Updating post from Reddit.

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TENANT
Posted by Dull-Perspective-90 3 weeks ago
Property manager pressuring me to decide if I'll stay or move out

I signed a tenancy agreement to live somewhere from July 1st till Dec 31st and while talking to the property manager when she was showing me the place she said I could let het know at least a month before the end of the agreement if I wished to extend my stay there but now she's already pressuring me to make up my mind. She sent an email on Oct 17th asking if I would like to stay on and when I replied I'm undecided she said she is now going to advertise the room to give me more time to decide and they'll "let me know" before accepting them. Is that even legal when I haven't said if I'll be moving out yet? It's so early too, I still have 2 months left on my tenancy agreement!

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Posted by TickityTickityBoom 3 weeks ago

She’s probably being pressured by the landlord for an answer. Just make up your mind and let her know.

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Posted by Dull-Perspective-90 3 weeks ago

Yeah the landlord will have to wait until I decide especially since he wants to increase the rent.

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Posted by TickityTickityBoom 3 weeks ago

Ummm they can’t increase the rent in the first 12 months (unless you sign a new tenancy) you don’t need to sign a new tenancy. My advice is say yes you’ll stay but will not sign a new tenancy agreement. Then she’s off your back, if you do want to leave, just give a months notice the day before your last rent payment date.

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Posted by Slipper1981 3 weeks ago

Op is only on a 6 month short term let that is ending in Dec. LL can increase rent for the new term if OP stays.

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Posted by Morris_Alanisette 3 weeks ago

That would be a great loop hole for landlords. Doesn't work that way though. The 6 month AST becomes a rolling tenancy after 6 months. Tenant is still in the first 12 months of the same contract. No rent increase (legally).

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Posted by Slipper1981 3 weeks ago

LL is proposing a new agreement. The rent can be anything as it’s a new contract.

If OP doesn’t take the new agreement then the current agreement becomes rolling and the LL will probably start eviction proceedings.

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Posted by Morris_Alanisette 3 weeks ago

Maybe so but the tenants will have another 6-8 months of the same rent to find somewhere else.

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Posted by Slipper1981 3 weeks ago

OP is in a 6 month tenancy. When it ends it ends and LL is free to propose a new price for a new term.

The 1 rent increase per 12 month rule applies only within a AST over 12 months or during the rolling term after a fixed period. It does not apply to new agreements.

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Posted by Dull-Perspective-90 3 weeks ago

Big IF btw. I've found a studio nearby for only £20 more per month (the property i'm in now is a house share and my 2 roomies go to bed at 6pm and 9pm).

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Posted by 2008equinn 3 weeks ago

Looks like you’re keen to move out so just tell them your intentions?

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Posted by TickityTickityBoom 3 weeks ago

The tenancy would go on periodic, he doesn’t need to sign a new agreement

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Posted by Special-Improvement4 3 weeks ago

The landlord doesn’t want an empty property and no rent…. So isn’t it fair enough to want to get a yes/ no and in light of indecision a contingency plan?

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Posted by Dull-Perspective-90 3 weeks ago

It'd be fair enough if they were pressuring me to decide and arranging viewings towards the end of November but it's still October! There's 2 more months until I would either move out or stay on and these tactics they are using don't make me want to give them any more money!

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Posted by Automatic_Sun_5554 3 weeks ago

Not really, they would need to give you 2 months notice so end of October is good timing from their part.

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Posted by chabybaloo 3 weeks ago

In less popular properties advertising 6 to 8 weeks (beforehand) is not uncommon.

If a person is moving from one town/city to another they probably know where to well in advance.

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Posted by DarkAngelAz 3 weeks ago

She can advertise the room all she wants. What she can’t do is be empowered by the landlord to issue a section 21 more than 2 months before the 12 month AST would have ended nor can you be compelled to leave until either you or a court decide

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Posted by Automatic_Sun_5554 3 weeks ago

They can issue a S21 after month 4 giving 2 months notice to expire at the end of the fixed term.

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Posted by EldestPort 3 weeks ago

They also can't force you to allow viewings while you're still in the tenancy period.

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Posted by Dull-Perspective-90 3 weeks ago

Thanks this stunt of hers is making my decision easier that's for sure

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Posted by DarkAngelAz 3 weeks ago

It’s important to remember that the agent is engaged by the the landlord but they always work in their own best interests and for her that will be the commission on you signing a new long term contract. Anything else requires more work for her for less money.

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Posted by Omegoon 3 weeks ago

What stunt? They just want their rental property occupied and you can't seem to make a mind if you are staying or not.

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Posted by Dull-Perspective-90 3 weeks ago

I don't negotiate with terrorists

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Posted by Justsomerandomguy35 3 weeks ago

I’m not sure what the problem is - agent/LL is simply asking for an indication and your only problem seems to be ur housemates go to bed early. After being there you should know whether you like the place or not enough to want to stay on - doesn’t sound like they’re pressuring you to move out. You assume there’ll be a rent increase, but why don’t you actually ask them what the rent will be….LL may keep the rent the same in any case given they don’t need to re-market the room. Worst that’ll happen is they’ll serve notice to evict and come New Year you’ve not signed up anywhere or have anything sorted.

Most other agents will ask for LL reference too so bear this in mind - if you say you’re leaving then just let them know. If your new place needs a LL reference your current LL is more like to help you, providing you’re not playing silly games with them: they won’t be bothered one way or another if you wish to leave, but will appreciate the certainty so they can take relevant action as needed

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Posted by Comfortable_Love7967 3 weeks ago

“Either evict me or stop harassing me please I won’t be allowing viewings”

You have every right to go onto a rolling contract, they shouldn’t be offering 6 month tenancy’s if they want security of tenure

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