Landlord wants to renew tenancy 3 months early

[Springchick2021]

I am currently living in rented accommodation on a two year tenancy. It is due to expire beginning of July. My landlord has emailed today asking about renewal - 3 months early. AIBU three months early to renew is a bit too early or is this standard?

He has already asked 6 months before the end of the tenancy and I said then it was too early and I would do it in May when my work arrangements are confirmed e.g if I will work at home full time etc for the foreseeable future.

I’ve not rented before and I’m on an AST if that helps.

Depends on the notice on your tenancy agreement. Its often 2 months and so landlord or letting agents would ask about 3 months before renewal due, so they know whether they are looking for a new tenant, or reviewing the rent on renewal. Its a bit early to issue a new contract ,certainly wouldn't be looking to sign anythng until the actual date.

You don't have to renew at all. If you don't it goes onto a statutory or contractual periodic tenancy (depending on what your current agreement says) which means both you and the landlord can end it at relatively short notice. However if the landlord wishes to force you out they still need to go through a fairly time-consuming eviction process.

(And no, the landlord can't just whack the rent up to force you out, there are some restrictions on that too.)

So only renew if you want to commit to another year, 2 years, whatever.

Ours normally approaches us about a month before it ends. If you aren't sure if you want to stay then don't sign anything too soon. Just leave it until the last month. Or you could ask for a break clause to be added so that you don't have to stay the full term, if you aren't sure.

Theyll be wondering if you are wanting to renew or do they need to find new tenants. If they need new tenants they will need advance notice to sort out, hence asking about renewal now. Landlord won’t want the place empty for weeks or months between tenants.

I might just say I’ll get back to him in mid May early June to agree a renewal.

My only thought is that I might only want it for a year as I’m expecting a financial settlement in May. I could do a two year renewal with break clauses at 6, 12 and 18 months - what do you think ?

The landlord is unlikely to agree to a break clause every six months! I certainly wouldn't. There's no stability for him in that. Plus he'll still be coming back to you three months before to find out if you're going to use it.

Landlord won’t want the place empty for weeks or months between tenants.

The risk of being a landlord. OP wouldn't have to allow any viewings while still living there so even if they knew they were moving out there might still be an empty period. That's not OP's problem.

It really depends what your tenancy agreement says.

I e always been asked months before. It's always been assumed that they might get new tenants in if you don't renew it. They also don't have to renew it 🤷‍♀️🤷‍♀️