Negotiating early release from tenancy

RTC87

Hoping you can help me.

Our tenancy runs out NOVEMBER 30 and we won't be renewing. Our circumstances have changed as my partner is now pregnant. We want to find a nice house to rent rather than this 2nd floor apartment but first move in with my parents for a few months to save £3-4k.

Is it possible to negotiate our way out early, obviously the sooner we leave the more we can save. Any advice on how to approach this would be appreciated. I realise its not exactly in the landlords best interest to let us go early.

We have been good tenants though, lived here for 10 months, paid without issue an never contacted the landlord since moving in. Doubt that will make a difference though.

G_M

Depends entirely on your landlord, or his agents.

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?)

Some will be sympathetic and understanding. Some will refuse. Some will agree subject to conditions.

Common conditions include

* continuing the tenancy till a new tenant is found
* paying a fixed amount to cover the marketing and/or other related costs

Whatever is agreed, get it confirmed in writing.

Counting_Pennies_2

Check your contract. It sounds like it is a 12 month contract, but often there is a break clause after 6 months

RTC87

Counting_Pennies wrote: »

Check your contract. It sounds like it is a 12 month contract, but often there is a break clause after 6 months

Yes there is a break clause after 6 months but that has obviously past now, it was my understanding that it could only be used on the 6th month of the term.

G_M

RTC87 wrote: »

Yes there is a break clause after 6 months but that has obviously past now, it was my understanding that it could only be used on the 6th month of the term.

Maybe. Maybe not.

It depends on the exact wording of the clause.

What does it say?

RTC87

G_M wrote: »

Maybe. Maybe not.

It depends on the exact wording of the clause.

What does it say?

Here it is, reading it again maybe we will be able to leave the 1st of November, so a month early if we hand in notice now.

1.1 Break Clause

Notwithstanding the fixed term started in clause 1 of the Main Terms of the Tenancy the Parties hereby agree that this Agreement may be terminated by either party giving to the other at least two months notice in writing, such notice not to expire until after six months of the start date of the Term. At the end of such notice the Tenancy shall end and all obligations and responsibilites shall cease; subject nevertheless to any claim by either Party against the other in respect of any breach of any of the terms and conditions of the Agreement

Should the Tenancy be terminated on a date which is not the last day of a rental period then the Tenant's obligation to pay rent shall cease on the termination date and the rent payment will be apportioned accordingly.

G_M

So if you hand-delivered (served) notice tomorrow (31/8/14) giving two months notice, tenancy would end on 29/10/14.

RTC87

G_M wrote: »

So if you hand-delivered (served) notice tomorrow (31/8/14) giving two months notice, tenancy would end on 29/10/14.

Can I just post it through the landlords door or does it have to be hand delivered?

Also we had this property through Connells and it was meant to be a managed property. On the day we went to sign the lease we we were told the landlord will be managing it themselves, so by this i assume I don't need to inform Connells.

Now just need to figure how to get my deposit back

G_M

As with all things, look at your tenancy agreement. This should give an address for the landlord "for the serving of notices".

It may be his address. Or c/o his agent. Or his mum. Or... it could even by my address.

Does not matter - you serve notice at the address you have been given.

'Hand delivered' means delivered by hand at the address. So yes, just put it through the letter box (just like the postman does.)

To be safe, take a witness and/or photograph yourself delivering.

RTC87

Argh just had a read through my contract and I have to provide written notice to Connells which are now closed until Monday (1st Sept). I may just post it through the office letter box tomorrow and go in Monday to confirm receipt.

Will that have me covered do you think?

Thrugelmir

RTC87 wrote: »

We have been good tenants though, lived here for 10 months, paid without issue an never contacted the landlord since moving in. Doubt that will make a difference though.

Why should it. The LL is running a business not a charity.