Getting out of a 6 month lease

[nickliv]

Hi

I'm renting a flat, signed for the period 2.2.07 to 2.8.07. Thing is, I think I'm probably going to have to move back home sometime next week. (I may have outlived my usefulness for my employer on the south coast) Will I get away with giving a months notice, or will I have to pay the rent for the remainder of the tenancy (£2550)

Any ideas anyone?

Cheers.

Nick

ps on the upside, I may be able to get leave for LM this year....Whether Mrs Liv lets me go is another matter.

[TobyAnscombe]

Depends on the lease....

If it is a standard assured shorthold tenancy and you have had it for more than 6 months then it will normally default to a rolling one month notice period.

If you are in the first 6 months of an shorthold tenancy then you are probably stuffed!

One thing that you might have is that if the landlord can find someone else then you are not liable for the full amount; only the duration until they find someone.

HTH

[nickliv]

I'm in the first 6 months. Bugger.

Still, if I expect the worst, any improvement is good news.

[TobyAnscombe]

Indeedie; if its a private landlord then they might be a bit more reasonable.

If it looks like you are going to be stuck with full whack start looking around for tennants yourself!

[Lorry]

Do check the paperwork.  There may be a break clause.  Otherwise beg and find another tenant.

[lynxd67]

I have two flats let in the UK and the standard tenancy agreement is a fixed one to start with, whether it be a six month or one year agreement . This protects both the landlord and tenant in that I can't ask them to leave and if they want to leave they are liable for the rent agreed and signed for. After the tenancy expires there are several options but I'm afraid they don't apply and so you are stuck here. On the bright side did you lease the flat from the owner direct or from an agency? Agencies protect their relationship with the owner and pursue you - I know because I've just had copy correspondence over a bad tenant. If direct take the best approach and speak to him immediately - you'll be surprised how understanding people can be if the postions is explained to them properly. As I was fond of saying at work, the only problem with the ostrich wasn't that it got its arse kicked but that it had no idea who did it.