Housemates want to leave after 4 Months of a 12 Month Contract

[Princess Zelda]

Hi,

I'm new here, so sorry if this is a bit confusing...

Basically, at the end of September i signed a contract with two friends to move into a flat. The contract is a full 12 month contract with no break clause.

T A was made redundant earlier this month, therefore wishes to move home and rent out their room (illegally sublet)

T B is has the option to live with relatives close by, and therefore wishes to sublet the room.

Both A and B only want to rent out the rooms for 6 months - to save money - and then return to the property. I see this as too high a risk if done illegally (Slightly different if just one left)

What are my options?

Do i allow the to illegally sublet their rooms for the 6 month period - and live with Random people?

Can the names for their two rooms on the lease be changed? (obviously their is a fee involved) but at least everything is legal and above-board.

Can we change all names on the tenancy agreement?

Can we end the tenancy agreement? (Again a fee involved, which i would argue i should not pay as it is not my decision to be ending this lease)

Please Help!!

[jeffrey]

Analysis:
1. All three of you signed a single joint-names AST, granted by L to you/A/B.
2. Each of A and B wants to sub-let (to AX and BX, let's say).
3. I imagine that they have not consulted L!
4. You are staying-on.
5. Even if they unlawfully sub-let, they (A and B) remain your co-tenants, jointly liable- with you- to pay whole existing rent to L.
6. You/A/B cannot change the Letting Agreement (e.g. to delete A, insert AX, delete B, and insert BX), unless L agrees; nor can any of you- alone or all together- end it during an existing fixed-term.
7. Please state commencement and length of existing fixed term.

[rajeshk4u]

Also, if you find someone some other people, you have no guarantee that they will look after the place as your friends did.....

[LandlordLee]

Best thing to do is contact the landlord and see what he says. he might be ok with it and leave you to find suitable subletters short term

[Princess Zelda]

Will definitely have to contact the landlord, although this is through our property managment agency - so no doubt will take a while.

I have a feeling he will not be too happy though - the tenants before us left 2 months before the end of their 12 month contract and he was trying to get the extra rent off of them.

I understand that once you sign for 12 months you are obliged to pay the full 12 months rent - even if you choose to terminate the contract earlier? Is this the case?

For Jeffery: We started the tenancy at the end of septemper 2008, and the terms are 12 months no break clause.

Thanks for your help!

[jeffrey]

I understand that once you sign for 12 months you are obliged to pay the full 12 months rent - even if you choose to terminate the contract earlier? Is this the case?

For JeffREy: We started the tenancy at the end of septemper 2008, and the terms are 12 months no break clause.
Yes, you are bound for 12 months once you sign a 12-month let- of course! The only exception is if it ends early.

The reason for my question about the fixed term is that it is possible to terminate a tenancy at the term's end or thereafter.