Renting and looking to buy

Antman27

I'm an FTB currently renting a flat. We've been here for almost two years now and our tenancy agreement is up for renewal this October. Once renewed I'm locked in for six months after which I can terminate with a month's notice.

I am actively looking to buy and hoping something clicks very soon. In case I don't find something suitable soon (say by August) I'm thinking of informing my letting agent about this and hope to renew the contract without this six month clause.

I'd like to know if this is common practice. If this isn't then I'd probably have to stop my house hunt till spring when the six month period in my renwed contract will end. Or am I overthinking this?

El_Torro

It all depends on what your landlord will accept. You can ask to go to a rolling monthly tenancy, the worst they can say is no.

I am a landlord myself and this wouldn’t bother me, especially since you have been in the flat for two years already. Most landlords accept that many tenants move on eventually and could do with the flexibility when looking to buy a property.

Countrysider

Letting agents like to maintain the narrative that renewals are required, and particularly dislike any mention of a statutory periodic tenancy. They may say that the landlord doesn't want this type of tenancy and will issue a S21 if you don't renew. 

If you're in a 'hot' rental area like London / South Manchester / etc then from experience they'll bullying you into renewing. If you're somewhere where landlords can't be too picky then they'll most likely be grateful for a paying tenant and be fine with a periodic tenancy. 

AdrianC

El_Torro said:

It all depends on what your landlord will accept. You can ask to go to a rolling monthly tenancy, the worst they can say is no.

They don't need to accept anything. If the tenant does not sign a new tenancy, the landlord's only option is to issue s21 notice.

This whole scam of pretending signing new tenancies is necessary is ridiculous, and counter-productive to everybody involved - except the agents who get a few quid for doing it...

andy444

Landlords would prefer to have a long term tenant fixed to a particular time period so they don't have the bother of looking for a new appropriate tenant. It sounds like you've had little issues with him if you've stayed there for two years presumably without any problems. If he's reasonable, and you explain your situation, then he should allow a rolling contract and there's no harm in just asking.

dimbo61

Try and speak to the Landlord and just ask or inform him/her that you wish to go on a periodic tenancy.
See what the reaction is.
The Letting agents lose out on renewal fees from the Landlord so will try and stop this !

Antman27

Thank you all for your comments. I've never communicated directly with the landlord but the agents have been quite understanding of all our needs and have met almost all our requests these past two years. So I hope they'll agree to a monthly rolling contract. Just wondering when is the right time to speak to them - sooner rather than later I suppose?   

Countrysider

Antman27 said:

Just wondering when is the right time to speak to them - sooner rather than later I suppose?   

Later (or never) rather than sooner would be best. If nothing happens at the end of your tenancy then it becomes a statutory periodic tenancy by default. Bring it up when they contact you to ask about renewal. You may know about your future housing situation better by then and it gives them less time to pressure you. 

There is virtually no benefit to you as a tenant to renew a fixed term tenancy. The only people who benefit are the agents (for the fee) and landlord (for rental security for the next 6 months). 

[Deleted User]

Antman27 said:

Thank you all for your comments. I've never communicated directly with the landlord but the agents have been quite understanding of all our needs and have met almost all our requests these past two years. So I hope they'll agree to a monthly rolling contract. Just wondering when is the right time to speak to them - sooner rather than later I suppose?   

The landlord doesn’t have to agree. Statutory periodic tenancy, the clue is in the name, it is statutory law or Contractural periodic tenancy where the terms have already been agreed in your original fixed term contract. 

There’s a whole section about ending and renewing AST in the sticky at the top of the board. It would probably be worth reading. 

grumiofoundation

El_Torro said:

It all depends on what your landlord will accept. You can ask to go to a rolling monthly tenancy, the worst they can say is no.

I am a landlord myself and this wouldn’t bother me, especially since you have been in the flat for two years already. Most landlords accept that many tenants move on eventually and could do with the flexibility when looking to buy a property.

No it doesn't depend on what landlord will accept.

You are a landlord...?

andy444 said:

Landlords would prefer to have a long term tenant fixed to a particular time period so they don't have the bother of looking for a new appropriate tenant. It sounds like you've had little issues with him if you've stayed there for two years presumably without any problems. If he's reasonable, and you explain your situation, then he should allow a rolling contract and there's no harm in just asking.

Again (as explained in posts before and after yours) - a landlord doesn't 'allow' a periodic tenancy (may not have been what you meant but use of 'allow' implies they have a mechanism to stop a periodic tenancy being formed - which they don't).

grumiofoundation

Antman27 said:

Thank you all for your comments. I've never communicated directly with the landlord but the agents have been quite understanding of all our needs and have met almost all our requests these past two years. So I hope they'll agree to a monthly rolling contract. Just wondering when is the right time to speak to them - sooner rather than later I suppose?   

As said above the landlord doesn't have to agree (see posts above and links below - Shlter link for England).

The end of your fixed term does not end your tenancy.
At the end of your fixed term a contractual tenancy will start automatically (landlord/agent cannot stop this) either contractual or statutory.
You do not have to sign a new fixed term.
Landlord can choose to serve you notice (probably somewhat unlikely assuming you keep paying rent) but as you re lookign to buy not really a big issue.



https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/options_when_your_fixed_term_tenancy_ends

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/67759913#Comment_67759913

 Just wondering when is the right time to speak to them - sooner rather than later I suppose?   

I would suggest not. Fixed term doesn't end for a few months.Why warn them that you might not sign a new fixed term? You are just giving them time to serve you notice.