Post-fire dispute with landlord - vacating property

newsgroupmonkey_

There is no reason why you can't just walk in the door to the letting agent, explain who you are and then give them the keys.
They can choose not to accept them, but seriously, what are they going to do? Force them back into your pocket or bag? Block you from leaving? Most of these people couldn't fight their way out of a paper bag, so they're hardly going to assault you.

Titus_Wadd

Given that the rent is paid for the full 12 months, is there anyone locally that you trust to visitthe flat once a month to flush the loo (captured on their mobile phone in the most boring  video clip collection?  I appreciate it's a big ask and requires a high level of trust on your part.  But I'd be tempted to surrender the key only at the 12 month point (following correctly served notice)!  

Again sorry that's not real advice but the landlord seems not to realise he could re-let and get double rent for a few months!  If he's unhappy with his letting agent, that's for him to address.

Soot2006

I consider myself a reasonable human and unreasonable humans like your LL really annoy me.

So you've paid the rent for 12 months. They won't let you leave earlier ...  I'd consider threatening the LL that I had no option but to get lodgers and then leave them behind or use the flat as a crack den for the next 6 months. I probably wouldn't do anything like that, because I tend not to do anything silly and am non confrontational (it's all in my head lol), but your LL doesn't know how good he has it with you being so reasonable despite his idiocy. You could sublet the flat, trash it in anger, NOT leave at the end of the paid 12 months ... there are so many things you COULD do if you were a horrid person too, but here you are worrying about flushing someone else's toilet in another country from where you will be  ... Sorry, no advice, rant over.