AST - Does this sound right?

littlesaint

I am thinking about moving out my shared house in the next two to three months. By then I'll be six months into a one year contract, which allows us two months notice at any time providing we move out together.

Had a chat with the letting agent about what would happen if I moved out and the others stayed. Apparently, they would have to sign a new AST for a year with any replacement tenant. The letting agent would also have to give permission for me to move out.

Now, this is totally different from the situation in my last place. In that place the letting agent just dealt with it and didn't need permission from the landlady. We also just signed a replacement tenancy agreement, which lasted the length of the original contract.

The main thing I'm worried about is the landlady's permission - this would not have been an issue in my last place because it was easy to contact the landlady, but in this place the land lady lives abroad and is very difficult to contact - some of you may remember that it took them well over a month last time to contact her for permission for our contract renewal in March. I hope this doesn't happen again...

Debt_Free_Chick

I think that YOU would want the remaining tenants to sign a new AST. I would guess that on the current AST you are all jointly and severally liable, so that YOU are responsible if any of them fail to pay their share (actually, all of you are responsible for any one who fails to pay their share).

If you move out and remain on the current AST, then months down the line YOU could be chased for any arrears or failure by the others to pay the rent.

So .... it's in YOUR interest for the remaining tenants to enter into a new AST with the LL. I would guess that "the LL's agreement" will be so that they can be reference checked and/or that she agrees to release you from the current AST.

littlesaint

OK, I see what you mean. Thanks.