Tenant hoping to end a Fixed term tenancy early

DMMEG

Hi. I signed a fixed term tenancy for 12 months in march 2017 (tenancy expiring in march 2018). There is no break clause in the contract. The property is rented to me via an agency. Unfortunately my work situation has changed and I will be unemployed from the 10th October. I need to end my tenancy on the 19th October ( the day the rent is usually paid/the day of the month I moved in) as I will be unable to pay rent thereafter due to lack of earnings. I wanted some advice on how to go about this:
1. Should I send a letter addressed to the landlord c/o letting agency (as I have no personal contact details for them)?

2. Should I try and negotiate an early termination with the letting agent by writing to them first?

3. If the landlord refuses to let me terminate, do I have any other options?

4. If anyone knows of a template letter to send to the landlord, I would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction

Many thanks

sevenhills

DMMEG wrote: »

Unfortunately my work situation has changed and I will be unemployed from the 10th October. I need to end my tenancy on the 19th October ( the day the rent is usually paid/the day of the month I moved in) as I will be unable to pay rent thereafter due to lack of earnings.

Housing benefit?

Tyler_Du

You entered into a legally binding contract, talk to your landlord (direct if you can) and try to negotiate a release payment / deal. They of course can just say no, I guess it then gets difficult. Won't you be moving onto other employment ?

DMMEG

I do intend to move into other employment, but it could be anywhere in the country. I will not be eligible for housing benefit as I will be able to find work, but there is nothing that is available locally.

theartfullodger

You can end it any time you like, this evening if you wish.

But you remain liable for rent until the end date.

sevenhills

Try and find a tenant yourself, offer them a month free; but seek the landlords advice.

[Deleted User]

As long as you are complying with looking for work rules you will be able to claim jobseekers allowance and housing benefit. This could give you time to find another job although obviously if you find work in another part of the country this will just delay the negotiating process.

As suggested, you could offer to find another tenant and/or negotiate leaving early. But the LL does not have to comply. As you have no address for the LL, write to the LA giving them 21 days to give the LL's address. They have to comply.

Guest101

DMMEG wrote: »

Hi. I signed a fixed term tenancy for 12 months in march 2017 (tenancy expiring in march 2018). There is no break clause in the contract. The property is rented to me via an agency. Unfortunately my work situation has changed and I will be unemployed from the 10th October. I need to end my tenancy on the 19th October ( the day the rent is usually paid/the day of the month I moved in) as I will be unable to pay rent thereafter due to lack of earnings. I wanted some advice on how to go about this:
1. Should I send a letter addressed to the landlord c/o letting agency (as I have no personal contact details for them)? - To ask if they would consider letting you out of your obligations

2. Should I try and negotiate an early termination with the letting agent by writing to them first? - I'd consider discussing the details over the phone and then putting in writing.

3. If the landlord refuses to let me terminate, do I have any other options? - no

4. If anyone knows of a template letter to send to the landlord, I would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction

Many thanks

You are relying purely on the goodwill of the LL

Pixie5740

sevenhills wrote: »

Try and find a tenant yourself, offer them a month free; but seek the landlords advice.

Ignore this advice.

Pixie5740

Talk to your landlord, explain the situation and try to negotiate an early surrender.

Yes you are legally required to pay rent to the end of your fixed term but from a practical point of view what is the point of holding a tenant to that if (s)he is facing unemployment? An early surrender is less messy than chasing someone for arrears.

saajan_12

The starting position is you are liable for another 8 months rent until the end of your contract, regardless of your earnings. If you don't pay, the LL can evict you via Section 8 and sue you to recover the arrears as well as court / recovery costs.

You can
1) Get another job to increase your income
2) Save up now for the rent after you stop working
3) Negotiate an early surrender
4) Take in a lodger to increase your income

You can offer
- rent until the property is relet
- reletting costs (advertising, tenancy drafting, referencing etc)
- help finding a new tenant
- £x to terminate early for the LL's extra hassle