6 month tenancy - help

[ListenToYourHeart]

Myself and dp are currently on benefits as we have a DD who is 2 and DP recently lost he's job. Because he lost he's job we moved out of our home into my mums untill we could find a cheap flat to rent as HB didn't cover the rent of our house.

We have now found a cheap flat to rent however the LL will only give us a six month contract with six months rent upfront, we have found the six months rent upfront thanks to FIL however I don't know much about 6 month tenancies and was wondering are they the "norm" when your on HB?

Also does that mean the rent will be increased on a 6 month basis rather than yearly? Still quite new to renting so any advice will be great!

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

6 month contracts are common, and usually carry on after 6 months, on a rolling contract. But each contract will be different, make sure you understand what you're signing.

[Pickgo]

Yes standard short term tenancy agreement is 6 months. If LL wants you out standard notice is 2 months - so potentially 4 months in he could give you notice that he won't renew the tenancy.

READ the tenancy agreement 2-3 times to make sure you've taken in all the small print.

Hope your DH finds a new job soon.

[ChocolateMama]

Hi, I am a landlord. I usually put a six month break clause in a contract. This is so that I have the option - if the tenants is not a good tenant or they do not pay the rent - to give them notice. With a 12 month contract, if the tenants do not pay the rent then to get them to vacate the property could potentially be a nightmare and very expensive through the courts. However, I have never had to do this and have generally always had good tenants. Most contracts are standard with same clauses etc. After six months, as Pickgo says, the tenancy usually just continues on a rolling basis. I actually would not worry too much about a six month contract at all, probably just your landlord being cautious. As long as you pay, you can probably stay. Hope this helps.

Also, really hope your DH gets a job very soon too.

[LIZS]

A 6 month initial term is the the norm for an AST regardless of your situation. It does give the ll the option to renegotiate terms including rent after 6 months but does not mean it is necessarily the case.

[thisoldgirl]

As others have said, it's completely standard practice to give a new tenant only a 6 month tenancy. The LL doesn't know you, and therefore they don't know if you're going to be a difficult tenant.

It's in your interests too, especially if you've paid the 6 months in advance. (Which is again standard, I'm afraid, in instances like this). If they don't do repairs promptly, or if they breach access restrictions, you'll know they can't be trusted and you need to find a new LL who can. Also, if your circumstances change dramatically and you can afford a bigger place again, you're not tied in to this place. If the rent does increase, you've got the opportunity to move to a cheaper place (though I realise this is not much of a consolation if you're looking for stability).

After 16 weeks or so (if your LL is a good one, and organised), they'll discuss renewing the AST on its current terms, or agree to just carry on as before - so the tenancy then becomes a periodic tenancy, and you're not restricted to a fixed term. From that point onwards, your LL must give you two calendar months' notice served on a rent day; you need give only one month's notice. Again, probably in your interests if your circumstances are liable to change.

One thing - if you're planning on paying for subsequent tenancies with housing benefit, you must make sure that the benefit cap amount at your local tenancy will be enough to fund your entire rent. If you get into arrears, (even if you later repay them) it becomes almost impossible to rent in the private sector again. Apply for HB straightaway - the process takes a while, and money can't be backdated.

Good luck with it all and get straight back on here if you experience problems as a newbie tenant - there are loads of experienced LLs on this forum who are willing to help.

[thisoldgirl]

benefit cap amount at your local council not tenancy.

[nocake]

Some landlords will try to get you to sign another contract when you reach the end of the 6 months but you don't need to. If nothing is signed your contract automatically becomes a statutory periodic tenancy - basically a rolling tenancy.

[ListenToYourHeart]

Thank you all so much for your help!

I feel quite reassured now, will ensure I read the tenancy very carefully, and hopefully no problems arise and we end up in our new place for a while as we need stability for our DD.

Thanks for the heads up on the rolling tenancy info, I wasn't aware of that I thought that may only count for a yearly tenancy.

My main worry is that after six months the LL will want to put the rent up as at the moment we will be paying a £25 short fall a month as the HB is slightly lower than the rent, we don't mind paying the extra £25 as the flat is worth it and we haven't found anywhere cheaper however if the LL wanted to put it up in six months we would have to move all Over again as we really couldn't afford it.

Thanks to everyone who has said they hope my DP finds another job soon! Fingers crossed he does as I know it isn't easy getting a job in these times.

[Pickgo]

I'm pretty sure that rent can only be increased annually.... but can't remember where I got that from.

Anyone else know for certain?

[RCheshire]

No, it can be increased when the 6 month AST ends, by announcing the new rent at 4 month contract renewal time.

Once you're on a rolling contract I'm not sure how quickly rent can be raised - two months notice would seem logical as per notice to vacate - but I don't know.

[cestlavielife]

be a very good tenant and hopfeully the LL will want to keep you at same rent.
i have had same rent from ll for 4.5 years... i think i am a good tenant !

eg callign when things go drastically wrong (eg floor fell in! so not letting things fester) but not calling to get a light bulb changed etc.

[ListenToYourHeart]

Thank you, I had an idea that the LL could put it up at the end of the contract, I guess all I can do is hope they don't wait to raise the rent or that my DP has found a job in the 6 months

Cestlavielife thank you, I do plan to keep the place nice as we want it to be our home for at least 2 years if possible, we will do repairs ourself if possible and will bear in mine to only contact the LL for the important things.

Again thank you all