Tenant been in 6 months...

[red_slr]

All is well. They are happy, we are happy.

What do we need to do now the 6 month agreement is up?

We used an agent to do the agreement - I just wanted to check before I go putting my foot in it with the agent?

Do we need to go back to them? New agreement? Nothing?

TIA!

[Vocal Minority]

An Assured Shorthold Tenancy (I assume this is what has been used) will automatically continue on a month to month basis - with a month's notice in writing for both you and them (double check it may be 2 months for you, I can't remember).

You could instruct an agent to set up another 6 month agreement, but they will charge for broadly nothing, and this may annoy your tenants. Also, even though they may not intend to move, they may not want the inflexibility of the 6 month thing after the first period has ended. Either way, the vast majority of rental properties don't hang about on the market, so the additional security is probably of negligible value.

Ultimately I'd say if you like the tenants and they like you there is no real reason to cheese them off for little or no benefit. Just let it roll month to month.

If you want something in writing an informal email checking they are happy to do that will make you look like a caring sharing sort

[david mcc]

usually the agreement will state that after 6 months it will continue on a monthly basis with either side able to vacate after giving sufficient notice. My own tenant must give me a months notice if he wishes to leave.

Check the paperwork and it should tell you the notice period

Cheers
D

[andy43]

If the tenant or you don't give notice it will continue as a periodic tenancy - worth checking what the agency put in the original agreement though, as they may wish to get their pound of tenancy renewal flesh every six months.

[andy43]

I type too slow! What they said ---^

[BoRED S2upid]

andy43 said:

If the tenant or you don't give notice it will continue as a periodic tenancy - worth checking what the agency put in the original agreement though, as they may wish to get their pound of tenancy renewal flesh every six months.

Which will ps off your tenants.

[red_slr]

If I just let it roll do they get any extra rights?

What if they are still there in 4 or 5 years?

I don't want them to have any extra costs with agents fees but I want to protect myself.

[Vocal Minority]

The tenancy is still valid as a tenancy. It's just rolling. They have the same rights now that they will have in 5 years.

[Wings]

Vocal Minority said:

The tenancy is still valid as a tenancy. It's just rolling. They have the same rights now that they will have in 5 years.

^^^^^agree, and the Deposit Protection Certificate will have to be up graded to cover the Periodic Tenancy Agreement.

[superlightr]

red_slr said:

If I just let it roll do they get any extra rights?

What if they are still there in 4 or 5 years?

I don't want them to have any extra costs with agents fees but I want to protect myself.

If you don't know anything about letting you should not be DIY ing - what could go wrong?

You use an agent to protect yourself, to ensure the legal paperwork is correct, to give the correct notices if you want the property back, to be on hand to answer your questions - its what a letting agent does. If you DIY and not pay their fees then you should ensure you understand the business you are doing and the paperwork that goes with it.

[Rangeroverover]

I am a letting agent, I hate agents who insist on charging every 6-12 months for a "new" tenancy agreement.

Just let the periodic tenancy continue, it sounds like you haven't asked the agent too many questions; find out if the deposit is actually lodged.

There are 2 schemes

1) you hold the money and just pay £20 to the deposit scheme
2) all deposit funds are actually lodged

[ATG]

BoRED S2upid said:

andy43 said:

If the tenant or you don't give notice it will continue as a periodic tenancy - worth checking what the agency put in the original agreement though, as they may wish to get their pound of tenancy renewal flesh every six months.

Which will ps off your tenants.

It certainly used to piss me off. Had an agent badgering both me and my landlord that we "had to renew the agreement". Took both of us repeatedly telling them to foxtrot before the message finally got through to them, and not before they tried misrepresenting our views by foolishly assuming we weren't talking to each other directly. The agents have to earn a crust, but creating pointless paperwork is not on. Charge what you need to charge for the useful services you provide. Don't piss everyone off in a feeble attempt to hide your fees. Rant. Crumble. Moan. Shiney suit wearing morons, etc ...

[GazV70R]

Message me if you need a decent, up to date, independently verified AST. We use it with all of our managed lets.

[superlightr]

GazV70R said:

Message me if you need a decent, up to date, independently verified AST. We use it with all of our managed lets.

Who prepares that for you or where did you get it from?

[Mark Benson]

Rangeroverover said:

I am a letting agent, I hate agents who insist on charging every 6-12 months for a "new" tenancy agreement.

The first agent we used for our properties did this, we only found out when some good tenants called to say they were going to hand in their notice and we had a chat about why, the 'recurring 6 month tenancy' was mentioned and when questioned they told my wife were being charged £300 every 6 months for a new agreement.

[mjb1]

As others have said, it automatically becomes rolling tenancy - 2 months notice on your part, 1 months on the tenant's. Only reason to have a new agreement is if both of you want a bit more security of them staying (presuming you're happy with them, you could offer a 12 month tenancy).