Ending a tenancy agreement early

[craig r]

Hi All,

Right, here's the story...

I signed up for a 12 month tenancy agreement at the end of April 2010, now however I need to move out as work has taken me to a different part of the country. The letting agent has told me that I can not move out of my current place until the end of April, I would like to leave at the end of January. They did say that *if* the landlord was happy to do so I could be released from my contract early by paying the agents fees to relist the house and they could find a suitable occupant. I can see why this is fair, but over £600+VAT seems to be a bit expensive.

And just to make things a bit worse I have already paid a holding deposit on the place I want to move into...I know I should have done things the other way around! Anyway, I will be getting in contact with the CAB / Shelter when I finish work, but I was hoping someone on here might know something that will ease my mind / confirm my fears sooner.

~ Craig

[craig r]

That's what I was afraid of.

Cheers.

~ Craig

[craig r]

I am aware I am in the wrong, and I can see it from the LL's point of view. I'm just going to have to put it down to experience and get on with it.

~ Craig

[craig r]

Du1point8 said:

I do like these threads....

'I broke my contract, but I still want my cake and to eat it and the LL is being unreasonable asking for the rest of the contract and for me to get a new tennant....'

There is no way out, unless you talk with the LL/Agents, other than that you are stuck to your contract... Stop paying and you will be up st creek from a legal standpoint.

This goes the same if the LL has broken the contract, so dont think its all pro LL or pro Tennent.

I don't think he's being unreasonable, as I said before I completely understand the LL's view point, I also understand the concept of a contract and I am aware I am breaking that contract, it is not about me 'having my cake and eating it' I was merely asking if there could be a way of easily ending the contract a few months early. Also as posted before, there is a way out, I'm just going to have to pay for it, and it was this cost that I was surprised with.

Obviously I will speak to my landlord about it and see if we can meet somewhere in the middle, but I won't be holding my breath.

~ Craig

[craig r]

jammiedodger26 said:

IME, quite a few 12 month tenancy agreements have a 6 month break clause...have you checked yours?

Not yet, but I will once I get home.

~ Craig

[craig r]

Wings said:

the Op should seek to work with LA in finding a new tenant, for in the event of any legal action, courts will look favourably on the party in the dispute who has acted with reasonableness.

I'm hoping it won't get to that stage, but I will of course do all I can to help find a new tenant.

aruck said:

£600 sounds a bit excessive. I am have a propery I let and I get charged just over £200 each time I need to arrange for re-advertising.

Apparently it's my monthly rent x % of my rent + VAT, but I thought it was a bit steep.

~ Craig

[craig r]

garyhun said:

craig r said:

Apparently it's my monthly rent x % of my rent + VAT, but I thought it was a bit steep.

Sounds like BS to me (the LA's, not yours)

Costs need to be reasonable, not extortionate.

I just read that back and it's not what I meant, it's actually % of my rent + VAT. I still think it's on the expensive side.

~ Craig

[craig r]

I have been a good tenant. I always pay my rent in full and on time, the place is always kept in a good state of order, and I even decorated one of the bedrooms for him as I didn't really think lime green and bright yellow wallpaper was doing the place any favours - of course I had his permission to do this.

I don't want to rip off the guy, all I want to do is move out 3 months sooner than I'm supposed to be with as much ease and as little financial impact to both the LL and myself. I don't care about the LA's because they are condescending, smarmy, arse holes - not because of the situation I have put myself in, just generally.

I have written to my LL explaining the situation and now I'm just waiting for a reply.

~ Craig