Landlord asking for check-out inventory fee upon changing tenants

Tenant Discussion
1

Hi!

I’ve been renting a flat together with a flatmate through an OpenRent AST since 2021 and we have been on the rolling period of that contact for years. I recently decided to move in with my girlfriend and gave my one month notice.

My flatmate wants to keep living there and will find someone to replace me. While he’s searching a replacement, the landlord will issue a new contract for him that does not include me. However, the landlord is now asking me to pay £75 for a check-out report. This is what the landlord sent me:

There will be 75+VAT charge to you for the inventory check out report as this would not be otherwise needed if the tenancy was continuous.

It’s my understanding this fee is not legal under the Tenant Fees Act: “You cannot be charged fees for inspections or inventories”. At most, I could be charged a tenancy swap fee of £50.

I wanted to confirm this fee is indeed not legal and was hoping someone here could provide me more insights. Thanks a lot!

2

You are correct.

Also, they cant charge you £50, as you are not changing the agreement. If you have given notice to end it instead, then the new contract with the other tenant it nothing to do with you, and you are not liable.

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