My present tenants lease expires on 5 March. They hv requested a rolling contract on a monthly basis with 2 months notice period. They hv also stated that they shall leave sometime this year. This is a family home , with good schools in the area. So far, I’ve had families with children.
I’ve responded by offering 3 or 6 month fixed term contract. Hence good for relet around school start. I fear that my property will not be let in winter n i cannot afford to lose income (i hv just one property n my main sourceof income). Tentants don’t want a fixed term.I believe my tenant is being unreasonable, win win situation for him
I let my property thru an estate agent but i manage it. I’m not sure how to progress.
Also, who is responsible for negotiating with the tentants?
When you say ‘lease’ I assume you mean a standard AST.
Tenants looking to move do not want to be tied to a property because they never know when suitable alternative accommodation will become available. Seen from their point of view, you are being unreasonable because they have been up front with you about needing flexibility. It’s likely not their fault they aren’t homeowners like you.
You can offer a fixed term contract of any duration, but you have to ask yourself what benefit it would be to you to enforce this when your tenants have already stated that they will leave sometime this year.
If you have an agent on a fully managed contract, you are delegating negotiation to them as that’s what you’re paying for. They follow your instructions though so always make sure they’re keeping you in the loop on any communication and only doing what you instruct.
Thank you. I understand. My main concern is that if they leave in November, December, i may not able to let it during this period. I’ll lose income.
I’m trying to accommodate their flexibility, but is it unreasonable if I’m concerned about possibly staying vacant 
n losing rent.
Is it easy to let in winter? I’ve no idea. I’m going by what my agent tells me.
I’ve noticed hardly any variation in demand regardless of time of the year, but clearly demand will differ by geographical area, so anyone’s opinion or experience of this, might not be the same as where your property is located.
With the introduction of the RRB in a few months, fixed term contracts will be abolished anyway, and all contracts will become rolling. So if ‘rolling contracts’ do not fit with your business model, you need to re-evaluate your business model.
I don’t think it is unreasonable for a tenant in this situation to ask for a periodic tenancy. If you force them into a fixed term, potentially you force them abandoning the property mid term and the complications that brings with it.
I would have thought it better to have an amicable termination for them and you as a landlord. If you ask them to keep you upto dated on there move that will give you plenty of opportunity to prepare and reduce void period.
Unreasonable maybe not, but unworkable definitely. If you truly want to be a LL you have to be more flexible. None of us can predict when we’ll have a void at any time. Your tenants might die, burn the house down, do a runner… loads of things can happen we can’t predict but we can mitigate for.
If you can’t cope with voids at any time of year, your margins are too tight and you need to sort that. I budget for 3 months of voids across 5 properties each year. Never ever used it all in nearly 30 years of renting. That means I’ve built up a good capacity to take a major void if I need to.
Thank you all. Much appreciated. I hv always rented in the past to sharers n had rolling contract. Never had problems. Never had all the sharers leaving in one go. But after refurb, advancing age😅 etc, decided to use an agent n family only.
I’ve given it a thought and have taken on board all your comments. I’ve good relationship with my tenants n we have now an agreement in place.
This was my first post. I’ve learnt a lot. I shall stay informed in future from this forum.
Thank you.
Its far better for you as a landlord to have a periodic tenancy than a fixed term, so I would instruct the agent accordingly.
Thank you, have done so now after reading all the comments. I told the tentants last night.
I can see that this thread has concluded. I’ll still just add my own experience. In my last rented house (now own) I didn’t want to be tied down to a year. The landlord wanted a year’s extension. We compromised on six months. When the six month extension ended, they wanted another one but I simply said no. And, they accepted it.
As a general comment, going onto a rolling contract is something I would consider entirely normal.
I wasn’t unhappy with rolling contract as such, my only worry was that if they leave in middle of winter, I may lose my income if I’m not able to let. So offered 3 to 6 months , that will take them till end September 25. They said they are leaving this year . I only started renting out 10yrs ago n things have bn v good. I’ve no complaints. Msgs here were clear and sharp.
I know I’ve to accept loss of income now and then.
Msgs here from other LLs have helped me see things from different perspective. I was being petty, I 
You would need time to sort the house out anyway
I agree that the winter is less busy but there is usually good turnover in January
TBH I have found other platforms bring in more clients , where normally I would be empty .
I did have a rolling contract, and left in January. The property was advertised, there were many viewings, and someone moved in a couple of weeks after I moved out.
May i ask what other platforms are? Tks
Re doing up the house after each tenancy end, yes, I usually keep 2 weeks b4 taking on next tenant. Always something to do
I am always in favour of periodic tenancy. My tenants just left with a month notice and now looking for tenant and demand is low compared to spring/summer. Usually you get insurance claims this time of the year (i.e. temporary accommodation). But it is what it is and even during the “best time” of the year I kept property empty for three months although there were plenty of applicants to get the right people in. It worries me more to have “bad” tenants then having empty property. I made rush decisions in the past and I regret. If you have good relationship with your tenants hold on to it and work with them. A bad tenant can cause your property to be empty for long time even during “best time” of the year! Obviously your financial situation needs to be added to this complex equation. I wish you best of luck and good quick tennats 
Since you let the property through an estate agent but manage it yourself, the agent should ideally be handling negotiations on your behalf—that’s part of what you’re paying them for. However, since you’re closely involved, it’s worth having a direct conversation with them to align on a strategy. You can let them know your concerns and preferences so they can negotiate terms that better protect your interests. If your tenants are insisting to have a rolling contract, you might consider offering a compromise—such as a shorter fixed term (e.g., 3 months) with an option to extend At the end of the day, it’s your property and your livelihood, so it’s important to stand firm on what you need while trying to find a middle ground that works for both parties. If they’re not willing to compromise, it might be worth starting to explore other potential tenants who are looking for more stability.
When I have a tenant for over a year and asked for periodic with 2 months notice period then I would agree but say not give notice during Nov/Dec time because of winter time/for my travelling holiday time. Tenants do understand too.
Thank you, yes, I’ve done exactly this. I can but try!