Paid rent deposit and month up front but never took flat

[robbocop33]

Paid a deposit and a month rent up front(about 800 quid) , but due to mitigating circumstances never took the flat or indeed spent one night in it, have i lost the deposit etc? Thanks.

[Mandat]

robbocop33 said:

Paid a deposit and a month rent up front(about 800 quid) , but due to mitigating circumstances never took the flat or indeed spent one night in it, have i lost the deposit etc? Thanks.

How long is the tenancy agreement for?

You might find yourself on the hook for the future rent for the length of the term, unless there are early release provisions that you can utilise.

[hutchst]

Have you formally informed the landlord, to enable him to re-let the property? You might be liable for his losses until he finds a replacement tenant, so the sooner he does that, the better for you.

[surveyor]

What mitigating circumstances?
Yours of the landlord/property?

[Alucidnation]

What did the landlord/letting agency say when you contacted them?

[sidekickdmr]

If you signed the contract not only have you lost your deposit and first months rent, you should be liable for the following 6/12 months rent too.

Unless he can rent it out in that time, then you would only be liable till he does.

[andye30m3]

You haven't lost your deposit but if you've signed the contract you are responsible for the rent for the minimum term of the contract.

I would expect any decent landlord would limit this to the time that it's empty until he can find an alternative tenant but realistically this is likely to be at least as much as the deposit, and a lot more if it takes a while to find a replacement tenant.

[Slagathore]

Deposit is completely separate from rent, and should have been protected by the agent/landlord. I think within 2 weeks of you paying it to them.

You're liable for the rent for the term of the contract you signed.

Your best bet is to ask the landlord for a mutual termination of the contract and say you have no intention of moving in. That gives him a clear property and a month to find new tenants, which should be easy.

He might be out of pocket for letting agent fees, so he may ask for them as well.

[hutchst]

It's 30 days

[alistair1234]

robbocop33 said:

Paid a deposit and a month rent up front(about 800 quid) , but due to mitigating circumstances never took the flat or indeed spent one night in it, have i lost the deposit etc? Thanks.

Did you sign the contract and take possession of the keys?