want want proof of employment.

If you have no employment, some landlords will be happy with 3 (or more likely 6) months rent up front. Some will be happy ifyou have a 'guarantor'. Some will just say 'no'.

All you can do is be honest, and ask what the LL's criteria is, and what they will accept.

Werdnal

Lucano, do I detect that you are not from the UK?

You will need to apply to the LL to rent the property and then undergo credit checks and referencing. If you have not lived here for long, do not have good references from a UK landlord, or credit history that the LL can check easily (sometimes difficult to access credit records from another country), you may not pass these checks and LL can refuse to let to you. You may need to pay 6 month's rent in advance. You may be asked to provide a guarantor - someone with good (provable) income and UK assets (home, property etc) that can cover your tenancy incase the LL feels you do not have adequate income etc. If the LL suspects you cannot afford the property, you have no guarantor etc, he can refuse to let to you.

Have you checked whether you are able to get benefits to help cover the rent? Benefits have recently been cut back and if you are a single person, you may not gain enough benefit to cover rent on a whole flat (you may have to rent a room only and share the rest of the property).

Many LLs are wary of letting the benefits tenants, as the money is now paid direct to the tenant, rather than to the LL, and many benefits tenants have problems with money, so may not pass it on to the LL for their rent.