Nervous to approach landlord about ending tenancy early

[Abcdecat]

Hi

The short story is I’ve applied for a new job in a new city as my current job is awful and there is no alternative anywhere near. It would be. 4 hour drive each way so not commutable.

However, I have a lovely landlord, probably the best and nicest I’ve ever had. I’ve only lived here since September and have zero issues with the house. I just can’t stay in the job much longer, on saying that I will have 2-3 months here even if successful at interview

So anyway, I’m really nervous about approaching her regarding ending the tenancy early, there’s no break clause and it’s term runs until September.

I was planning on offering to cover the cost of advertising the place, to take photos. To basically find my replacement (covid safe).

Can anyone advise? I’m at the point where if I have to I will pay double rent and live in abject poverty if it means getting away from this job. If I worked extra shifts in my new job it would be doable.

Thanks

I wouldn't give notice until youve been offered a new job.

It sounds like you have agreed to pay rent until September?

Could you find someone to sublet?

You would need to see if they will agree to let you out early, but prepared that the answer may well be no. In which case moving city is basically not possible?

of course it is possible. You committed to pay, not to live there. The landlord cannot force you to do the latter. (it's hard enough to make the former happen if the tenant doesn't want to pay!)

there will be insurance issues for the landlord if the property is empty. So the approach is to contact the landlord once you have the job secured, explain the plan, make your offer and go from there.

landlord won't be happy due to extra expense but that's business. I say that as a landlord.

You will need to pay rent until she finds another tenant, there will be an official break clause somewhere, it's usually 2/3 months rent approx but only once a new tenant is found. Once you have a job offer, call your landlord and explain then send an email to make it official with your move out date, be helpful and say they can send new people to view straight away and that you are flexible with times. Hopefully they can find someone who wants it roughly when you move out but you are responsible for the rent until they start paying rent or September

We had a similar thing OP. DH was offered a job we couldn’t refuse so we spoke to her and told her she was a great landlord and we loved the house, etc etc but this was such a brilliant opportunity for us. We agreed if new tenant could be found, she was happy for us to ‘break the contract’ so to speak. New photos weren’t taken, we hadn’t been there long enough, and the agents did an open morning type of viewing so we could leave the house. Four people viewed and three wanted the house so we had no trouble leaving. Just agreed a date and that was that.

This was at the end of the first lockdown so we thought people might not be moving but it was snapped up instantly. Hope it works out for a you!

My tenant wanted to end tenancy 6months in but their contract was for a year. I told them if they could find a new tenant that would be fine and they could leave early, but they did sign a contract for a year. They ended up staying the full year. What I tend to do is the first year is under contract and then they are on monthly rolling thereafter.

Yeah, wait until the job is in the bag! I expect the LL will be open to ending early but you'll not know until you try

Don't talk to them before you have been offered the job and don't offer to do anything before you even know there is a problem. When you get the job offer, email the landlord explaining the situation and asking for their thoughts.

Ask for an early surrender. You will likely have to pay rent during empty time and costs incurred in reletting.