Agreed to renew over the phone, now having second thougts

luckyme79_2

Hi,
So I rent a property. Landlord is putting the rent up for the next year and I (after having a few days to think about it) initially agreed. Now I'm having second thoughts - I would not like to renew the contract. Can I call him to say I changed my mind or did I entered legally binding contract already?

Thanks
L

BitterAndTwisted

Tell your landlord you are having second thoughts and why. If he's intent on receiving that rent-increase you give notice. He only has to suffer a very short void between tenancies to see the benefit of that increase gone, gone, gone.

luckyme79_2

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

Tell your landlord you are having second thoughts and why. If he's intent on receiving that rent-increase you give notice. He only has to suffer a very short void between tenancies to see the benefit of that increase gone, gone, gone.

That's not a matter of rent really. My circumstances changed so I don't need flat in this (expensive) location any more. I agreed to renew the contract, because I thought I won't be able to find anything before Christmas.

G_M

Just to be clear:

* you are currently in the fixed term of a tenancy?
* It is due to end....when?
* the LL offered a new fixed term? Of how what length? At a higher rent?
* you agreed on the phone?

On the face of it there was a verbal contract. However
a) verbal contracts are hard to prove and
b) if the conversation was followed by a new tenancy agreement being sent out for you to sign, and you did not sign/return it, the implication is that the telephone conversation was NOT a contract, just an informal discussion, and the TA was intended to form the contract.

luckyme79_2

G_M wrote: »

Just to be clear:

* you are currently in the fixed term of a tenancy?
* It is due to end....when?
* the LL offered a new fixed term? Of how what length? At a higher rent?
* you agreed on the phone?

Currently in the fixed term ending 13th Jan 2014. LL offered new contract until 13th Jan 2015 at higher rent. I had a few days to think about it. Then, over the phone LL demanded answer. I agreed.
LL will come to the property to sign the contract, however no date has been set yet.

Thanks