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LEAVING OR UNABLE TO TAKE UP RESIDENCE AFTER SIGNING THE CONTRACT
Responsibility for Rent (1st July to 28th June of the Following Year)
If you have signed a contract, you are responsible for rent for the entire duration of the contract (normally 1st July to 28th June the following year).
Jointly and Severally Liable
You have a joint contract, so this means you are all jointly and or individually legally responsible to pay any rent. In the unlikely event a tenant does not pay we first approach the tenant in question then the guarantor (who are only liable for the person they are acting as guarantor for). In the unlikely event neither child nor parent pays, all tenants are jointly responsible as per the contract.
Find a Substitute Tenant
If you do not want to pay for your room for the remainder of your tenancy you must find a substitute tenant. This person will move into your room and pay the rent on your behalf. It is your responsibility to find someone to move into your room. Even if you have not moved into the house and have signed a contract, you still need to find someone to take your place.
Room Swaps Within the House
Often, if the leaving tenants room is better than another tenants room, that tenant may wish to swap. The smallest, least attractive room is therefore likely to become the vacant room. Remember that if you are leaving, you must find a replacement tenant and it is easier to find people to move into a better room. Before you agree to another housemate moving into your room, remember that you will likely have more difficulty finding someone for a smaller or less attractive room.
Email Leydon Lettings
As soon as you know there is a problem, email Leydon Lettings, even if you are still unsure. We will do our upmost to help you find a substitute.
LIKELIHOOD OF FINDING A SUBSTITUTE TENANT?
11.5% of students drop out of Canterbury universities during the academic year. In addition to this some continuing students leave their houses due to incompatibility. Leaving before the end of your contract can be a very difficult experience. By following the advice below you are more likely to find a substitute tenant.
The Earlier the Better
Deciding not to move in or to leave your house after moving in. The earlier you reach your decision not to move in or to leave the house, the easier it is to find a substitute student for your house.
Some no fault consequences are listed below.
The new substitute cannot get along with the original tenants.
The new housemate may not get on with the current tenants and after signing the contract, subsequently leaves. If this happens the original departing tenant remains responsible for rent. This is because the substitute pays the rent on your behalf, should they depart, you are once again required to pay the rent for your room. The substitute may also share responsibility.
One or more original tenants cannot get along with the substitute.
The original tenants may find that they cannot get along with the substitute. As a result the original tenant(s) may decide to leave meaning that this whole process will have to be gone through again.
Council Tax problem.
If there are no students wanting to take the vacant bedroom, you may be obliged to accept a non-student. Non-students are liable for council tax, but will not want to pay the entire amount themselves. You or the other tenants may then be obliged to contribute toward the council tax, which of course no one will welcome..
Good outcomes:
An original housemate leaves and a more compatible substitute student housemate arrives. Surprising how often this happens!
Cleaning problem:
At the end of a tenancy where everyone leaves together there is no issue about cleaning; it is either clean or not. However, when a student leaves early it may be impracticable to clean the fridge freezer (as it is switched on and full of food). The oven, and some sanitary ware may not be accessible to clean as these may also be in use at the point of early departure. At the end of the tenancy the remaining tenants will be cleaning the original tenants portion of the common areas. Some may even retort, " I am not cleaning that as so and so who left early was responsible".
During viewings if your room is untidy then your possessions could be damaged when walked over. If leaving, prospective tenants are unlikely to want to live there! Your room could remain empty until after you leave and it has been cleaned up ready for viewing but this will mean a void between tenancies and costs.
Re-painting :
If the departing tenant's room is not left clean or the walls are marked, e.g. with blutac we may have to re-paint or clean the room before a substitute tenant moves in, incurring extra costs to us.