Moved into flat share and need to leave. How can I break the contract?

Joedavis

I recently moved into a London flat share. I wasn't 100% sure about doing so but it's so difficult to find anywhere to live in London and the rental market is so competitive, I felt I had to take a chance on this particular option. I met the two existing tenants and viewed the flat and later accepted when I was offered the room. 

I've been at the flat for one month and one of the two tenants is absolutely fine and easy to live around. The other one is a nightmare. She bombards us with texts, takes over the kitchen as an office, sends lots of passive/aggressive messages about things around the house and keeps knocking on my door to make noise complains when there's any kind of minor sound made. 

So I've given it a chance but I already know that I've made a big mistake and I absolutely can't live with this person. It's not somewhere I can relax, cook and spend weekends as I feel stressed and uncomfortable. The problem is I have a tenancy agreement until September. Is there a way I can get out of this? I am very willing to help find a replacement tenant and this won't be hard in London. I know contracts are there to be honoured but in the circumstances, it seems to me to be normal to have non compatibilities occur in a flat share situation. I'm slightly worried that the agency won't be understanding and will insist on payment of the full contract. So really just trying to understand my options before I contact them. 

elsien

What does your tenancy say about this -anything?

RHemmings

Have you spoken to your landlord, and if so what did they say? 

gazfocus

Have you considered reporting the behaviour of the other tenant to the agency/landlord? No way should they be behaving like that, especially taking over communal space as if it were there work area. 

Grumpy_chap

Joedavis said:

I recently moved into a London flat share. I wasn't 100% sure about doing so but it's so difficult to find anywhere to live in London and the rental market is so competitive, I felt I had to take a chance on this particular option. I met the two existing tenants and viewed the flat and later accepted when I was offered the room. 

I've been at the flat for one month and one of the two tenants is absolutely fine and easy to live around. The other one is a nightmare. She bombards us with texts, takes over the kitchen as an office, sends lots of passive/aggressive messages about things around the house and keeps knocking on my door to make noise complains when there's any kind of minor sound made. 

So I've given it a chance but I already know that I've made a big mistake and I absolutely can't live with this person. It's not somewhere I can relax, cook and spend weekends as I feel stressed and uncomfortable. The problem is I have a tenancy agreement until September. Is there a way I can get out of this? I am very willing to help find a replacement tenant and this won't be hard in London. I know contracts are there to be honoured but in the circumstances, it seems to me to be normal to have non compatibilities occur in a flat share situation. I'm slightly worried that the agency won't be understanding and will insist on payment of the full contract. So really just trying to understand my options before I contact them. 

So, this is a flat share with three of you in total.
What form of contract do you have? 
Is this an arrangement where you are accepted as a group of three and each jointly and severally liable for the other?
OR, is this a more conventional HMO agreement where each of you operate as separate tenants?

[Deleted User]

Have you challenged the person on their behaviour. Tenants who live together are best to work things out between themselves if possible. 

Joedavis

[Deleted User] said:

Have you challenged the person on their behaviour. Tenants who live together are best to work things out between themselves if possible. 

Yes, I agree. In this case, the person is so difficult and intelligent that I know it's not going to be worth trying. I think admitting my mistake in moving in despite red flags is the best option. 

silvercar

Joint contract or individual contracts? Either way, see what the landlords view is on you finding a replacement

Joedavis

Joedavis said:

[Deleted User] said:

Have you challenged the person on their behaviour. Tenants who live together are best to work things out between themselves if possible. 

Yes, I agree. In this case, the person is so difficult and intelligent that I know it's not going to be worth trying. I think admitting my mistake in moving in despite red flags is the best option. 

Apologies. I meant unintelligent! I'll try to speak with the landlord today (the agency will have to enable that) and hopefully, they are understanding about the incompatibility and will agree to transferring my contract to a new tenant. 

sheramber

What does the other tenhent in the flat share feel about this?

Herzlos

What happens if you just ignore her? You're resigned to moving out anyway so just don't answer the door to her or respond to any messages, she'll probably escalate a bit and then give up as her power is taken away. Complain to the landlord about the kitchen and harassment.