Ending contracts

[Pineapple288]

2 questions. I rent my BTL property through a letting agent. The current tenant has handed notice in. Am I right in saying I can now leave this letting agent?

Second question, the.reason I'm leaving the agent is because a very good friend of mine would like to rent he property. If she wants to rent the house I will not go through the agent. My friend attempted to give her notice on her current property. The estate agent she has used then called her to say that she was tied in until January! (She has rented this property for 5 years now). She must have signed a renewal stating this incredibly long notice period (her fault for not reading the small print) but she feels stuck in a property that is much too small for her (she now has 2 children).

[theartfullodger]

Depends on what the agreement you have between you and agent or the terms and conditions they sent you when you started the relationship. Sadly can't read it from here.

See what it says, if you can't find anything ask agent to provide copy of such terms you agreed to.....and how/where you agreed to them.

[DoricPixie]

2 questions. I rent my BTL property through a letting agent. The current tenant has handed notice in. Am I right in saying I can now leave this letting agent?

As Artful says, you'll need to read your contract with the letting agency to see how and when the contract can be terminated.

Second question, the.reason I'm leaving the agent is because a very good friend of mine would like to rent he property. If she wants to rent the house I will not go through the agent. My friend attempted to give her notice on her current property. The estate agent she has used then called her to say that she was tied in until January! (She has rented this property for 5 years now). She must have signed a renewal stating this incredibly long notice period (her fault for not reading the small print) but she feels stuck in a property that is much too small for her (she now has 2 children).

It seems more likely that your friend signed a new 12 month fixed term contract in January than the the tenancy agreement having an abnormally long notice period.

[ash72]

You should be able to leave the contract, if there isn't anyone living there and you don't want them to find another T, then they don't make any money. But read any contract you signed.

You should read the comments in this forum about renting to friends and family - just don't do it.

[DPT57]

As above, if you value the friendship, don't do it. Never let to friends and family.

[philrosenberg]

To add to the advice re friends and family, you might find that the terms of your mortgage or insurance prohibit it too. This is to presumably stop people getting interest only BTL mortgages to buy houses for their kids and such like.