(not) renewing AST - advice needed

mrginge

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Would a landlord who knew what he/she was doing sign a contract with a letting agency that would increase the fees if a tenancy became periodic? This type of contract would mean that tenants had to pay renewal fees every year, or if they choose to leave the landlord would end up paying more tenant finder fees. Would you sign up to a contract like this mrginge?

I may consider it if there was a substantial discount available on the LA's 'normal' fees and I wanted the security of fixed terms and I was confident in the local rental market to know that any voids would be minimal and I had done research to know how long tenants stayed on average for the area.

I take it that you've seen the contract though since you know so much about it?

Pixie5740

Of course you would mrginge.

mrginge

Pixie5740 wrote: »

Of course you would mrginge.

Sorry, your answer is a fairly comprehensive response, but are you saying I wouldn't sign it or I wouldn't consider it given the types of conditions I suggested?

Can you just post up the details of this contract that you have read so I can give you a more complete answer.

Guest101

mrginge wrote: »

Sorry, your answer is a fairly comprehensive response, but are you saying I wouldn't sign it or I wouldn't consider it given the types of conditions I suggested?

Can you just post up the details of this contract that you have read so I can give you a more complete answer.

No Pixie is saying that she has no doubt (and neither do I for that matter) that you would sign a contract (as described by the OP)where the LL gets charged extra for periodic tenancies, gets charged for finding new tenants and most likely gets charged for renewing contracts.


(If that isn't what Pixie meant then I apologise, it's just me who thinks that)

mnorthern

To be precise, the letting agent has confirmed by email, what the landlord said, that they would be charged 900 pounds + VAT if the tenancy goes periodic.

And I am trying to not let this knowledge influence my decision in any way.

I'm pretty sure this is unfair though.

Pixie5740

mnorthern wrote: »

To be precise, the letting agent has confirmed by email, what the landlord said, that they would be charged 900 pounds + VAT if the tenancy goes periodic.

And I am trying to not let this knowledge influence my decision in any way.

I'm pretty sure this is unfair though.

Nor should you let it influence your decision. It was the landlord's choice to sign such an agreement with the letting agency. If your tenancy goes periodic then your landlord will need to pay the £900 + VAT whether you remain in the property or he decides to take steps to evict you. If you are evicted who's to say the next tenant won't let the tenancy become periodic too.

greensalad

mnorthern wrote: »

seems like there is a lot of protection for the landlord, but if something happened to me, I would still have to pay rent for the whole duration of the AST

I agree. The problem with all these supposed tenant "protections" is that actually trying to enforce any of your rights will get you kicked out for "other reasons". So tenants will always have to tread on eggshells for fear of being booted.

Guest101

greensalad wrote: »

I agree. The problem with all these supposed tenant "protections" is that actually trying to enforce any of your rights will get you kicked out for "other reasons". So tenants will always have to tread on eggshells for fear of being booted.

Section 21 has been brought into check more now the Deregulation Act 2015 is in effect.