Estate agent not offering periodic tenancy

In_For_A_Penny_2

Any insight would be welcome -

We are currently renting on an initial 12month lease which is soon to come to an end. I am keen to stay on in the property but I am unsure of my long term plans so was hoping to assume a periodic tenancy.


Upon informing the agency of my wishes, I was informed it was necessary to sign a new tenancy agreement for a further 12 months. I was advised they do not offer periodic tenancy but could draw up a new 12 month agreement with a break clause at a cost of £100.

Is this normal/legal? Sounds like a way to make more money of us.

anselld

The agent doesnt have to offer periodic. You get one automatically when the fixed term expires and you dont leave.

Of course they have the optlion to serve notice.

You should contact the landlord and let them know you are keen to stay on periodic.

fairy_lights

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5184417
You don't happen to have a boyfriend called David, by any chance?

In_For_A_Penny_2

fairy_lights wrote: »

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5184417
You don't happen to have a boyfriend called David, by any chance?

Too young and too male for me.

He does pose a good question though.

In_For_A_Penny_2

anselld wrote: »

The agent doesnt have to offer periodic. You get one automatically when the fixed term expires and you dont leave.

The agency say that I will automatically be renewed onto a 12month contract unless I give notice to leave (or sign a new 12 month contract).

Kryptothesuperdog

what does the contract say that you signed at the start of the tenancy?

mines says i drop onto a month on month contract after term has finished.

anselld

In_For_A_Penny wrote: »

The agency say that I will automatically be renewed onto a 12month contract unless I give notice to leave (or sign a new 12 month contract).

Is this Scotland?

G_M

OP's ID is 'Sussex'.

Inforapenny - read:

* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy?

harrys_dad

In_For_A_Penny wrote: »

The agency say that I will automatically be renewed onto a 12month contract unless I give notice to leave (or sign a new 12 month contract).

Do not believe a word the agent says. Have you got your original tenancy agreement? What does it say? Even if it does contain a ludicrous clause as you have described it is highly unlikely to be enforceable.

The only motivation the agent has is to get you to do something, anything, so they can charge you fees. Agents get paid by landlords to manage properties, but frequently do not act in the landlord's interest but their own. Many seem to put fee generation, from both tenant and landlord, above keeping a good tenant and avoiding a void.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Contact the LL directly and explain you are happy to go on periodic, and that it will cost both of you nothing and you'll keep the same contractual terms.

In_For_A_Penny_2

Thanks all for the replies - this was very much my feeling. I will (attempt to) contact the landlord directly.