Updating post from Reddit.
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You may as well TRY to let them find a new tenant. September is a long way away so if they find someone in a month that really helps you.
Then just feed to check credit, references, etc.
Thats what I would have loved to do but it costs an additional £350 + additional fees and the rent. Where I live is essentially a university city and the room itself is booked for September by someone else already. This is that awkward gap where all of the students have gone. It’s a risk.
My husband suggested to try and complain about the varying issues including our next door neighbours (property owned by same landlord) literally walking along the shared roof to pry into my room. In order, to get a month off the tenancy, but I just can’t see them agreeing to any of that.
Complain complain complain.
To landlord. To council To anyone who will listen
If the place is that bad it’s unfit and you need to get the relevant bodies involved. Landlord would be glad to see the back of you instead.
Deposit correctly protected?
Have you checked if your landlord has a HMO license. Caught one out once, he was letting it illegally, managed to leave without any issues 😄
Your fixed term is till September so you'll need to prepare to stay there till then.
Regarding the damp and silverfish have you reported to the council that your LL has not repaired it. Have you reported this to the agents and landlord. If you have and they haven't fixed it then the council can step in
You'll be surprised your LL may be very reasonable and mutually agree to end the tenancy at no charge for you. Happened to me in the past when I had financial troubles, although this was pre pandemic and one just after. Very different market now, demand is so high and solid references are important hence I'd never do it again and I now see out ASTs, but I advise you to consider this and be openly honest with them and transparent.
Thanks for mentioning the license, i’ll definitely look into it.
As for staying there, i’m more than happy to technically ‘keep’ the agreement on until September. However, it’s where because I am pregnant + varying reoccurring maintenance issues. I’d like to pay off the remaining rent owed and start a new separate tenancy.
The way I saw it was that, if I pay off everything, keep the room in good condition and be in-between properties perhaps they would consent. Not sure. What do you think?
Start a new tenancy? With who the same LL?
I wouldn't bother go elsewhere, soon it will all be rolling anyway once labour reform the sector.
the poor state of the gaff can be inspected by the councils environment department i believe and they can issue the landlord with a notice to repair or something like that.
I wouldn't pay for something you're not getting, either stay or arrange a voluntary termination which is legal but will cost you however if the LL is reasonable they may just end it with no charge.
The fact that haven't bothered to repair anything, is bad, silverfish alone is a bad situation and you need council assistance/intervention if this problem persists until June at the very least.
If the Flat is in poor condition (damp, silverfish, broken appliances, leaks, noise) and is an HMO. You could complain to the Local Council and ask for a HHSRS inspection, this will give the landlord a list of things to fix whilst you are tenant. They may be more inclined to let you leave early, to get the council off their backs.
Your plan to pay off the remaining rent is nice, however i'd do it month by month. You never know your luck and they could find someone else to move in. Though the issue with the clause that says 14 days is a bit of a pain - but whats worse the landlord can do, end your tenancy? thats what you want anyway.
Are you moving far away enough that you couldn't visit once a fortnight, which would comply with the T&C's?
If you uphold that detail, I'd just pay the rent as you currently do, as you said you can afford it, then give notice and end the contract as normal.
Don't pay them anything more than is necessary 'upfront' unless it's working to benefit you. The cash is better in your bank than theirs!
In the meantime, you could contact the authorities as others have said, and get the places checked to see if your tenancy can be voided. It's time consuming, stressful, and possibly all without benefit, so that last part is all a matter of whether you can be bothered.
1.) Staying within the same city - it’s doable to visit
2.) I’m just anxious that the new apartment may reject my application on the basis that without paying off the remaining rent upfront, that they would calculate my affordability including both amounts. Technically, we could afford it, but it may be undesirable to the new landlord. I guess I could broach the two options with my current landlord and see which one may appeal to them more?
3.) I’ll definitely look more into this
Thank you for everything
Worst case scenario, you pay your current LL the remaining rent, which clears your other liabilities for new LLs peace of mind. BUT in that scenario you will still be responsible for the old tenancy, the property is still up to you to honour the contract T&C's until the contract ends.
Another option, money depending, is offer the new LL a higher bond to show you're genuine, have the money, and are simply trying to do things the right way.
Best of luck 🤞
I mean, do you HAVE to visit? I know you said something about 14 days, but does somebody check this? If it's the landlord, would he give a damn if you're paying?
Personally I wouldn't be paying twice, those pennies could be going into your babies savings ISA. Highlight all the issues to the landlord, and press him on them. Give him a week or two to dither on it, then mention you might have to move because of it or get the local council involved. He might just give you an easy way out.
Property isn't vacant there are other tenants!
Can you partner pass an affordability test to start a new tenancy then add you afterwards?
A decent landlord would understand!
You've also got nothing to lose by advertising the room yourself you could always offer a little sweetener for the 6 months.
Also worth checking you don't have a 6 month break clause!