Rental contract can you buy out and how much notice do you have to give

[annelmorgan]

I am hoping someone can help me, my daughter currently rents a 1 bedroom flat in St Ives, they have signed a 6 month contract which is only halfway through. They are having problems with their neighbors, they have complained to the landlord but they are not interested.

they have found a property they want and have been accepted, they went today to give a months notice, however, the property company have said they cannot do this they have to give notice until the end of the contract which does not end until the end of August this year. If they do this they will loose the other property which they really want.

Can the property company do this and hold them to the end of the contract period or can they give a months notice and leave, or can they buy themselves out of the remainder of the contract.

They are also refusing to give a reference until the end of the contract and the new rental company requires this

They seem to be being held to ransom and will end up in a never ending cycle

Thank you in advance for your help

[stevemLS]

Re: Rental contract can you buy out and how much notice do you have to give

I'm afraid essentially yes, the rental company can do that.

Security of tenure works both ways, neither the landlord nor the tenant can escape the provisions of an AST before the end of the initial term.

Of course, it is always possible to negotiate something outside the terms of the tenancy agreement but it doesn't sound like the company want to explore this possibility.

[paulajayne]

Re: Rental contract can you buy out and how much notice do you have to give

"They are having problems with their neighbours" Are these neighbours renting from the same company?

[annelmorgan]

Re: Rental contract can you buy out and how much notice do you have to give

Hi, yes I think they are, as the landlord owns the whole house

[annelmorgan]

Re: Rental contract can you buy out and how much notice do you have to give

Hi, thank you for your reply, the company act as a letting agent for the landlord, they have not even spoken with the property owner.
Do you know if it is possible to pay them out until the end of the contract as by myself and her dad would be willing to do this for her
Thank you

[paulajayne]

Re: Rental contract can you buy out and how much notice do you have to give

An expert may prove me wrong, but, you have a right to peace enjoyment and through the letting agents inaction their side of the contract may be broken.

[annelmorgan]

Re: Rental contract can you buy out and how much notice do you have to give

Excellent point, I will get her to read through the contract later today to see if there is anything we can use to that matter
Thank you again