Renting - Letting agent demanding we sign a new Tenancy Agreement

EchoW

The tenancy agreement has officially expired and so far, I haven't heard from the letting agent.

Regarding the LL rent increase posts, if the LL in the meantime wants to increase the rent, am I correct that they have to give us at least a months notice if they wish to do so?

In terms of us giving notice to vacate, will it be a months notice from the last day of our rental period? E.g. if the tenancy started on the 28th, the notice will be from the 27th? Or can it be a month from anytime?

I don't seem able to post links as a new user but I'm taking that information off of the shelter site under ending a periodic tenancy and from what Pixie5740 linked in her post to G_M's Ending/Renewing an AST.

SerialRenter

EchoW wrote: »

Regarding the LL rent increase posts, if the LL in the meantime wants to increase the rent, am I correct that they have to give us at least a months notice if they wish to do so?

They will either ask you to agree with a rent increase, or they will serve you with an S13. But yes, you'll get a rental periods notice.

You can read up on it here:
http://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/rent_increases

In terms of us giving notice to vacate, will it be a months notice from the last day of our rental period? E.g. if the tenancy started on the 28th, the notice will be from the 27th? Or can it be a month from anytime?

That's also right, you must give at least one rental period's notice, based on when it started (not necessarily when you pay).

I'm taking that information off of the shelter site under ending a periodic tenancy and from what Pixie5740 linked in her post to G_M's Ending/Renewing an AST.

Both excellent sources of information, that should have everything you need, but of course feel free to ask us any other questions.

EchoW

Thank you SerialRenter.

Speaking of the devil, I've just been left a voicemail by the letting agent asking for me to ring them back. I'd like to keep things civil so I'm not too sure if its best to call them back and say I'd like to remain on a SPT as the fixed term has expired or is it best to simply ignore them?

G_M

SerialRenter wrote: »

Both excellent sources of information, that should have everything you need, but of course feel free to ask us any other questions.

I'm thinking of registering myself as a charity and setting up in competition to Shelter.

I've just been left a voicemail by the letting agent asking for me to ring them back.

If you feel confident in your ability to maintain your position whilst remaining friendly/polite, ring them back.

If you fear they may bamboozle you, or you might get angry, don't. Wait for them to write.

EchoW

G_M wrote: »

I'm thinking of registering myself as a charity and setting up in competition to Shelter.

I think you should do just that :money:

Thanks for all your help, so glad I wrote the post.

EchoW

I thought I would give an update after giving the letting agent a call (sorry its lengthy but thought it might help).

Straight way they urged we needed to get in, sign and pay the renewal fee asap. I've explained that we would like to remain on a SPT as the fixed term has ended so there was no need to. They didn't like that and insisted that it was company policy for us to come in and pay the fees otherwise there will be consequences.

I've then explained that the T & C's we initially signed and the previous tenancy agreements don't mention this at all and that the supplementary documents you provided us when we first started renting explain that when a fixed term comes to an end, your automatically enrolled on a SPT (glad I kept all that!!!). I've also explained the SPT and they were like great, you know the facts :rotfl:

They then paused for a bit and demanded again that we needed to sign it asap. So I've now explained that there was no need for us to sign a new tenancy agreement on a month by month basis with a 2 month notice period (no break clause) plus a renewal fee of £100 + VAT on top as were already on a SPT.

After a few more tries, they finally backed down slightly and offered a new agreement on a month by month basis with one months notice and no fee but they would like us to pop in to sign it as its company policy (no mention of any break clauses etc).

I haven't agreed to anything but the question is, is it best to sign that new agreement or is it best to leave it and just remain on the SPT? I can't personally see any difference and I'm hoping the house we bought finally completes this month :j

mrginge

They want you to sign something so they can justify charging the LL a fee.

The question is what do *you* get out of signing it?

EchoW

mrginge wrote: »

They want you to sign something so they can justify charging the LL a fee.

The question is what do *you* get out of signing it?

TBH it seems like I won't get anything out of it but just wanted to make sure.

jbainbridge

I wouldn't sign anything - legally there is no need. And as has been said the agent will likely use it as an excuse to charge the landlord.