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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Do I pay double rent?

44 replies

DontCheetoTheCheetah · 31/05/2024 07:23

Need to decide by tomorrow, help!

I houseshare with a friend and she wants to leave end of June, as planned.
I've had a crazy few months at work and am supposed to be moving to Scotland with partner. I can't decide whether to leave with friend end of next month or pay all the rent myself so I can stay and chill for the month of July.
Reasons against: it will be an EXTRA £1000 for all her share of rent and bills which I can afford but is damn expensive
Reasons for: gives me an extra month to get organised, I've been really stressed lately, I live somewhere where the summer is brilliant (think Cornwall)

WWYD?
YANBU=Pay up and stick around for July
YABU=Leave next month

OP posts:
GoingtoChichester · 31/05/2024 07:25

Can you even just leave next month - don't you need to give notice?

susey · 31/05/2024 07:27

Not enough information - when does your tenancy end? How long will you be paying the full rent (double rent as you call it). It sounds like you will be both be liable until the tenancy ends?

Original poster
DontCheetoTheCheetah · 31/05/2024 07:28

@susey
We have to give one month's notice, so it's either give it tomorrow and we both leave on 1 July or give it on 1 July and I continue paying full rent myself until 1 August

OP posts:
Original poster
DontCheetoTheCheetah · 31/05/2024 07:29

It seems like a crazy amount to spend just to "chill" but on the other hand I don't plan on taking a summer holiday

OP posts:
reallyworriedjobhunter · 31/05/2024 07:30

You've got a whole month to get organised. JFDI.

£1000 is a very expensive way to chill in a rented flat that you plan to leave anyway. You could have an amazing holiday with that money.

EnterFunnyNameHere · 31/05/2024 07:31

DontCheetoTheCheetah · 31/05/2024 07:29

It seems like a crazy amount to spend just to "chill" but on the other hand I don't plan on taking a summer holiday

But it's a very cheap month long holiday I guess!

Will you be working throughout? As in, will you actually be able to enjoy it as much as you think?

And what's the alternative? Where would you go if you don't stay there?

midgetastic · 31/05/2024 07:34

How much would it cost to live anywhere else for a month ?

If it's a simple move to boyfriends and then move again I'd probably save the money as there are always additional costs when you move somewhere new - it's hassle but I'd just pack most stuff up and live out of one case for the month

MadeForThis · 31/05/2024 07:36

Move. Think of it as having a month to settle in.

EatTheGnome · 31/05/2024 07:37

If i didnt have a pressing need to stay I'd give notice now. Personally I couldn't relax knowing I had a big move coming up, it would feel like kicking the can down the road.

Plus i would want to save or spend £1000 on something else. But of you have friends and want to stay and are moving and won't see them then it could be fun.

Houseplanter · 31/05/2024 07:40

I'm wondering why you're not eager to move and be with partner..

(Slight tangent I know)

Cyclingforcake · 31/05/2024 07:41

Stay. A weeks holiday could easily cost you £1000. You’ll have a bit of space and time to get organised and say goodbye to friends before moving. And can enjoy the summer.

Original poster
DontCheetoTheCheetah · 31/05/2024 07:41

I wouldn't be moving to boyfriends, we are looking for a place together so that does add an extra layer of hassle.

It is a lot of money and it is kicking the can down the road... On the other hand I could have done with a month of swimming in sea, election night, plus have a commitment on 12th July.

Hmmm. It's so annoying you can't just give a month's notice at any point rather than it be rigidly eg 1st to 1st.

OP posts:
Itsdefinitelytimeforanamechange · 31/05/2024 07:42

I would both leave at the same time. As it’s a house share I guess you’ve got to have an end of tenancy clean, finalise bills etc and I would rather do that at the same time and together than have that responsibility on my own

Cheeesus · 31/05/2024 07:44

Is your partner flexible and are there any cost implications at that end? I mean will you be saving or losing money by moving sooner or later (is your rent in Scotland going to be more or less).

seafronty · 31/05/2024 07:45

Think Cornwall.

Everythingiscalmfornow · 31/05/2024 07:47

Personally I feel if you have been having a stressful time lately you should take this extra month to relax a bit and take your time over preparing your move.
You are going to be uprooting your life and moving is a very stressful thing. So if you have the opportunity to do it in as relaxed a fashion as possible then the extra money paid out will be well worth it. Especially as you aren't intending to take a holiday otherwise.

BettyBardMacDonald · 31/05/2024 07:50

I'd take the extra month and head into your new life relaxed and organized v rushed and stressed.

ACynicalDad · 31/05/2024 07:50

Can you stick the room on Airbnb for a week? Contract May but allow it though.

MakeItRain · 31/05/2024 07:51

I would pay the extra 500. Think of it as renting a holiday house in a good resort for 125 a week! Unheard of! Enjoy your extra month chilling by the sea. 😎

MakeItRain · 31/05/2024 07:52

Oh sorry it's an extra £1000! Still good value for a month by the sea!

fieldsofbutterflies · 31/05/2024 07:52

I would go when your friend does so you're not stuck with all the end of tenancy cleans etc.

kitchenhelprequired · 31/05/2024 07:53

Is your friend happy to remain in the tenancy for the extra month with you covering all costs? It's a liability they may not want. If you stay on then what will happen re cleaning & check out. I wouldn't want to be responsible for a property I was named on the tenancy agreement for but no longer living in but also wouldn't want to be the one left to deal with everything at the end.

Cheepcheepcheep · 31/05/2024 07:57

Itsdefinitelytimeforanamechange · 31/05/2024 07:42

I would both leave at the same time. As it’s a house share I guess you’ve got to have an end of tenancy clean, finalise bills etc and I would rather do that at the same time and together than have that responsibility on my own

This, we had similar when DH moved in with me (his housemate left a few weeks before) and logistically it was a real pain in the arse.

PilingOnTheAgony · 31/05/2024 08:01

As a Scot, my advice is don't go from Cornwall (or similar) to Scotland in July! Stay where you are and enjoy the sunshine/warmth for a bit. Plus all the good points you made about time to chill, get organised etc. Treat the extra £1k as part of your moving costs. Enjoy your new life (from August onwards) in the best wee country in the world.

Bjorkdidit · 31/05/2024 08:06

If someone offered you a month's holiday rental in 'Cornwall' in summer for £1000, with the added advantage that a magic wand would be waved to do all the packing and unpacking and you'd also have all your own stuff there, you'd take it wouldn't you?

Going away is unlikely to cost less. Where are you going to get travel and accommodation for a month for £1k?

Stay an extra month and, as well as doing some prep for the move, treat it as a holiday. Relax as much as possible, but also get out and visit nearby places of interest every day, even if it's just a walk. Go out to eat, swim in the sea, read, that sort of thing.

If allowed by the tenancy, see if you can do a house swap for a week or two if you do want to go away or put the flat on airbnb, but otherwise just treat it as a holiday.