Finding a replacement tenant towards the end of a tenancy

mr_scientist

I'm currently in the process of moving in with my girlfriend. We recently signed a contract for a new flat together. I currently live in a flat share with two good mates of mine, so will be needing to fill the room.

I've given my notice to the landlord, who have told me that they're happy for us to get a replacement tenant as long as they can pay the correct monies, as well as provide a reference and proof of job/income. The issue we believe we may face is that from the time the new person moves in there's only around 3 months left on the tenancy, and my two friends are intending on moving out. We believe this may make it difficult to get a new person in, as they will then be shelved with either the responsibility of getting two new people in, or potentially the landlord turning around and telling them they will have to leave as it'd be better to put the house back on the open market.

I'd like some advice on how best to get a new tenant in so I'm not potentially left paying three months rent for a room/flat I no longer live in?

Dave_the_Ginger_Cat

Be clear it's a short term let, and perhaps target firms where they have short term contracts

If you're in a University town, 3 months might see someone through to exams


You may just have to live with three months' rent. Timing is not always perfect

mr_scientist

Thanks for the quick reply Dave.

You're right, timing definitely isn't perfect, however, it could cost me the best part of £2K, so it would be fantastic if I can find a solution.

HappyMJ

mr_scientist wrote: »

Thanks for the quick reply Dave.

You're right, timing definitely isn't perfect, however, it could cost me the best part of £2K, so it would be fantastic if I can find a solution.

You are only liable for one third of the rent, as long as your two good mates pay their share, for the remaining 3 months on the fixed term. Surely that doesn't come to nearly £2,000.

mr_scientist

HappyMJ, I'm afraid that really is my share of the rent. I was paying a little more than the other two as the room is an ensuite. I'd say in the area it's in (Z2 North London) it appears to be about average in comparison to other places.

You may want to pick your jaw up now

[Deleted User]

Ensuite rooms can be difficult to find so I suspect that although it would be a 3 month let.., it could be viewed as a nice 'trial' period, and you could ask the LL if he'd let the other two rooms seperately so the tenancy of your room could be continued if the new tenant wanted it to be. You could pass this information on to the new tenant. It may well be an attractive prospect to some.

mr_scientist

Thanks deannatrois, I hope you're right re. rare ensuites.

With regards to the landlord, I don't expect him to be very flexible on this one, we expect that he'll want to put it to the open market as it means a few more £s. The guy owns whole blocks of flats all over N.London, a bit of a buy-to-let baron.

G_M

Since you "recently signed a contract for a new flat together." this is a bit late, but why on earth not wait 3 months. Your current tenancy ends, all 3 mates leave, and replacement tenants are the LL's problem.

I would have thought 3 months is not too long, and so much simpler.

mr_scientist

It's related to timing, whilst my tenancy has just over 3 months left my girlfriends is coming to an end shortly.

Maybe hindsight is a wonderful thing, but we've put pen to paper now, so we're trying to find the best solution to the problem.

mustang1

There are always people looking for short term lets in N London. Very easy to go on spareroom.co.uk and put something up. I would reckon a room with an ensuite will get snapped up and your mates shouldn't be able to massively veto who gets the room if it's only for 3 months.

If need be, you could always reduce the rent a bit so that at least someone is paying most of the £2k and your exposure would be much reduced.

mr_scientist

Mustang we recognise that too and in fact have already started advertising. We're worried though that because our landlord is making the person do reference checks, pay a large deposit, making me sign over the contract etc, it'll put people off, subletting really isn't an option.

The only way round this maybe is to see if the landlord will let me guarantee the deposit, and I maybe carry on paying the bills to keep rent/costs down to make it more attractive.