Tenancy questions

[notsomanicnow]

We're in the process of selling our house and will need to move into rented until we buy a house. It's been a while since I rented so I could do with some information about tenancies.

I gather a 6-month shorthold tenancy would be the ideal for us, as we'd be committed to staying for 6 months (which is fine, we intend to pay upfront anyway) and thereafter, would go on to a rolling contract (with a month's notice).

If the letting agent/landlord won't let us have a 6 month tenancy (how likely is this?), I guess we would have to sign a 12 month tenancy, with a 6-month break clause. Can someone explain the timings and notice period for when we buy a house and want to leave - are the only two points we could leave the house at 6 months and at 12 months?

Thanks in advance!

Most LLs will give you a 6 month AST to begin with. Both sides need a 'get out clause' as quick as possible if it doesn't work out. Longer tenancies usually come after. Or when your 6 mth AST ends you go onto a rolling contract in which the same terms apply and the tenant has to give 1 mth notice and the LL has to give 2 mth notice to end the tenancy.

I can't see that you will have a problem getting a 6 mth AST. I don't use the longer tenancy so I'm not sure if you can end it early.

Many thanks a 6-month AST suits us fine so hope is what they will do.