Deed of Surrender – Landlord and Tenant Q&A

Deed of Surrender – Landlord and Tenant Q&A

13:41 PM, 20th February 2014, About 10 years ago 96

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Dear Readers,

If a tenant signs a tenancy surrender form (Deed of Surrender), but subsequently changes their mind and refuses to move out or return the keys, is the landlord legally allowed to change the locks and deny the tenant access? Would this then be in breach of the Protection from Eviction Act?

Putting it slightly differently:
If the tenant has surrendered the tenancy, by signing a tenancy surrender form, but remains in occupation, are they then an illegal squatter?

Does a landlord need a court order to evict them, or is there a different lawful way of getting them out?

Many Thanks

RobertGood Question


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Comments

Industry Observer

18:15 PM, 21st February 2014, About 10 years ago

Not so common Mark have never seen it used in over 20 years sounds a bit desperate to me

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

18:37 PM, 21st February 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Industry Observer " at "21/02/2014 - 18:15":

Where have you been hiding? 🙂

Most of the landlords commenting on this thread know what a Deed of Surrender is, as do all landlords associations. To be frank, I'm gobsmacked that you never come across them!

In fairness though, if we couldn't all learn something new from being here there wouldn't be much point for Property118 to exist would there?
.

Industry Observer

19:07 PM, 21st February 2014, About 10 years ago

Oh dear Mark be careful

Where I have been last 20 years is smack in centre of mainstream lettings. So is this Deed or Surrender a bit like your Deed of Assurance?

Let's rewind - answer the questions I asked about why bother?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

19:16 PM, 21st February 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Industry Observer " at "21/02/2014 - 19:07":

So far as I'm aware, a Deed of Surrender has been around a lot longer than you or as.

As for their usefulness, well I'm beginning to wonder that myself after reading this thread. As I said previously, I have never needed to use one myself but I do know plenty of people who have and they've never had a problem. However, that's possibly more to do with good fortune than anything else. The scenario raised by this Readers Question was as new to me as the phrase "Deed of Surrender" is to you.

Sorry about the low ball, unintentional of course 😉
.
.

Romain Garcin

19:31 PM, 21st February 2014, About 10 years ago

A Deed of Surrender is a clear cut, bolt and braces way to terminate the tenancy.
If the offer/acceptance of the surrender is implied by the parties' actions there is always potential for misunderstanding or for the tenant to come back and claim unlawful eviction.
If it is in writing, the situation is much better.
If it is in writing and by way of a deed properly drafted and executed then it is water tight. As such, if practical it is the best option.

I think that is key for the issue being discussed here: If the document that was signed is an agreement to surrender, then the tenant can still breach it by not actually surrendering the tenancy.
But the execution of a correct deed of surrender ends the tenancy right there. Once the tenancy has ended, the tenant cannot change his mind.

But the deed should be executed only after the tenant has vacated the property. Otherwise, while the tenancy has been terminated, the landlord must still go to court to get a possession order (though I've heard that for trespassers the procedure may be faster), and potentially claim mesme profit or double rent, etc.

As for the "full and final settlement of any claims against each other" mentioned by Mark, it really depends on the terms of the deed. There is no obligation to settle anything.

(I am not a lawyer, though, so this is just my, probably simple, understanding)

Steve Masters

0:48 AM, 22nd February 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Romain " at "21/02/2014 - 19:31":

Nicely put Romain, but the distinction between surrendering the Tenancy and surrendering Possession needs to be understood and I'm still not sure that I do.

Also, in addition to agreeing to surrender in the FUTURE and confirmation that surrender has taken place in the PAST there is a third scenario where surrender takes place NOW upon proper signing of the deed. For instance when the tenant is unwilling or unable to physically move out themselves (something like abandonment) and the landlord has to remove the tenants belongings on their behalf.

Remember:
Possession really is nine- tenths of the law
AND
It ain't over til the fat lady sings.

Industry Observer

8:42 AM, 22nd February 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Steve Masters" at "22/02/2014 - 00:48":

@Steve

I suggest you listen closely to Romain on surrender distinctions

Steve Masters

8:57 AM, 22nd February 2014, About 10 years ago

See if I have got this right, a correctly drafted Deed Of Surrender will terminate a Tenancy Agreement in all cases but it does not terminate occupancy or Possession of the property until they actually vacate or agree that they have vacated in their absence.

Steve Masters

9:08 AM, 22nd February 2014, About 10 years ago

See if I have got this right,

A Tenancy is an agreement where the landlord allows the tenant possession or quiet enjoyment of the property in exchange for a fare rent etc etc.

Possession is where the tenant is occupying the property or has not yet properly vacated the property.

So a correctly drafted Deed Of Surrender will terminate a Tenancy agreement in all cases but it does not terminate occupancy or Possession of the property until the tenant actually vacates or agrees that they have vacated.

If the tenant agrees to vacate in the future but changes their mind they have terminated the Tenancy but they retain Possession without agreement.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

9:36 AM, 22nd February 2014, About 10 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Steve Masters" at "22/02/2014 - 09:08":

Hi Steve

I am not a lawyer either but I suspect you've hit the nail on the head with the two comments above 🙂
.

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