Cancelling tenancy before move in

[Indecisive98]

Hi I signed a lease a few weeks ago for a rental flat with rolling 28 day notice period. I have paid a security deposit for this. My circumstances have changed since and I am no longer sure I can move into the property. I am due to move in next week. What are the rights about this? Would I be liable for first months rent/ lose my deposit? Lease agreement doesn't say anything about this situation

Hi, somebody might come along with better advice, but if I was you, I’d contact the landlord and explain and offer to serve your 28 day notice now/today.

You may only be liable for the 21 or so days (28 days minus the week from now until the move date). You would also be liable for bills at the property during this time but would get the deposit back when the 28 days expire.

Alternatively the landlord may have another (2nd choice) tenant lined up, agree to mutually cancel the rental agreement, to allow them to sign the alternative tenant up. If the landlord can do this, you could offer to pay a token amount to cover their costs.

Good luck, hopefully you have an amenable landlord, and it isn’t too expensive a mistake.