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unfair landlord

Started by Mycha, February 16, 2023, 08:40:45 PM

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Mycha

Hi

I was a tenant for 12 years for a private Landlord via agancy Martin and Co. Our last renewal was on November 2022 for another 6months. But cirumstances changed and we asked Landlord if we can finish our tenancy earlier. He agreed but said we need pay rent until he will find new tenants. Our finish date was 31.01.23 We agreed an Agent will come on 3rd of January 2023 to the property to take pictures to put property on the market to let. Agent had own keys to do that. They put property on the market. Some viewings were  made. An agent book a  key return and end of tenancy raport check on 31.01.23 at 4pm. I was on time at the property, but no one from agency came. I called them said i cant wait and will put keys to letter box. I emailed them as well same. After one day agency replied that they are sorry and that they did raport check on 3rd of January , but they didnt say a word before. They said as well that they removed property from the market two weeks ago, no one said the word to me. Viewings were made without asking us if they can acces property. Agent said that some works need to be done before they can put it on the market. Before i  gave keys back nobody said that something need to be done. Agent all the time saying we need to pay rent. We feel with my family cheated by agency and landlord. During all those 12 years of tenancy Landlord didnt do any works, we asked for new carpets  but he never changed it. Nothing was done ever. Every rutine check by  agency  was everything fine for them. It looks that landlord want to do renovation for our money and i do not think he will look soon for new tenants. What are our rights?

I have all emails from Agency. Now Lndlord doasnt want relese deposit until May 2023. But our tenancy finished 31.01.2023

jpkeates

If the agent or the landlord have agreed that the tenancy has ended, they can no longer charge rent for the property and the deposit should be returned.
If they haven't accepted your posting the keys back as ending the tenancy, the tenancy continues. It should probably end when the six months renewal does, but it's worth checking what the actual agreement says will happen at the end.

When you agree a six month tenancy it's binding on the landlord (who can only end it early with your agreement or a court order) and the tenant (who can only end it with the landlord's agreement).

So the key is what was agreed by the agent/landlord about the return of the keys and what it meant to the tenancy.
My concern is that the tenancy hasn't ended.

heavykarma

I think this is very mean behaviour on the part of the landlord.If a tenant has paid rent and caused no problems for 12 years I would not be holding them to the letter of the law.I am inclined to say be prepared to forego the deposit,and stop paying the rent. I doubt if they will pursue the matter,and I assume you do not now need a reference.I would write to the agents and tell them that this is not what you agreed to.The landlord must have known that any property will need work doing after a 12 year tenancy ends.