johnsmithhp
Registered User
- Messages
- 8
Hi, I’m a landlord looking for some advice on my tenant’s deposit. The tenants have been renting in my property since August last year (agency contract) and we renewed the 1 year contract this year (without use of an agency) to last through to July 2021. However, they just gave approx 5 weeks notice that they are moving out mid December (since they can work from home and no longer need the location).
I’ve had no issues with them, they’ve paid on time and kept the place well etc but I’m wondering how to handle the deposit. The RTB say that breaking a fixed term contract is one of the reasons some or all of a deposit can be withheld but legislation doesn’t say how much can be withheld i.e. I could withhold whatever amount I deem appropriate and they could challenge it if they wish.
As I say, no issues with them at all and I understand their reason for moving but it was quite sudden and I now have an unexpected agency fee to try to find new tenants at short notice. That fee is just a few hundred short of the deposit amount.
Rather than deducting this full fee from the deposit, I was thinking of giving approx. half of the deposit back to be more lenient. I’m just not sure how they might react as my impression is they might expect to receive the full amount back.
As I say, they’ve been fine but I’ve also been pretty obliging - rent was low already for the area and I didn’t increase rent this year as per their request since one party was on a temporary reduced wage for a time.
Would appreciate any guidance as I don’t want to propose anything unfairly but also don’t see why I should have extra to pay directly due to their breaking of a contract.
Many thanks in advance!
I’ve had no issues with them, they’ve paid on time and kept the place well etc but I’m wondering how to handle the deposit. The RTB say that breaking a fixed term contract is one of the reasons some or all of a deposit can be withheld but legislation doesn’t say how much can be withheld i.e. I could withhold whatever amount I deem appropriate and they could challenge it if they wish.
As I say, no issues with them at all and I understand their reason for moving but it was quite sudden and I now have an unexpected agency fee to try to find new tenants at short notice. That fee is just a few hundred short of the deposit amount.
Rather than deducting this full fee from the deposit, I was thinking of giving approx. half of the deposit back to be more lenient. I’m just not sure how they might react as my impression is they might expect to receive the full amount back.
As I say, they’ve been fine but I’ve also been pretty obliging - rent was low already for the area and I didn’t increase rent this year as per their request since one party was on a temporary reduced wage for a time.
Would appreciate any guidance as I don’t want to propose anything unfairly but also don’t see why I should have extra to pay directly due to their breaking of a contract.
Many thanks in advance!