Is email notice valid?

tenant112358

Lancashire, U.K.

Hi all,

I was wondering if anyone could help with my situation. I am currently renting a property on a fixed term contract. My landlord asks for 2 months notice if I do not want to renew my tenancy. I gave my notice via email around 2 weeks ago (over 2 months before end of tenancy) but I feel this was a mistake and I would like to renew my tenancy after all. The landlord has not found new tenants yet but they are advertising the property. We have never missed a rent payment.

We found in our tenancy agreement that it states 'Giving notice: You must give us at least two months notice, in writing, if you want to end this Tenancy Agreement at the end of the fixed term. The Tenancy Period must not end before the last date of the tenancy. You are responsible for paying the rent and any associated costs under this agreement, unti the notice ends, and you vacate the property. If you stay in the Property after the last day of the Tenancy Period, Your tenancy will continue as a statutory periodic tenancy without any prior agreement made by us.' 

It further states 'Notices: Please send any letters or notices associated with this Tenancy Agreement, by recorded delivery, to; [insert address]. If You want to serve notice, the address for this is set out in the particulars above. If We wish to serve You notice, We will post or hand deliver the letter to Your Property. For the purposes of section 48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1987, Our address for service is Our address as stated on the first page of this Tenancy Agreement (or such replacement address for Us as have may have been notified in writing to You).'

Do these clauses mean that the notice we gave via email doesn't actually count? 

The landlord said they were sad to see us go so do you think they would be willing to renew the contract if we ask?

CSI_Yorkshire

Before you start going into tenancy conditions and recorded delivery etc, have you actually spoken to the landlord?

Seems a far simpler approach.

tenant112358

We’re planning to speak with them but just want to be prepared if they say no is all. Hopefully it won’t come to that of course   

MultiFuelBurner

An email is enough to give notice formally if that is what you are asking.

Do you know if the LL is asking for more rent with his advertising so be prepared to have to pay near that.

As we say with our tenants communication is key to everything. Both ways

housebuyer143

If the landlord hasn't found anyone they are probably not going to say no. So speak to them about it. But yes, email notice is classed as in writing.

propertyrental

I'm not convinced the advice above is right. The tenancy agreement says:

Please send any letters or notices associated with this Tenancy Agreement, by recorded delivery, to; [insert address]. If You want to serve notice, the address for this is set out in the particulars above.

That seems pretty clear.

However I agree that a conversation leading to a mutually agreed continuation of the tenancy (either new fixed term or periodic) is the best way forward.