Breaking an AST?

pioneer31

I currently rent and have just started a 6 month AST but am now looking to move to a different part of the country. Terrible timing I know. I would like a new job to emerge after the 6 months when I'm onto a rolling contract but life doesn't always work out that way.

My question is what would the penalty be if I found another job and had to leave before the 6 months elapsed? The outstanding amount, a proportion, fine etc?

I naturally don't want to ask the landlord/agent and alert them of my intentions, especially if they don't come to fruition.

Has anyone else done this?

Thanks!

Cissi

Legally you'd be liable for the full 6 months' rent but you may be able to negotiate with the LL...

pmlindyloo

In no particular order:

1) You are contractually bound to pay rent to the end of the tenancy so this is the worse scenario.
2) The LL/LA will ask for monies to re let the property and make you liable for rent until this happens (note - LL cannot charge two sets of rent)
3) The LL/LA will agree a surrender of the property (get it in writing) if you give one month/two months notice and that will be it.

Perhaps a mixture of the above.

Basically there are no set rules other than you relying on the good nature of the LL/LA.

You may be able to help yourself by

finding a new tenant yourself (but obviously with need LL's blessing and they will have to be checked)

writing to the LL first and negotiating (some LAs will charge what they like)

The long and short of it is there are no fixed rules.

The only glimmer of hope for further negotiation is if the LL/LA hasn't protected your deposit in a scheme as are the legal requirements.

pioneer31

pmlindyloo wrote: »

In no particular order:

1) You are contractually bound to pay rent to the end of the tenancy so this is the worse scenario.
2) The LL/LA will ask for monies to re let the property and make you liable for rent until this happens (note - LL cannot charge two sets of rent)
3) The LL/LA will agree a surrender of the property (get it in writing) if you give one month/two months notice and that will be it.

Perhaps a mixture of the above.

Basically there are no set rules other than you relying on the good nature of the LL/LA.

You may be able to help yourself by

finding a new tenant yourself (but obviously with need LL's blessing and they will have to be checked)

writing to the LL first and negotiating (some LAs will charge what they like)

The long and short of it is there are no fixed rules.

The only glimmer of hope for further negotiation is if the LL/LA hasn't protected your deposit in a scheme as are the legal requirements.

they have

Ok, well thanks I'll see how it goes!

dirty_magic

Sorry to hijack this but can you get out of an AST if your deposit hasn't been protected?

G_M

dirty_magic wrote: »

Sorry to hijack this but can you get out of an AST if your deposit hasn't been protected?

No.

You still have a contract.