Help with an AST and moving to a periodic tennancy

Adam

Adam

Adam

Soldato
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
9,232
I'm currently renting having signed a 6 month agreement. Let's say that 6 months comes to an end on February 9th. My assumption (and agreement with the letting agent) was that we would then move on to a monthly periodic tennancy.

The landlord has heard through a 3rd party we are planning to give notice and move out as our house will be ready at the end of February. Today we received a call from the letting agent telling us we have 2 options:

- Vacate the property on the 9th February
- Sign another 6 or 12 month agreement (we had to push hard to get a 6 month contract as we knew the house had been vacant)

My partner called back and asked if we could commit to another month, we would be flexible on viewings and be out on the 10th March. They said fine as long as we sign another month contract (no fees involved). However, there would be no further extensions.

I can't help but think we are being misled by the agent and landlord who want us to leave so they can get someone else in on a 6/12 month contract. Surely unless we are served notice (I believe this is 2 months) we automatically roll on to the periodic monthly tenancy therefore we just proceed as normal with our intent to give 1 months notice as per the agreement?

Things are complicated as my house purchase is 98% of the way there but we hit some complications which has delayed exchanging (no fault of my own). I can see a scenario where the house could fall through (I have a nasty feeling it still could) and we have to find a new home come the 9th March.

Any thoughts?
 
Yes unless you sign something you roll onto a STA monthly.
Yes of course they want someone in on a long term contract.
Just sign up for another month however I'd explain it's a waste of everyone's time and money
 
Lovely, cheers. Our PDF contract had a section 21 notice bundled at the end (which is blank) and it says it we have to be given 2 months notice. Clowns.
 
So now we find that section 21 was served when we signed the contracted, renting is a huge pain I could do without.
 
My partner has agreed to a 1 month extension as I am working away and don't have time to research this further. Now it's a huge gamble if we exchange next week, either way we will be finding a new home come 9th March whether this to be a new house or a new rental :(
 
Strictly speaking you could leave the day before the lease runs out without giving any notice.
Effectively you gave notice 6 months ago when you signed the original lease that the contract would expire on the 9th of Feb. Unless you let the lease overrun into a periodic tenancy then the one months notice is merely a courtesy to the landlord.

Also, how exactly did your partner agree to another month? If both your names are on the lease, I don't see how she could have done so without you agreeing as well.
They can't force you to sign a new six month contract, and they need to give you 2 months notice to end the lease themselves.
 
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