Private rental termination

Bmwm3gt2

Lover_of_Lycra said:

Where is 4 weeks coming from?  Do you have a contractual periodic tenancy that states 4 weeks notice?  What notice has the landlord actually served or has the letting agent just given you a heads up?

Thanks, we were given official notice by recorded delivery but they phoned the day before to say the notice was being sent, this was a while ago (last month) and they wanted us out 17th April so we were given way above the 2 months minimum. The reason they wanted to terminate is because they want to sell the property, it isn't currently on the market so no buyer is lined up. Whilst on the phone the letting agent stated we needed to give 4 weeks notice if/when we found another property. Unfortunately as we were told on the phone we don't have this in writing. We have been model tenants, never been late with rent in nearly 4 years and keep the house immaculate to the point where the letting agent on inspections just comes and has a chat!

EmmyLou30

I'd consider contacting the landlord direct and bypass the letting agent. You are doing him a favour being a cooperative tenant. The other option is sit tight, wait for the s21 date in April to come and go and then let him spend loads of cash to get you out holding his sale up. You don't want to be like that obviously but tell him the letting agent misled you about the 4 weeks notice and now you can't afford to be helpful by paying 2 months rent instead of the 1 you'd budgeted for and their lie to you will now cost him thousands. I'm sure he'll be in touch with them to allow an early surrender on whatever terms you like! 

[Deleted User]

Bmwm3gt2 said:

Lover_of_Lycra said:

Where is 4 weeks coming from?  Do you have a contractual periodic tenancy that states 4 weeks notice?  What notice has the landlord actually served or has the letting agent just given you a heads up?

Thanks, we were given official notice by recorded delivery but they phoned the day before to say the notice was being sent, this was a while ago (last month) and they wanted us out 17th April so we were given way above the 2 months minimum. The reason they wanted to terminate is because they want to sell the property, it isn't currently on the market so no buyer is lined up. Whilst on the phone the letting agent stated we needed to give 4 weeks notice if/when we found another property. Unfortunately as we were told on the phone we don't have this in writing. We have been model tenants, never been late with rent in nearly 4 years and keep the house immaculate to the point where the letting agent on inspections just comes and has a chat!

You really need to read your tenancy agreement to find out if you have a contractual periodic tenancy or a statutory periodic tenancy. 

Do you have the landlord's contact details, other than an address c/o the letting agent? If not write to the letting agent requesting them. The letting agent has 28 days to then provide those details under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Then speak to the organ grinder and arrange something between you. 

Alternatively, delay the tenancy start date of the next place and serve the appropriate notice on the current property. 

Bmwm3gt2

Lover_of_Lycra said:

Bmwm3gt2 said:

Lover_of_Lycra said:

Where is 4 weeks coming from?  Do you have a contractual periodic tenancy that states 4 weeks notice?  What notice has the landlord actually served or has the letting agent just given you a heads up?

Thanks, we were given official notice by recorded delivery but they phoned the day before to say the notice was being sent, this was a while ago (last month) and they wanted us out 17th April so we were given way above the 2 months minimum. The reason they wanted to terminate is because they want to sell the property, it isn't currently on the market so no buyer is lined up. Whilst on the phone the letting agent stated we needed to give 4 weeks notice if/when we found another property. Unfortunately as we were told on the phone we don't have this in writing. We have been model tenants, never been late with rent in nearly 4 years and keep the house immaculate to the point where the letting agent on inspections just comes and has a chat!

You really need to read your tenancy agreement to find out if you have a contractual periodic tenancy or a statutory periodic tenancy. 

Do you have the landlord's contact details, other than an address c/o the letting agent? If not write to the letting agent requesting them. The letting agent has 28 days to then provide those details under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Then speak to the organ grinder and arrange something between you. 

Alternatively, delay the tenancy start date of the next place and serve the appropriate notice on the current property. 

Thank you, I shall have a read of the contract when I get home later. We do have a mobile for the landlord so may go down that avenue. We don't really want to mess the new landlord/letting agent around now we have given them a time scale to work with, based on what notice the existing agent told us.