UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi all,

Our tenants gave one months notice in writing via our letting agent on the 20th January 2015.
I explained that this is mid-period (contract starts on 7th each month), so they must stay until the 6th of March; so that a full months periodic notice has been given.
The agency then asked if the tenants could stay longer into April.
I said that if the tenants make good the breaches in contract (i.e. they have put lots of fixtures on the wall, and shelves etc.) then I would allow them to stay another month. I said I would want evidence of this mid-February.
Mid-February came, and they did not complete all of the work (some safety critical, i.e. large cupboards could fall on them if not installed correctly).
I therefore said that the notice still stood at the 6th March.
I have 7 emails to the agency which refer to this, and they have never clarified or challenged it, other than twice to ask if the tenants can stay longer.

The agency are now telling me that the tenants chose to extend the notice period to the 6th April. Even though I never had this in writing, OR consented.
Legally, can they do this, considering that they actually gave me written notice on the 20th January.
This seems ludicrous, and defeats the point of giving notice. They suggest I give the tenants 2 months notice now, which makes no sense.

I would be grateful for any legal references to back up my position if I am indeed correct.

PLEASE HELP,
Best Wishes,
P

It's not a clean cut case as you agreed to extend which you are now going back on.

https://www.landlordforumproject.co.uk/landlord-advice-help/tenants-extending-notice-period/