How much can a landlord charge for set up fees?

jodystanton

Thank you all for your advice. Its greatly appreciate 

[Deleted User]

Remember, you are the one with the power in this situation!  Don't let them boss you around.    If a month-by-month agreement at the same rent is what you want, tell them that is what it will be!   They are not in a position to do anything about it.

steampowered

jodystanton said:

thank you for your replies @steampowered & @Comms69. In an email we received from the estate agent she said Your landlord has confirmed he is happy to renew for a further 12 months with no break clause at the current rent. Should you want to move before the 12 months of the fixed term you would need to proceed with a deed of surrender, the fees you would be liable for are as follows and these would cover the marketing costs for your landlord". I read this with the intention that he wouldn't have to give agreement for us to leave the contract early, we would just have to pay fee's of £800+ and not pay any outstanding months rent in advance that we wasn't occupying the property? is this correct?

You are almost certainly misreading this.  If you don't have a break clause you will be bound to pay rent for the whole 12 month term of the tenancy agreement - that is the whole point of having a fixed term.

The landlord doesn't have to agree to let you leave early. The landlord may agree to an early surrender of the tenancy, but he can say no, or he can attach conditions to it. Most landlords will only agree to release you early from a fixed term tenancy once a new tenant has been found and any fees or re-marketing costs paid for by the outgoing tenant.

You shouldn't sign up to a 12 month tenancy unless you are happy to commit to paying rent for 12 months. It's a 12 month commitment for both the landlord and the tenant.

greatcrested

As explained several times:

* if you sign a 12 month contract, you are stuck there contractually for.... 12 months.

* unless you and the LL agree to an Early Surrender - and the LL has explained the terms/costs under which he'd agree this

* you have a legal right to move to a periodic tenancy - read the link provided earlier

* if you move to a periodic tenancy, the LL can increase the rent either

i) in accordance with a rent clause in the original agreemnt. This must be specific, not just 'rent will be reviewed'., or

ii) if no rent clause, then by serving a S13 Notice

Read:

Post 5: Rent increases: when & how can rent be increased?

[Deleted User]

You're the one who's in the position to control this situation.You're not counting on the landlord for a reference because you're buying somewhere.   And he has no possibility to evict you within the next 6 months, even if he wants to.  

So, you have nothing to lose by telling him & the agency that there'll be no rent increase, no new contract, and you'll keep paying the same rent month-by-month on a periodic basis.  

Because after all what are they going do about it?  Whistle?  

Then you have the freedom to be there for another 3 months, or 7 months, or whatever duration it may be.