Tenants left half way through contract - what process should I follow?

AnnaF11

Advice needed please. I have been renting a property for almost 5 years to the same family. Last year, at the request of the tenant we entered into another 2 year tenancy agreement.
About 2 months ago the tenants contacted us to say that they had been speaking to a housing authority and may be moving into one of their properties due to ill health. We agreed to provide a reference.
A few weeks after providing the reference they advised they had been offered a property but they didn’t know if they would take it.
I noticed that my tenant was selling furniture on Facebook so I prompted them again for an update on the house move situation.
Finally last week I received a text to say that they were taking the housing association property and would be leaving 5 days later!
They moved out (but left an old car in the garage and another on the drive). They still have keys and and are saying that in their opinion they gave us notice by saying they were looking elsewhere.

Am I right in saying that;
1.I can hold them to the contract that says they are liable for rent until the contract ends in 12 months (or I re-let or sell). Honestly I dont want to do that to them, but need something financial to cover my mortgage so need a compromise /resolution.
2. Can I apply for the owed rent from contract breakage via the DPS deposit scheme?
3. Should I put something in writing to my tenant or take this legal somehow?

Do I have any chance of recouping anything?

This is the first time this had happened to us, and I’m even more disappointed as they have been brilliant tenants.
Any advice would be greatly received.
Thanks A

davidmcn

AnnaF11 wrote: »

Am I right in saying that;
1. They have not given us a months notice as per the contract that they are in breach

You haven't mentioned anything else about a month's notice - you said it was a two year tenancy starting last year?

AnnaF11

Sorry, it was a 24 month contract that said at the end of the term it would roll over month on month and then a 1 month notice would be required.
They are 12 month into the 24 months contract so legally they shouldn’t be able to leave at all should they?
I was just thinking that even if we were to negotiate to allow them out of the contract you would expect a minimum of 1 month out of courtesy wouldn’t you?

AnnaF11

Davidmcn I have removed the info about the months notice as I am just confusing things. There is no option to exit the contract within term with a months notice.