Recent Feedback
I am a chinese student,I rent a house with other 3 chinese students September last year.But there are many questions about this house.first,the credit of the house is very bad,second,many furnitures are broken.Third,the rent is very expensive,it is twice as much as the houses around ours house.I paid 6 months rent,and the contract is 12 month.But I and another student want to leave this house now,and don't want to pay for the next 6 month.And leave the deposit to the landlord.I want to konw whether what I do is legal or illegal?
How far into the AST are you?
I am in the house for 6 month now,I am in the UK
Yes, we are in the UK law section.Is there a break clause in your contract? Probably at the 6 month point?
yes,the contract is 12 month ,but I don't want to live in this house for that long
If the tenant(s) wishes to leave the property prior to the expiry date of their tenancy agreement then itis their responsibility to find a suitable replacement tenant(s) to fulfil the period remaining on theirtenancy agreement, and the Landlord must agree to this replacement tenant. Until such a time thetenant(s) remains liable for the rent.Above is from the contract,I break this clause.
Thats bad news I'm afraid.This is an AST and you cannot leave for the reasons you mention lawfully.ASTs are very hard to escape. I was hoping there was a six month break clause but there is none.If you leave earlier than 12 months then he could sue you for the remaining months due under the contract but he won't do that. What he will do is keep your deposit and the law will allow him to do so.If there are disrepair issues then you can complain to Environmental Health. If that fails then you could complain to the landlord and if he fails to act and the repairs are central then you can have the work done yourself and deduct the sums from rent. You would have to show the repairs were essential though and that you had given the landlord reasonable time.Alternatively you can leave if you find a replacement in accordance with the contract.I'm sorry this isn't the answer you wanted but it is the position that you face and I have a duty to advise you truthfully.Hope this helps. Please press ACCEPT and then I will answer your follow up questions for free. Your question will not close but I will thereafter provide related information at no extra cost.
Experience: Bar Exams, over 5 years in practice.