End early the tenancy agreement

[Deleted User]

Good morning, I'm desperately for an advice. We are in the process to buy a new build house and our current landlord is making our lives very difficult right now because our contract ends in December 23rd 2020. We don't have a break clause. We gave a verbal pre-notice that we are planning to move out in the next month or two and they saying that we are in contact. What can I do now? We can't pay rent for another 2 or 3 months rent, council tax and utility bills for current property and mortgage, rent, utility bills etc for the new property. Please help. Thank you

hazyjo

When is the new build meant to be ready? They often overrun.

macman

You agreed a fixed term ending in December: you are bound by that contract. Why do you think you are not? Giving notice, verbal or otherwise, does not void your contract.
You do not have to give any notice at all, as long as you vacate by 23/12/20, when your fixed term ends. After that, your tenancy becomes a periodic one and you will need to give notice, normally a month.
You can move out earlier of course, but you will still be liable for rent and utilities until the end of your fixed term.

grumiofoundation

As said above when will the new build actually be ready for you to move into - very possible won’t even be ready for you in 2/3 months. 

Therefore DONT give notice - if you do and you aren’t ready to leave when it expires you may be liable for double rent if you don’t leave. Don’t give notice until you have exchanged (legally agreed to buy/sell property). 

N. B. You are able to leave on 23rd December (end of fixed term) without having to give notice. 

AdrianC

LumiP said:

Good morning, I'm desperately for an advice. We are in the process to buy a new build house and our current landlord is making our lives very difficult right now because our contract ends in December 23rd 2020. We don't have a break clause. We gave a verbal pre-notice that we are planning to move out in the next month or two and they saying that we are in contact. What can I do now? We can't pay rent for another 2 or 3 months rent, council tax and utility bills for current property and mortgage, rent, utility bills etc for the new property. Please help. Thank you

Well, sorry, but unless you can agree a mutually acceptable solution - you are going to have to pay rent until the end of your contractual fixed period. That's kinda the whole point of a fixed period - BOTH sides are bound by it.

This shouldn't be a surprise now - you've been aware of this fixed period end date since the start of the tenancy... last December?

Was this a renewal of a pre-existing tenancy?

[Deleted User]

Hi Adrian, thank you for your comment. Yes, did know the terms of the tenancy agreement. Was a renewal. We lived in this place for 3 years and 2 months. I mentioned about that when we signed the new contract and the landlord said is a standard contract. We didn't think we will move out before ending the contract. But now the circumstances are changed. We did have a good relationship with the landlord so far but since we told him what plans we have he just turned to be a very nasty guy. 
Can we delay the purchase until a convenient date that will not expensive for us?

[Deleted User]

Hi grumiofundation, the house is nearly finished, probably 1 or 2 weeks. We already seen the place. 
Can we delay the purchase until an convenient date fir us? This is a shared ownership house anthe seller is Citizen Housing Association. Thank you

[Deleted User]

Hi Hazyjo, probably 1 week or 2. We already have seen the place. We got the mortgage offer signed off. Can we delay the purchase until an convenient date for us?

MaryNB

Have you offered to find new suitable tenants if you leave early?  Doesn't get you out of the contract but it may make the landlord more agreeable if there's less work for them and some guarantee that there won't be a void.

davidmcn

LumiP said:

Can we delay the purchase until an convenient date for us?

Is it already built? Have you asked your solicitor? 

[Deleted User]

davidmcn said:

LumiP said:

Can we delay the purchase until an convenient date for us?

Is it already built? Have you asked your solicitor? 

Yes, the house is already build, just few bits and will complete in 1 week or 2. I'll contact my solicitor Tuesday. But will be possible to delay the purchase? We got the mortgage offer signed as well. The searches are done. I'm really stressed. I can't loose everything just because the landlord is not helpful.