UK Landlord Forum / Life

I've recently marketed a property, had a prospective tenant accept,  pay a holding deposit, then full deposit and months' rent only for them to have a change of heart following a weeks occupancy.  They have been very vague about their reasons for cancelling.

During the process of agreeing the offer I provided them with a copy of the short hold tenancy though they never got round to signing.

They now want to leave the property and have the deposit and rent returned less the holding deposit. I don't believe they are entitled to anything. Can anyone help with what my rights are? 

I spent over six weeks of my time with viewings and could have accepted an offer from another party so have wasted alot of time, I also spent money advertising the property on gumtree, Rightmove/Zoopla with Upad.

Personally I would charge them for the time they have occupied the premises, you could insist they give one months notice but they could refuse and without a signed AST I don't think you'd stand much chance of enforcing it.

I'd return their deposit less the holding deposit, less any damage if any after a week.

Next time ensure you sign the AST on handing over keys and receiving deposit/first month rent.

The cost of advertising is part of being a landlord - deduct it from your tax bill and start again.

The time you have spent again I would put down to a bad choice and hope the next tenant you accept stays longer.

Always amazes me how quickly people change their minds/move, I put it down to my suspicious mind...moving and changing address etc isn't a two second job for me.

Speak to them.

Give your other people a ring and ask if they have found somewhere.

Try and get as much from the tenants as is fair.

They've had a row, and don't want to live together anymore because she wouldn't do "that".....

You didn't get the form signed, you will pay a bit for that, don't do it again.........