Tenancy Agreement

Agaton_Sax

Hi, hope somebody can help me with this ..
I have an 'assured shorthold tenancy agreement' for a period of 12 months. The problem is I moved in and the job I was supposed to get went 'belly-up' and I've ended up in a low paid job with a high rent. I am going to fill in Housing & Council Tax benefit claim form and also put my name on the Housing List but what I would like to know is if I was offered a house from the Council, is there a way to 'break out' of the agreement ? I'm 6 months into it.

clutton_2

legally you are contracted to pay the rent for the whole period - unless there is a break clause. read your AST carefully.

Lavendyr

However if you do decide to leave, though you would be liable for the rest of the rent during the time the house is empty, the landlord would be obligated to minimise his/her losses by actively looking for another tenant. If they find another tenant, you do not have to pay after that tenant starts paying.

guppy

The posts above cover the legal stuff, in practical terms, you need to get in touch with your landlord, explain, and beg.

If he or she has any sense, they won't want to try and enforce the contract if you can't afford to pay the rent and don't want to be there.

That said, you're going to cost them money through no fault of their own, so the LL will probably want reimbursing for agency fees etc.

Just try and explain, be contrite, and make clear you are aware you've been a bit silly but that you're prepared to be reasonable in coming to an agreement where you can end the contract.

Good luck.

silvercar

You'll probably have to wait 6 years for a council house, I wouldn't worry about having 6 months left on your tenancy!