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Ending a tenancy agreement by a tennant

Hi All,

My girlfriend recently had a bad row with one of her close neighbors in a block of flats. She was really upset and went to see the landlord who conveniently said:


"Oh i need you to sign this actually while your here"


Before signing this document she had no tenancy agreement in place as her original 6 month one had ran out in September. She said she signed it and didn't think anything of it as she was upset. It wasn't until I said to her, he made you sign that in case this incident made you want to leave, and she realized how sly he was in doing so.


The agreement she signed had a printed date on it for September and she signed it halfway through November. The agreement runs until 1st March 2015.


I was wondering if there is any cooling off period before you sign, or if there is anyway to end a tenancy agreement if you do not feel safe in the property.


In case you think she may be being dramatic the person she had a row with is constantly having domestics and physical fights with their partner and she is worried she might get assaulted. The person also threatened to burgle her and steal her washing machine as he needed one.


She suffers with Anxiety and is currently on anti-depressants for this, so she is already anxious and this has made her much worse. She is staying with her mum now and doesn't want to even go back to the property for her belongings. Is there anything she can do other than pay the last 4 months rent, as she just wont stay there so it's paying for an empty house.


Many thanks


Joe

Comments

  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Eighth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    Yes, there was a tenancy agreement after the initial fixed period ended, there was a Statutory Periodic Tenancy in place.

    There isn't a cooling off period, you're supposed to read contracts before signing them. Your friend could try and negotiate an early surrender with the LL but he's under no legal obligation to do so.

    Has your friend reports the threats and domestic violence to the police? Do the neighbours own or are they renting?
  • sofiar
    sofiar Posts: 114 Forumite
    She has by rights the ability to give a 30 day notice - if the shoe was on the other foot then they would have no trouble in handing her a 30 day eviction notice - go to the citizens advice to confirm
    -X-Missima-X-
  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Eighth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    sofiar wrote: »
    She has by rights the ability to give a 30 day notice - if the shoe was on the other foot then they would have no trouble in handing her a 30 day eviction notice - go to the citizens advice to confirm

    No she doesn't have the right to give 30 days notice any more than the landlord can give 30 days notice now.

    What is a 30 day eviction notice when it's at home?
  • sofiar wrote: »
    She has by rights the ability to give a 30 day notice - if the shoe was on the other foot then they would have no trouble in handing her a 30 day eviction notice - go to the citizens advice to confirm
    You're talking complete twaddle.
    She doesn't 'by rights' have the ability to give 30 days notice, she's signed up for another fixed period.
    And the LL would NOT be able to give her 30 days notice and kick her out, that's not how it works.
  • G_M
    G_M Posts: 51,977 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    sofiar wrote: »
    She has by rights the ability to give a 30 day notice - if the shoe was on the other foot then they would have no trouble in handing her a 30 day eviction notice - go to the citizens advice to confirm
    OP - ignore this rubbish.

    A contract is a legal agreement. Always read before signing! No - there is no 'cooling off' period.

    If her original 6 months tenancy ended on, say, 1st Sept, and the agreement she has signed started on 2nd Sept for 6 months to 1st March, then she is bound by that agreement.

    She can, of course, agree an Early Surrender at any time with the landlord's consent.
  • thesaint
    thesaint Posts: 4,324 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    joseph9a wrote: »
    The agreement she signed had a printed date on it for September and she signed it halfway through November. The agreement runs until 1st March 2015.

    She's lucky it was March, and not May.
    Well life is harsh, hug me don't reject me.
  • keyser666
    keyser666 Posts: 2,140 Forumite
    sofiar wrote: »
    She has by rights the ability to give a 30 day notice - if the shoe was on the other foot then they would have no trouble in handing her a 30 day eviction notice - go to the citizens advice to confirm

    like !!!!!!? bet your the sort I see in retailers going "I know my rights"
This discussion has been closed.
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