New Rental Agreement

Janto40

After nearly 7 years in a property my landlord has given me a rental agreement. My old one was with the original letting agent. The rental agreement states 6 months and a £75 fee each time for extending the lease and a new agreement. I'm really annoyed that I could end up paying £150 a year for 2 pieces of paper. Is this usual within the rental market now?

Pixie5740

If you're in England or Wales then yes letting agencies seem to charge for renewing a tenancy agreement even though it seems to be very little work on their part and they also charge the LL for doing the same thing. There's nothing to say that you need to keep signing a new 6 month fixed term though. After your current fixed term ends you could just go on to a periodic tenancy. No new agreement to sign so no fees to pay.

gordonbennet

Yes - at the end of the 6 months just tell them you wish to allow it to become "Periodic" (where you can give 1 month notice and the LL has to give 2 months). If there's an agency involved they're likely to resist as it's harder to pin the LL down for their commission, but it's all perfectly normal and legal (and they know it!) so stand your ground.

The only disadvantage is that you won't have security of tenure beyond 2 months, but in most cases, as long as you're paying the rent and the LLs circumstances don't change, they will be happy to let it keep rolling on.

G_M

Read


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?)

donfanatico

Janto40 wrote: »

After nearly 7 years in a property my landlord has given me a rental agreement. My old one was with the original letting agent. The rental agreement states 6 months and a £75 fee each time for extending the lease and a new agreement. I'm really annoyed that I could end up paying £150 a year for 2 pieces of paper. Is this usual within the rental market now?

it took him 7 years to produce a rental agreement?

HOw long to fix a boiler?

Just kidding. You can ignore this but if you do take 6 months (check the contract carefully) that the only thing you need to do - after 6 months it can go onto SPT. I think he will need to reprotect your deposit again. Was it protected so far?

Janto40

Oh the boiler !!!! Dont even go there ! The plumber is due again tonight.........third visit this year ! Lost count how many times last year.

thesaint

You say he has given you a rental agreement.
Have you agreed to the terms?

G_M

thesaint wrote: »

You say he has given you a rental agreement.
Have you agreed to the terms?

Good point. "Given", "offered" or "agreed"?

Frankly I see no point in agreeing to a 6 month agreement after 7 years. If you intend to stay (and are sure), and want security, then ask for and insist on 12 months or better still a 2 or 3 year agreement.

Otherwise stay as you are.

Janto40

I haven't signed or agreed to anything yet. Not sure about some of the points in it like sweeping the chimney before I leave. Thanks for the advice on the longer term agreement. That makes sense.

Pixie5740

A lot of things relating to cleaning the property when you move out that are put in leases are unenforceable. The LL would have to prove that the chimney had been swept prior to you move in.