Tenant wants out after 6 weeks - signed contract

[Bebs]

I have a 2 bed house let out to 2 people. One of them moved in 6 weeks ago and signed a 6 month contract.
He now wants to move out June 1st (3 months into the contract)
Do I keep his £500 deposit and let him out early on June 1st - or do I try to stick to my guns and insist on contract being binding?

Advice please gents.

Cheers

[Hugo a Gogo]

give him remaining rent after you have let it out again

[Bebs]

Hugo a Gogo said:

give him remaining rent after you have let it out again

The £500 deposit is 1 months rent. I doubt I'd be able to find someone to move in the day he moves out..
Thanks for the advice though Hugo.

[cs02rm0]

Give the tennant the choice?

[hondafanatic]

The reason for him moving out would make a difference to me to be honest.

Any idea why he's wanting out early?

[Bebs]

hondafanatic said:

The reason for him moving out would make a difference to me to be honest.

Any idea why he's wanting out early?

No idea I'm afraid.

[52classic]

Your problem here would be enforcement.

Yes he is in breach of contract and in those circumstances You'd be reasonable in keeping his 500 quid. However, the reality will probably be that you will have difficulty collecting next month's rent and it will be too late to try and evict him for non payment.

Shorthold tenants tend to be quite itinerant so if I were you I would let him know that you're not happy and just hope that he doesn't trash the place or run off with the furniture!

[Hugo a Gogo]

I mean get him to pay rent as normal for the final month, once he moves out, the deposit starts 'paying the rent' for the unlet place

if someone moves in within that month, say two weeks later, give him back two weeks worth of rent/deposit (assuming no damages etc)

if no one does, he doesn't get it back

that's the least he should pay

[Bebs]

Good points all, thanks.

I'm going to agree to him moving out on June 1st (3 months into contract) providing a new tenant is found by June 1st. If no tenant is found I'll keep all/part of his deposit until a new tenant is found.

I think that's fair for all?

[Bebs]

Hugo a Gogo said:

I mean get him to pay rent as normal for the final month, once he moves out, the deposit starts 'paying the rent' for the unlet place

if someone moves in within that month, say two weeks later, give him back two weeks worth of rent/deposit (assuming no damages etc)

if no one does, he doesn't get it back

that's the least he should pay

Spot on Hugo - that is how I will play it.
Thanks

[Soovy]

Bebs said:

Good points all, thanks.

I'm going to agree to him moving out on June 1st (3 months into contract) providing a new tenant is found by June 1st. If no tenant is found I'll keep all/part of his deposit until a new tenant is found.

I think that's fair for all?

100%

[anonymous-user]

Soovy said:

Bebs said:

Good points all, thanks.

I'm going to agree to him moving out on June 1st (3 months into contract) providing a new tenant is found by June 1st. If no tenant is found I'll keep all/part of his deposit until a new tenant is found.

I think that's fair for all?

100%

+1

[Bebs]

Thanks guys. Once again, PH comes to the rescue

[aberdeeneuan]

I'm half expecting a post tomorrow from a disgruntled tenant who wants out after 3 months and his landlord is withholding the rent till a new tenant is found ;-)

[JonRB]

You could offer to let him either sub-let or transfer the agreement for the remaining 3 months? ie. he finds another tenant for you (or you do) then everyone is happy.

[Bebs]

aberdeeneuan said:

I'm half expecting a post tomorrow from a disgruntled tenant who wants out after 3 months and his landlord is withholding the rent till a new tenant is found ;-)