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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask leaving tenant to pay half of Tenancy Change fee?

22 replies

pippinthepost · 17/09/2018 16:27

Hello!

I’m after some of your thoughts.

I’m joining an existing houseshare, where one of the tenants is moving out and I’m filling his place.
The estate agents has informed me that we’re required to pay a £325 fee for change of names on the tenancy agreement.
I’ve asked the leaving tenant to pay half to make it fair, but he’s refused and said it’s not his fee to pay.

I know that ultimately it has to be paid and I will pay it by myself if it comes to it, but am I being unreasonable to have asked in the first place or do you agree with him?

Thanks for reading.

OP posts:

milienhaus · 17/09/2018 16:29

I would expect you to pay it - when you move in somewhere there are always going to be fees!

Travis1 · 17/09/2018 16:31

Do you mean he is getting out early and if you didn't take the room he would be liable for the rest of the tenancy?

Winterfellismyhome · 17/09/2018 16:31

How does it make it fair for him to pay half?

MyBambi · 17/09/2018 16:33

?Charging you to change the name of tenancy agreement??I have never heard of that...more like a deposit.....I don't think that guy should have to pay for that either.But as I said,never heard of people being charged to change the name..

lowtide · 17/09/2018 16:35

It’s common
He will have had to pay similar when he moved in. It’s all yours I’m afraid.

Otterseatpuffinsdontthey · 17/09/2018 16:35

You're going to live there.
Your name is going on the tenancy agreement.
Unsure why the vacating tenant would pay this, or any percentage of it

borlottibeans · 17/09/2018 16:42

If he's getting out of the tenancy early because you're moving in then he should contribute I think - as it's presumably cheaper than all the remaining rent he would otherwise owe.

Of course the real cheeky fuckers here are the agents - £325 to change a name on a piece of paper!!!

SpoonBlender · 17/09/2018 16:43

Christ - last tenancy name change I heard about was £90 and we thought that was stiff.

ThePants999 · 17/09/2018 16:46

You should pay it all now. The "fairness" will come when you move out, and the person who replaces you pays it all. It all works out in the end.

Original poster

pippinthepost · 17/09/2018 17:51

Yes, sorry if I didn’t make that clear.

So he’s vacating the property earlier than he expected, and needed to find a tenant for his room otherwise he’d have to pay the remainder of his rent.

The estate agent said that it’s usual for the vacating tenant & incoming tenant to split the fee in that situation, so that’s what’s made me ask in the first place.

OP posts:

Twotailed · 17/09/2018 17:57

He should definitely pay half since he’s benefitting from leaving the tenancy early

mostdays · 17/09/2018 17:59

I think you should pay, you're the one moving in.

Di11y · 17/09/2018 18:03

Have you signed contracts- if you tell him you're not moving in unless he pays half would that seem plausible?

Travis1 · 17/09/2018 18:23

If that’s the case I’d be tempted to say he pays half or you’re not taking the room and he’s liable for all the rent. He’s at it really because overall you’ve helped him out.

lowtide · 17/09/2018 20:05

Well he’s a bit of a dick then. You could just change your mind. But is it worth it at the end of the day.

LouHotel · 17/09/2018 20:09

I would call his bluff and say he pays half or your withdrawing from the houseshare.

Idontneedrescuing · 17/09/2018 20:09

Incoming tenant pays - I’ve done this a few times and it’s never the leaver. Presumably if you make it an ultimatum he’ll just get someone else instead? (I’m in London as it’s never that hard to end tenancy early and find someone to take a room so leaver in strong position mostly - not sure where you are but he won’t be too stuck I would think!)

Idontneedrescuing · 17/09/2018 20:09

And not as!

bettyblueeyes83 · 17/09/2018 20:32

As a leaving tenant (London) in this situation, I'd say his position not as strong as you might think. We've had two potential tenants pull out and I'm now desperate to get the new guy in! Was thinking I would split fee with him and existing housemates but luckily ours is being waived as contract up for renewal and they can just put him on new one. Your chap will likely have a fixed date at his new place (I do) and won't want to be paying rent twice if there's a delay in finding a new tenant he'll be in trouble. So I'd say it's worth it to ask.

Idontneedrescuing · 17/09/2018 20:40

True @bettyblue

Also worth a discussion with the agent? Fee seems excessive and sometimes a bit of challenge can make them vary it?

bettyblueeyes83 · 17/09/2018 20:56

I should say our fee is £180 which I thought was bad so your agents are giant CFs. How can it cost that much to have a member of staff change the word document and post new copies?

Glumglowworm · 17/09/2018 20:57

As he’s leaving early and would be liable for the rent if you weren’t taking his place, I think it should be split.

It’s totally different to a whole new tenancy where you’re starting from scratch so of course you pay the fee. He wanted or needed to move in the middle of his existing tenancy agreement. Without someone taking over his part of the tenancy, he would be liable for rent on two places or simply wouldn’t be able to move until the end of the existing tenancy agreement. I think it’s fair that he shares the financial penalty of that choice!

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