Landlord does not want to renew, but repairs need done.. opinions.

ry250

My landlord emailed me today to say that my tenancy runs out on February 2026 (6 month, AST, this 6 mth period starting in August 2025) and that they will not be renewing the tenancy. I am puzzled really as to why but then I guess I need not know the intricacies.

Now I am pretty gutted but I respect and understand their decision, but I just need to know how I should play this and word a reply email. I am open to an early tenancy surrender but want to mention this at the correct time.

(A) There are one or two repairs round the house that I feel are down to my LL to sort but the mentioning of these just so happen to have coincided with the LL not wanting to renew so I need to know whether to bring this up immiediately or wait until I know if they are down for me leaving early. 

(B) I had the bathroom lino flooring replaced and refitted since there was water damage underneath that we came to collectively assume was by me, the tenant, but upon further inspection, it seems there is a deeper water leakage and thus I am not liable so I will be asking for reimbursement. Do I mention this before or after inquiring about early surrender? 

Anyone been in a sinilar position? 

theartfullodger

Renewal is not required. It will continue, forever, unless you or landlord end tenancy.  He would need to take court action .  Ignore the matter,  Send him a letter re repairs using shelter's draft here...

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/repairs_letter_templates_for_private_renters

ry250

theartfullodger said:

Renewal is not required. It will continue, forever, unless you or landlord end tenancy.  He would need to take court action .  Ignore the matter,  Send him a letter re repairs using shelter's draft here...

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/repairs_letter_templates_for_private_renters

Thank you for that, much appreciated. I did not respond to my LLs email about not wanting to renew past February 2026 and I think I may stay silent on it, that way it forces their hand and they may just assume I am complying. Is this a good strategy?

My end goal is to move out eventually but I want to do it on my terms. 

marcia_

ry250 said:

theartfullodger said:

Renewal is not required. It will continue, forever, unless you or landlord end tenancy.  He would need to take court action .  Ignore the matter,  Send him a letter re repairs using shelter's draft here...

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/repairs/repairs_letter_templates_for_private_renters

Thank you for that, much appreciated. I did not respond to my LLs email about not wanting to renew past February 2026 and I think I may stay silent on it, that way it forces their hand and they may just assume I am complying. Is this a good strategy?

My end goal is to move out eventually but I want to do it on my terms. 

 You can do exactly that. Your tenancy becomes a rolling tenancy and they will have to go to court to get you out. 

YBR

marcia_ said:

ry250 said:

Thank you for that, much appreciated. I did not respond to my LLs email about not wanting to renew past February 2026 and I think I may stay silent on it, that way it forces their hand and they may just assume I am complying. Is this a good strategy?

My end goal is to move out eventually but I want to do it on my terms. 

 You can do exactly that. Your tenancy becomes a rolling tenancy and they will have to go to court to get you out. 

While this is true in law, it's not always prudent. You may need future references, and it can be a horrid situation waiting to be evicted.

If your goal is to move out anyway I'd suggest you try to make plans to do so in Feb, knowing that it's not a disaster should that not work, and if you manage it sooner you can ask about an early exit.

theartfullodger

YBR said:

marcia_ said:

ry250 said:

Thank you for that, much appreciated. I did not respond to my LLs email about not wanting to renew past February 2026 and I think I may stay silent on it, that way it forces their hand and they may just assume I am complying. Is this a good strategy?

My end goal is to move out eventually but I want to do it on my terms. 

 You can do exactly that. Your tenancy becomes a rolling tenancy and they will have to go to court to get you out. 

While this is true in law, it's not always prudent. You may need future references, and it can be a horrid situation waiting to be evicted.

If your goal is to move out anyway I'd suggest you try to make plans to do so in Feb, knowing that it's not a disaster should that not work, and if you manage it sooner you can ask about an early exit.

Such a shame prospective tenants do not take up references about landlords from current or previous tenants.

As entirely legal as landlords wanting references about tenants 

Best wishes to you all (landlord since 2000)

ry250

YBR said:

marcia_ said:

ry250 said:

Thank you for that, much appreciated. I did not respond to my LLs email about not wanting to renew past February 2026 and I think I may stay silent on it, that way it forces their hand and they may just assume I am complying. Is this a good strategy?

My end goal is to move out eventually but I want to do it on my terms. 

 You can do exactly that. Your tenancy becomes a rolling tenancy and they will have to go to court to get you out. 

While this is true in law, it's not always prudent. You may need future references, and it can be a horrid situation waiting to be evicted.

If your goal is to move out anyway I'd suggest you try to make plans to do so in Feb, knowing that it's not a disaster should that not work, and if you manage it sooner you can ask about an early exit.

Yes this is my thinking. I am to be out by date stated by LL and have it spick and span because 2 previous tenants have apparently had legal action taken against them for "damage", god knows who was right or wrong in that situation, but it shows they are not afraid or shy of legal proceedings if necessary. 

I do not want to be one of "them" people, whom look to eek out every last day in said property, potentially risking confrontation, awkwardness, having to change the locks etc, just to buy time, BUT If I cannot find somewhere suitable in time for 14th February 2026, I will be utilising the periodic tenancy option, until I find somewhere. 

Thing is, like mentioned, in regards the repairs, I do not know when's best to mention that. And also if I am to entertain moving sooner than 14th Feb 2026, and there is no break clause in contract (which there is not) then at what point do I query that with them. Just trying to time it right and be tactical with how I play it, what I say and when I say what I say is tricky