Renting house out - may need new tenants - best thing to do?
Discussion
I'm currently renting my house out for the first time, got two people in it on a six month Assured Shorthold Tenancy from 1st November which runs out on 1st April. There is one contract between us with both of their names on it and the total rent per month - they each pay me half the amount on 1st of the month.
One tenant has contacted me to say she wants to stay on until July and then go off and move in with her bf. The other tenant would like to stay on but cannot afford all the rent on his own.
What's the correct way to carry on with an AST after the end date? Is there a new contract needed or does it roll or what?
As for the moving stuff, I've said I will look into it but my view was if the guy hadn't found another house mate by beginning of June I'd need to give him a months notice as I can't have him in the house on his own only paying half the rent. Is that the right course of action?
I'm thinking I probably need to get a proper agency involved this time - this first go at renting was easy because they are mates so I didn't need to do background checks and they have been great in terms of looking after the place and so on, but from July I will potentially have "strangers" in the house so need to get proper background checks and probably a middle man so that I'm not phoned at 3 in the morning if a pipe bursts.
Any thoughts/advice appreciated.
One tenant has contacted me to say she wants to stay on until July and then go off and move in with her bf. The other tenant would like to stay on but cannot afford all the rent on his own.
What's the correct way to carry on with an AST after the end date? Is there a new contract needed or does it roll or what?
As for the moving stuff, I've said I will look into it but my view was if the guy hadn't found another house mate by beginning of June I'd need to give him a months notice as I can't have him in the house on his own only paying half the rent. Is that the right course of action?
I'm thinking I probably need to get a proper agency involved this time - this first go at renting was easy because they are mates so I didn't need to do background checks and they have been great in terms of looking after the place and so on, but from July I will potentially have "strangers" in the house so need to get proper background checks and probably a middle man so that I'm not phoned at 3 in the morning if a pipe bursts.
Any thoughts/advice appreciated.
Not your problem. They have rented the house between them under one AST so they have to work it out themselves.
They are both jointly and severally liable for the rent so if one moves out he is still responsible for the rent unless you chose to relieve him of this obligation (don't do this!).
They need to sort it out and give you notice if that is what they decide. They can't just say they'll pay you less rent and that the shortfall is your problem.
Leave 'em to it but make sure you checking the rent payments each month.
They are both jointly and severally liable for the rent so if one moves out he is still responsible for the rent unless you chose to relieve him of this obligation (don't do this!).
They need to sort it out and give you notice if that is what they decide. They can't just say they'll pay you less rent and that the shortfall is your problem.
Leave 'em to it but make sure you checking the rent payments each month.
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