Updating post from Reddit.
Hoping to get some advice from landlords and this is a throwaway account.
Hi all, I’m looking for advice as I’m in a pretty stressful situation. I’m a tenant in London with a fixed-term tenancy until January 2026. I’ve recently accepted a job in New York and need to leave the flat in mid-June.
I approached my landlord to explain the situation and asked if we could find a replacement tenant to take over the lease. She said she’d be happy to consider new tenants after trying to sell the flat first for two months. That made things harder for us, but we still managed to find prospective tenants who were interested.
The problem is: • She insisted on marketing the flat herself but listed it at £200–£300 above comparable local flats. We pay £2200 and she wants £2759 • Refused to the lower the price when I got second opinion that the rental was worth 2400 to 2450 per month • Was very slow in responding to prospective tenants, • Insisted on a 2-year fixed term with no break clause, which scared off the only serious applicants we had.
I asked to then use an agency to speed things up, which she gave the thumbs up to, provided I cover all costs, which I agreed to. When I tried contacting her asking if she could provide consent on email she started saying she had health issues and the stress of this flat wasn't helping.
We’ve now lost the most suitable tenants due to her terms and pricing — despite doing everything we could to help. I even offered her £2,500 as a goodwill payment to help with any transition cost, but she hasn’t accepted.
At this point I’ve told her we’re vacating on 13 June. The flat will be empty, but I was trying to make sure she didn’t suffer a loss — and instead she’s made it almost impossible to re-let. Asking landlords here on how to tackle this. Should I just reject the job offer and call it quits? I've never seen a landlord be this inflexible before, especially when I've offered money.
You are technically liable up until the end of your tenancy but a common principle in civil proceedings is that the person claiming money has to have taken steps to minimise their losses. It seems likely that if things are as you say, and you have written evidence of that, this would quite significantly limit your liability if she pursued it.
Given they're messing you about a bit, have you checked that your deposit has been adequately protected?
She did as we have the confirmation letter.
She is not allowed to accept the goodwill payment you are offering for surrender. That is the crux of your difficulty. Blame the legislators.
Really? Is that a law?
Yup pretty much. Completely stuffs people up who would otherwise have been able to make mutually beneficial arrangements.
You're liable until the end of your term, she doesn't have to let you find a new tenant.
When she wanted to sell your flat, did she serve you with a section 21? People usually try to sell with vacant possession
If yes, you can leave without notice.
She didn’t, just put it on the market.
Your interest is finding a quick replacement tenant. The landlord's interest is securing a good quality long-term tenant.
These factors conflict, so your pain points are understandable. However, the landlord doesn't even have to accept an early surrender and a replacement tenant; everything they are doing now is simply a "nice thing to do."
The landlord can't really accept your offer; it's prohibited, plus it's not in their interest.
This is all changing soon, but not before your end date, unfortunately.
All you can do is to be as accommodating as possible with your landlord, get them to view the property, and hope someone takes on the property.
Go to New York and Airbnb it until the end of your contract, lol. Maybe sublet to friend or family on the short term. You don’t have to actually do this but if she thinks you will then she might work a little harder to find a tenant.
She can only evict you and that will take longer than the contract so she won’t or can’t. Just leave the property in good order, make sure the rent is paid so no harm, no foul! just a bent rule or two.
She can’t put it on the market if it’s in a fixed term, do you have a break clause? Would be useful to see your agreement
No break clause. I’m in month 18 of a 24 month contract. Stupid from me I know!
Not stupid, you can’t control that. Is there mention of surrender on the contract?
I mean I was stupid for signing a contract without a break clause.
At least these are going to be abolished early next year, all tenancies are becoming periodic. Doesn’t help now, but if you come back you won’t have to worry about the same issue.
I didn’t know this! Thank you ❤️