Help needed over work studio rent request after I've left

VintageBelle

Hi

I don't know if anyone can help. I have been renting a small studio space for my small business. I shared the space with two people I know from years ago. My one friend is the lease holder, the other is the guarantor and my name was just on the lease to say I was in there too. I have been struggling with the cost of the rent so it was agreed that if someone was interested they could take over my part of the studio and I would leave. Someone was found at the beginning of July as they wanted a bigger space as previously they only had a desk space which they were renting for the almost the same as the studio space.

It was agreed I would be out by August 1st. Me and my family worked our butts off moving the stuff out. Stupidly we didn't sign any agreements and I didn't remove my name off the lease in time as I am too trusting of people. Last night I received a message to say the woman has changed her mind due to the fact that my one friend had also decided to leave and the only reason this woman wanted the space was so she could share with her. Her small business is non profit, it's more of a hobby/project but I have been told she has just received a huge grant/funding so she can continue it and needed a bigger space so volunteers can help her.

They now expect me to pay the August rent even though I am no longer there. She was supposed to take over the rent from August 1st. I simply don't have the money and have said I can only pay a little off weekly.

I am absolutely furious as I don't feel I should have to pay anything. I am also angry at my stupidity in believing that there are good thoughtful people out there and not doing things by the book.

Does anyone know where I stand? I am going to get my name removed from the lease at the end of this month but I am under the impression that's already in progress. It's not just me she has left in a tricky situation as my other friend who is staying in the studio is left short.

Thanks (sorry for the essay)

Aquamania

VintageBelle wrote: »

Hi

I don't know if anyone can help. I have been renting a small studio space for my small business. I shared the space with two people I know from years ago. My one friend is the lease holder, the other is the guarantor and my name was just on the lease to say I was in there too. I have been struggling with the cost of the rent so it was agreed that if someone was interested they could take over my part of the studio and I would leave. Someone was found at the beginning of July as they wanted a bigger space as previously they only had a desk space which they were renting for the almost the same as the studio space.

It was agreed I would be out by August 1st. Me and my family worked our butts off moving the stuff out. Stupidly we didn't sign any agreements and I didn't remove my name off the lease in time as I am too trusting of people. Last night I received a message to say the woman has changed her mind due to the fact that my one friend had also decided to leave and the only reason this woman wanted the space was so she could share with her. Her small business is non profit, it's more of a hobby/project but I have been told she has just received a huge grant/funding so she can continue it and needed a bigger space so volunteers can help her.

They now expect me to pay the August rent even though I am no longer there. She was supposed to take over the rent from August 1st. I simply don't have the money and have said I can only pay a little off weekly.

I am absolutely furious as I don't feel I should have to pay anything. I am also angry at my stupidity in believing that there are good thoughtful people out there and not doing things by the book.

Does anyone know where I stand? I am going to get my name removed from the lease at the end of this month but I am under the impression that's already in progress. It's not just me she has left in a tricky situation as my other friend who is staying in the studio is left short.

Thanks (sorry for the essay)

Could you post a copy of the lease please (with names, addresses and other personal details removed) please?

It sounds like you were a tenant and so jointly and severally liable with any other tenant (and guarantor if yous fail) to pay the rent agreed.

Until the lease ends (or you otherwise manage to get out of it legally) yous will continue to be liable. Are you permitted to sub-let the property?

Mistral001

Get legal advice from a solicitor.

VintageBelle

Unfortunately we only have one copy of the lease and it's not in my possession.

I have emailed the company and I have been advised that as long all 3 of us write to tell them that I am to be removed it can be done at the landlords discretion but the others will need to prove they can afford to run it, take someone new on in my place or pay a higher deposit. It has got more complicated though as one of the other tenants has left as well as the remaining tenant wants to go it alone. It's one very big mess.

Would CAB be able to help as I have virtually no money?

Cheers

lincroft1710

No offence to CAB, but you might not get the best or correct advice. And no-one can really give good advice unless they have sight of the lease.

Mistral001

VintageBelle wrote: »

Would CAB be able to help as I have virtually no money?

I agree with Lincroft and also I am not sure if the CAB will help businesses.


If you have no money then pretend that you have. People in business who have no money are usually not treated very well by other people in business.

VintageBelle

I think I'm just going to have to play this one out as it appears to be getting more complex and until they make a decision about what they want to do, then I'm very much piggy in the middle Thanks to all for replying.