UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello everyone. I have a 12-month tenancy contract for a room in progress (September 1st 2023-August 31st/2024). The property's located in England. Since I was unemployed at the start of the tenancy, I paid the rent in advance. In May, I moved out of the room and gave back the keys. Then, in mid-July, the landlord rented the room to a new tenant. I requested a partial rent refund, because the agreement me sole possession of the room. The landlord replied that by vacating the room without being asked to do so, I terminated my contract and forfeited my rights to a refund. Are they correct?

The landlord is half right, if you surrendered the tenancy and the landlordcaccepted it (which it looks like they did), you did terminate the contract.
But that means you are entitled to a refund, because rent isn't due after that.

The landlord can't receive double rent, full stop.

I'd suggest writing and asking for the return of the rent from whenever you moved out in May and confirm that if you don't receive it in 21 days (and give your bank details), you may take legal action to recover it.

And, then, in the meantime check out money claim online and sign up for it.