Landlord hasn't acknowledged our notice to end tenancy

Gipper

Hi folks,

We are currently renting and gave our one months notice to end the tenancy via email and also formally by registered post. The landlord hasn't responded in any way at all and we are becoming increasingly concerned by this absence of communication.

What would be the suggested course of action to take if this lack of communication continues?

Pixie5740

When you say you gave notice by registered post, do you mean that you used either Royal Mail's Signed For service or their Special Delivery service? If so, has your LL actually signed for the letter?

franklee

Notice should be served as required in the tenancy agreement. Typically it should be hand delivered with proof or posted by ordinary post from two separate post offices retaining proof of posting. Signed for post is a bad idea as it can be refused so the notice won't be served. Email as a follow up may be useful but it won't count as formal notice unless the tenancy agreement allows.

OP suggest you serve notice again properly.

G_M

* The email is irrelevant (unless the tenancy agreement says email can be used?)
* did you send the letter to the correct address (as specified on the TA "for serving notices")?
* was the letter signed for?

Assuming you have served notice properly, you legaly need do nothing more. Move out on the end date, cancel your standing order for rent. read the meters and end the utility contracts Post keys to the (corect) address or hand deliver. Then write again to the LL requesting your deposit.

If you still get no reply, make a single claim direct to the deposit scheme.

On a practical level, if you have other meas of contacting the LL, try those (eg a polite phone call). Or perhaps a 2nd (non registered) polite letter, reminding the LL of the last latter and tenancy end date, and asking about return of keys, deposit, inspection etc.

Gipper

The letter was sent to the address listed in the tenancy agreement by special delivery.

There was no-one present when the royal mail attempted to deliver but they left a while you were out card. It still hasn't been collected/delivered 10 days after it was sent.

G_M

Gipper wrote: »

There was no-one present when the royal mail attempted to deliver but they left a while you were out card. It still hasn't been collected/delivered 10 days after it was sent.

There is some debate about whether legally notice has been served in that case.

The solution, and best advice, is to send two letters, both 1st class but not 'signed for', from different post offices, and get 'proof of posting'.

That way the letters WILL be delivered (whereas yours was not). And even if one got 'lost in the post' no court would believe they both got lost.

Gipper

I should add that he is primarily resident abroad although the address on the TA is in the UK. Most of our communication has been by email and he has been very prompt to reply to these throughout the tenancy until this last month.

Aside from the issues of formal notice, I also have concerns about arranging the final inspection, returning the keys and getting our deposit back.

lxpeanut

Is it a ltd company? if so when you send the letter to the registered address via normal first class post its legally considered served the next day. Proof of postage is useful if there is any doubt but not necessary. If your not sure if its the registered address you have go online to gov.uk and find companies house and check. Resend the letter tomorrow via 1st class post.