Agency asking about renewal 5 months ahead

Mimi123456

Hello,

my 1yr rental contract only expiring end of March next year. But about a week ago the agency reached out about the renewal.
should I view it as suspicious? Something in the new Tenants Bill that I am missing that could be pushing them to make me sign early before the legislation comes into force?

Would appreciate the views. And whether I should sign or wait closer to the date of expiration.

Thank you!

DavidT67

My son's rental contract expires August and they were asked to make a decision on renewal in October, with nine months remaining.  

It's probably just landlords and agents trying to get firm commitments as early as possible.

Nearlyold

Impossible to say what if any the motive is. Maybe the landlord is planning running down his rental portfolio but wants to keep you on as you're a model tenant so is keen to know what your plans are?  Have you tried asking the agency?

Brie

Would anything signed this early, knowing legislation is on it's way, be binding?

elsien

Could you not just go onto the rolling contract anyway? 

theartfullodger

Thank them for their kind offer.  Make a counter offer, proposing a rent reduction of say £100/mo.. Calm, polite, in writing.

Always amazes me that so many tenants don't seem to realize thay can.

Which country?? The law can be very different.

Best wishes to all.

Grumpy_chap

Mimi123456 said:

Hello,

my 1yr rental contract only expiring end of March next year. But about a week ago the agency reached out about the renewal.
should I view it as suspicious? Something in the new Tenants Bill that I am missing that could be pushing them to make me sign early before the legislation comes into force?

Would appreciate the views. And whether I should sign or wait closer to the date of expiration.

Thank you!

I suspect the LL is trying to get a full year AST in place before AST all become rolling contracts.
Which is a largely moot change as, if the AST simply expires and no-one has served notice, it becomes a rolling contract anyway.

I am a LL and do offer a new AST annually.  I feel it gives the T the certainty of intent that they are secure for another year.  And me the same certainty of intent that the T probably sees themselves staying.  The T is free to decline and simply stay on the current contract which will become rolling.

Mimi123456

DavidT67 said:

My son's rental contract expires August and they were asked to make a decision on renewal in October, with nine months remaining.  

It's probably just landlords and agents trying to get firm commitments as early as possible.

Wow. 9 months. Your son’s AST contract barely started! How has he responded to them?

Mimi123456

Thank you everyone for your thoughts. 

I think there was something about rent increases in the upcoming Bill and perhaps something else I missed.

I responded to them that my intentions at the moment are to stay at the place but suggested we discuss the renewal closer to the date.
I hope they don’t press for renewal too early. Who knows. I want to stay but in 5 months no one knows what my circumstances are and what other options I have.

At the moment I am paying very much already /// so definitely don’t want to sign up to a rent hike when maybe I will have more options in March. They have built a lot recently in my area so maybe that will keep prices in check.

DavidT67

Mimi123456 said:

DavidT67 said:

My son's rental contract expires August and they were asked to make a decision on renewal in October, with nine months remaining.  

It's probably just landlords and agents trying to get firm commitments as early as possible.

Wow. 9 months. Your son’s AST contract barely started! How has he responded to them?

Well, he intends to move in to a new place with his girlfriend when both their contracts expire.  (They are University students).  Both their flats are already been marketed by agents for new students, available from August 2026 at higher rates than they paid.
 

Mutton_Geoff

Is there a six month break clause in the AST? Maybe that's the reason?