Hi
I’ve been rent a property for a year. I paid a deposit, plus a year upfront, but also three guarantors.
My tenancy is about to be renewed and 4 weeks ago I was asked how I’d pay, I said monthly, the agent said I’d need all of my guarantors again, as that won’t be possible as one had moved abroad, and one who’s circumstances have changed!
The agent then said if I paid 6 months in advance I wouldn’t require the guarantors again, so I said I’d have to do that… amounting to £7,500!
Today (2 days before my tenancy renewal) the agent asked if I managed to get my guarantors to sign?!! No!
It wasn’t what was agreed and now I’m so stressed out…
I’ve got one guarantor who’s signed
I would have thought if you had stayed in the property for over 6 months or more and paid your way with no issues then landlord or what not can see your good for it. I hope you get it sorted. I no its stressful finding a new home, but if we’re good for it it’s the landlord or what nots loss.
What does your tenancy agreement say about payment and what happens when the fixed term expires?
IIWY, I’d ask agent for LL’s contact details (they must provide them by law) and try to confirm the LL’s intentions. I’m wondering if it’s the agent who is pressuring you into paying a stack of cash up front and then is paying the LL monthly from that while they keep the interest.
I’d also add that requiring more than one guarantor is contradictory. The very purpose of a guarantor is to guarantee. If they can’t do that, then they’re not a guarantor. You only need one.
It sounds very much to me as if the agent is the issue here, and if not, then the LL is being unreasonable and a written exchange with them (polite and civil) is worthwhile.
By the way, if you stay after the end of your term, it will go periodic and they’ll be committed to monthly payments. The only real downside for you is that they can give you 2 months’ notice via Section 21 at any point from that time (assuming this is England).
… the last tenancy says monthly rent to be paid on 21st of each month to the sum of £1,200
I noticed on the new tenancy it’s gone up £50 which isn’t so bad. Above the signature is has a **special circumstances paying a year rent in advance
They can’t ask you to leave without giving you at least two months’ notice so don’t panic… yet. And even then you don’t have to leave…
If you’ve got an agreement that says pay every month, honour that and point it out to the agent. If they complain, ask them for the LLs contact details and say you want to discuss it with the LL.
I’d try to speak to the landlord directly and as suggested, ask if the tenancy can just go periodic. The benefits of that are that the landlord won’t have to pay the agent a fee for renewal, the terms of the tenancy remain the same and your guarantors are still on the hook without re-signing.
A quick question if you don’t mind as you seem quite clued up, my tenancy agreement ran out in September last year, I told my landlord he said not to worry it’s on going, is that the same as periotic? Cause as I’ve mentioned before I’m not brains of Britain though I do get my rent paid by universal credit housing element, they have a copy of my tenancy agreement so would no my tenancy agreement ran out , but they continue to pay my rent each month so I gather it’s all good. Just asking to keep myself In the no.
Even if he did want me to move, it would not be a problem as social housing would be easier to get, if I have to move out not by my own doing.
Thanks David
Agent is trying to secure fees, they charge landlords for contract renewals. A rolling contract would be the best solution, the agent won’t like this so you will most likely have a battle. Can you contact the landlord to get them to agree to this?
They wanted three guarantors? This seems excessive, is the rent high in relation to income?
Thank you so much… your advice is amazing!
My parents are due over from Australia mid May until the beginning of July, I was trying to google notice timelines so my parents weren’t here and on the streets with me (that wouldn’t happen)
I do have my landlords email address as the forwarded on an email from him, so I was going to ping him in on the email to explain how unfair and stressful this whole process has been
I’ve already signed my new tenancy though it does start until 21st March, in 2 days… but they haven’t signed it as yet.
I will be paying the money on the day, but not if they aren’t prepared to sign due to the other two guarantors not signing
No… I can pay no problem… but I’ve only been in this job 9 months… but I’m able to pay £7,500 in a months notice from them, so they can see I’m earning enough to pay each month!
my partner and I separated, hence why I initially paid a year upfront!
I wouldn’t put it that way so much as simply stating what you’ll be doing from now on i.e. paying monthly as per the terms of the tenancy agreement and thank the LL for understanding.
Others will be able to inform you as to what happens if no one else signs the new tenancy agreement before the 21st, but I would have thought that if they do not, then the current tenancy will continue and go periodic.
Yes, that’s probably what your landlord means. When an initial term or fixed term expires, a periodic tenancy on the same terms kicks-in, usually with a monthly frequency. The terms will be the same except for notice. It means you or the landlord can serve notice if you need to.
Joseph, I think you may find that even if you were evicted & it wasn’t your fault, getting social housing would be VERY difficult. Most councils have very limited houses available & as a single male (just a guess) you would be a long way down the priority list!
