Property Exit Strategy

We have been asked by our current landlady to vacate by the 17th of January (two months notice, ending at the end of our rent period - as stated in the act)  however, they have asked us nicely if we could vacate by the end of November.  We have told them we could be out of the house completely by the 5th December and they responded that we should pay them a full month's rent.  The rental period is 18th of the month to the 17th of the month. 

Because they have asked us to vacate earlier, is it appropriate for us to ask for a reduction in the rent?  (tenancy will be 18 days of the month rather than regular 30).  As well, they haven't registered our damage deposit so I am afraid that they will retain the full amount of our deposit without giving us an itemised list of damages.

What would be the appropriate course of action in this case?  We have had some problems with the landlord (i.e. no ingoing inspection, not repairing things when they have broken or need maintenance when we have informed them, being asked to vacate the house on two weeks notice, etc..) The landlord is private and therefore we are not dealing with an agent.   Also, her husband is an unscrupulous SOB and I'm sure he'll try and soak us for everything he possibly can.  I have stalled on paying our rent until we come to some sort of agreement because I want to be sure that we will see some of our deposit back. 

I'm just not sure how we should proceed with the exit of this property.  I just want to be done with them.    Any advice would be appreciated!

Sounds a bit dodgy to me. Can you give the citizens advice bureau a ring and see what they have to say?

I would certainly ask for a reduction in rent. Actually, I probably wouldn't even ask. I'd just send a cheque for 18 days' worth of rent saying exactly what it was for.

I would certainly ask for a reduction in rent. Actually, I probably wouldn't even ask. I'd just send a cheque for 18 days' worth of rent saying exactly what it was for.

Yep, especially if you're not counting on getting your deposit back!  That's ridiculous.  Otherwise I would not 'vacate' until 17th December and pay the whole month.

Yep, especially if you're not counting on getting your deposit back!  That's ridiculous.  Otherwise I would not 'vacate' until 17th December and pay the whole month.

What she said!  I wouldn't pay them for a full month if they are asking you to vacate early. 

hiya

Sorry to hear of this little predicament but

1. Like Pebbles has said - get down to the Citizens Advice Beureau and speak to the lawyers there to get a better picture of where you stand.

2. Speak to local solicitors/lawyers and get them to look over the contract itself.

3. As you are on speaking terms with the landlord(s) ask them to provide in writing all of what 'they want and are asking for'

4. cross reference what the landlords say/want with the information you get from the CAB and the solicitors/lawyers you may be talking to.

5. Write/speak back to the landlord(s) and say you'd like to reach an amicable agreement based on the knowledge you now have.

6. If they are unreasonable, speak to the CAB & Solicitors first before doing the tempting thing of holding back rent as then that gives them ammunition against you.

7. If it's all too much or not possible to 'fight' etc - then just move out by 17th January, contact Niku 2 for some bags of dog poop (I can also assist with this from my doggy!) and let the landlords know exactly what you think of them etc..!!

8. Find a new place, get a rock solid contract and continue with a probable smoother life of renting!

Hope this helps! Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!

2. Speak to local solicitors/lawyers and get them to look over the contract itself.

3. As you are on speaking terms with the landlord(s) ask them to provide in writing all of what 'they want and are asking for'

4. cross reference what the landlords say/want with the information you get from the CAB and the solicitors/lawyers you may be talking to.

5. Write/speak back to the landlord(s) and say you'd like to reach an amicable agreement based on the knowledge you now have.

We have done this and had a solicitor interpret the contract (very, very basic contract) and we practically had to bang them over the head with the law to get them to give us proper notice to vacate. 

6. If they are unreasonable, speak to the CAB & Solicitors first before doing the tempting thing of holding back rent as then that gives them ammunition against you.

That is a good point and it looks as though the bank went ahead and paid out our rent anyway, even though I stopped it. 

It is just her husband is a horrible, horrible, shifty, unscrupulous *insert extreme vulgar word here* I loathe the man.  She is really nice but totally acquiesces to her husband.  She owns the house, not him.  Our contract is with her but he is a lazy no-good SOB who just wants the money. 

7. If it's all too much or not possible to 'fight' etc - then just move out by 17th January, contact Niku 2 for some bags of dog poop (I can also assist with this from my doggy!) and let the landlords know exactly what you think of them etc..!!

8. Find a new place, get a rock solid contract and continue with a probable smoother life of renting!

We have our own doggy who is a great producer!!! 

We have a new place with a great agent (small independent agent) and the house is immaculate.   

I'm just not looking forward to the battle that is going to ensue. 


Hope this helps! Cheers, DtM! West London & Slough UK!