Breaking tenancy early- does this sound reasonable?

[Ldnnursexx]

First time dealing with this type of situation so genuinely looking for advice as to whether this sounds fair.
Currently in a rental flat, plan was always to buy but this has been sped up by getting pregnant sooner than expected and a change of jobs (new house much closer), it’s looking like completion is going to be within the next 2 weeks.
We are in a fixed- term rental until 17th November, I have asked the estate agents if we can break the tenancy 2 months early to which they spoke to the landlord who has said he will agree to us being released from the tenancy 2 months early under a deed of surrender; the conditions are that we pay a re letting fee of £840, and we are responsible for all rent and bills until new tenants are found and in place.

Does this sound fair for ending the tenancy just 2 months early, or am I being silly agreeing to it, and should I just pay rent until the end of the tenancy. My worry of course is that they won’t find new tenants until say, late october ect, then we will have paid more in re-letting fees than we will save in rent!

Hope this makes sense.

I would just pay the rent for two months. There shouldn't be much by way of bills once you have left, make sure your council tax is changed!

As you say how do you know he won’t claim more

How much is the rent? What is the market like locally. It does sound like you could get shafted with reletting fee plus have to pay rent anyway? I think it’d depend on what kind of agents they’d been in the past, proactive and helpful, with a hot rental market probsbly worth paying the fee. If not then zi think you’d be better just to suck it up.

Sounds cheaper just to give notice and pay your normal rent and bills until you actually move out

How much is two months rent?

I would say your only happy to cover bills until you surrender the keys.

2 months rent will be £2400. It’s a new building with a gym ect so hoping it will be snapped up! Just not sure it’s worth the risk of wasting money :/

Are there other flats up for rent in the building?
That may affect how quickly it relets (if at all)

there’s a few, but apparently they have restricted views and are on the fifth floor.. whereas ours is the first floor and has better views; estate agent reckons this will help ours get snapped up.

I'd keep the flat and pay the rent. You can move at leisure and maybe decorate etc before you move in. Then I'd probably have friends to stay in flat with minimal furniture etc.
I'd also try to delay completion a little to minimize double costs... Basically just make the whole thing relaxed rather than a stress.

i feel like i’ve been trying everything to not delay completion for months! don’t even know where i would start!

Ha yes, typical! Even 1 week will make a difference to your double costs tho. You can just be honest and explain and ask what the latest date everyone is happy with will be?

Ive always had at least a month overlap, not always lived in the UK. Most places dont do it like here, complete and move same day. Its mental and v stressful imo.

Ask the sellers, we sold an empty flat and our buyers asked to delay by one month, it was no big additional cost for us so we said yes

It doesn't really matter if it's fair, it's their T&C's and you can take it or leave it (and pay the rent instead ). It is a very common clause in any tenancy though.

I would also recommend paying the rent, particularly if you have work to do on your property. It's so much easier to get the floors, painting etc done without furniture in!

The only warning though, which I wasn't aware until recently, is to check your council policy for second home. Apparently although the council taxes premium was meant for home owner, you can get charged the premium as a tenant as well if you end up with one unoccupied property.

This sounds more logical.
How much is your rent? If he doesn't re let the place, you could end up owning more than your rent etc