tombboy
26-09-2011, 09:32 AM
Just a quick introduction....
I rent my own property out (no problems there, tenant is very reliable) and as a result I live in rented property.
I have a sticky situation which I hope someone on here can answer for me.
In April this year our family relocated through work and we found a lovely privately rented property at a reasonable amount. After meeting with the Landlords we agreed an Assured Shorthold Tenancy and duly signed the agreement and moved in.
Everything about the property was lovely and we were very happy.
Just short of four months into the agreement I was offered a very lucrative work position which I would have been a fool to let go. This would mean relocating to another part of the country. The new company were willing to pay a generous relocation package which would allow us to honour the 6 month contract currently in place.
I accepted the position and wrote a letter to the landlords stating that with regret we would be moving our of the property in a few weeks but also stating that we would honour the remaining two months of the agreement (the last month's payment would be taken from the deposit leaving half a month's amount due to us), which we did. We left the property on very good terms and it was spotless!!
We wrote to them the other day requesting that the remaining deposit is returned to us at the end of September (end of lease), only to receive a reply saying that as we had not given them the required notice, they were not paying any monies due. They stated a couple of other petty reasons such as alterations made to the loft (we had laid loft boards in order to store boxes), and removal of a curtain rail (which we left in the property).
I have politely requested that they reconsider the matter before I take it further. I have also offered that I arrange for someone to visit the property (we are still under the term agreed), remove the loft boards and refit the curtain rail.
My solicitor pointed out that if they stated that not enough notice was given, I have every right to accept this, providing that they refund monies they received for August's rent. This would be more than the deposit that I am requesting.
Am I right in thinking that the landlords do not have a leg to stand on?
I rent my own property out (no problems there, tenant is very reliable) and as a result I live in rented property.
I have a sticky situation which I hope someone on here can answer for me.
In April this year our family relocated through work and we found a lovely privately rented property at a reasonable amount. After meeting with the Landlords we agreed an Assured Shorthold Tenancy and duly signed the agreement and moved in.
Everything about the property was lovely and we were very happy.
Just short of four months into the agreement I was offered a very lucrative work position which I would have been a fool to let go. This would mean relocating to another part of the country. The new company were willing to pay a generous relocation package which would allow us to honour the 6 month contract currently in place.
I accepted the position and wrote a letter to the landlords stating that with regret we would be moving our of the property in a few weeks but also stating that we would honour the remaining two months of the agreement (the last month's payment would be taken from the deposit leaving half a month's amount due to us), which we did. We left the property on very good terms and it was spotless!!
We wrote to them the other day requesting that the remaining deposit is returned to us at the end of September (end of lease), only to receive a reply saying that as we had not given them the required notice, they were not paying any monies due. They stated a couple of other petty reasons such as alterations made to the loft (we had laid loft boards in order to store boxes), and removal of a curtain rail (which we left in the property).
I have politely requested that they reconsider the matter before I take it further. I have also offered that I arrange for someone to visit the property (we are still under the term agreed), remove the loft boards and refit the curtain rail.
My solicitor pointed out that if they stated that not enough notice was given, I have every right to accept this, providing that they refund monies they received for August's rent. This would be more than the deposit that I am requesting.
Am I right in thinking that the landlords do not have a leg to stand on?