UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hi all,
I have a tenant who is an absolute great tenant on a short hold tenancy agreement until Nov.
A third party is saying he should move out to another property, won't go into details as it's personal.
Can a landlord refuse a tenants termination of contract as there is no reason for him to move out.
It's a wired situation.

cheers

How long have they been there?

Have you spoken to the tenant rather than the mysterious 3rd party?

Quote from: Shackowner on March 04, 2024, 06:31:18 PMCan a landlord refuse a tenants termination of contract as there is no reason for him to move out.

No, of course not.

Quote from: Riptide on March 04, 2024, 11:13:28 PMHow long have they been there?

Have you spoken to the tenant rather than the mysterious 3rd party?

Not yet, but I just want to know can a landlord not accept a termination of contract. Sounds a stupid question.

Obviously you cannot prevent him moving out whenever he chooses.  Do you mean can you refuse to cancel the contract, and insist that he pays the rent until November?  I think that you can still do that legally, not sure any more.

A couple of times I had tenants who paid until I relet,  and also covered the costs of setting up a new tenancy if they had only been there a short time. In reality if they just go you can claim the deposit,  then put it down to experience.  You can refuse to provide a reference.

A chat with the tenant would be the obvious first step.   

Quote from: Shackowner on March 05, 2024, 09:44:35 AMNot yet, but I just want to know can a landlord not accept a termination of contract. Sounds a stupid question.

To be clear, you don't have to accept early termination of a contract, but you can't refuse to accept normal notice from a tenant.

Quote from: heavykarma on March 05, 2024, 10:07:37 AMObviously you cannot prevent him moving out whenever he chooses.  Do you mean can you refuse to cancel the contract, and insist that he pays the rent until November?  I think that you can still do that legally, not sure any more.

If there's a fixed term until November, yes you can still do that.

As it's no longer really possible to do any kind of a deal beyond covering actual costs, there's not much incentive for a landlord to agree to an early termination at all. Other than, as you say, trying to keep things sensible when faced with reality.

I know I can't hold him hostage 😂.
And i would refuse to cancel the contract and ask him to pay until Nov.if I can

 link=msg=37702 date=1709633257]
Obviously you cannot prevent him moving out whenever he chooses.  Do you mean can you refuse to cancel the contract, and insist that he pays the rent until November?  I think that you can still do that legally, not sure any more.

A couple of times I had tenants who paid until I relet,  and also covered the costs of setting up a new tenancy if they had only been there a short time. In reality if they just go you can claim the deposit,  then put it down to experience.  You can refuse to provide a reference.

A chat with the tenant would be the obvious first step.   
[/quote]

In my view, its never a good idea to try to force a tenant to remain when they want to leave. A good tenant can easily turn "bad" or at least uncooperative and don't forget you're leaving him in charge of you £x00,000 asset. If you can't persuade him to stay willingly, I'd just let him go, paying rent until you find another tenant.