Renters’ Rights Act could shut students out of university education
5 months ago | 3 comments
Deed of surrender or email advising leaving date?
12:01 AM, 5th February 2026, 3 months ago
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Hi, we are in the process of buying a flat with tenants in situ. Their lease expires at the beginning of August. We have met them, and they said they plan to leave on that date.
Before we complete the purchase, we plan to meet the tenants again and are considering whether it is better for them to sign a deed of surrender for 1 August (even though we are not yet their landlords) or ask them to email us when we are there, confirming that they wish to leave on 1 August.
We are conscious of the Renters’ Rights Act from 1 May and want to make sure the tenants will vacate on 1 August, either by deed of surrender, email confirmation or any other way that Property118 readers recommend.
The reason we are happy to buy around April and keep the tenants until August is that they are currently students and are completing a course.
Also, we would have the flat available for September, which is a time of high demand for rentals.
Is this feasible?
Thanks,
Marie
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Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 193
8:16 PM, 5th February 2026, About 3 months ago
Article in Daily Mail today ( Money ) that 2 in 5 new build owners sell at a loss so if you do buy Drive a hard bargain and get at the very very best price
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 33
9:58 PM, 5th February 2026, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by DAMIEN RAFFERTY at 05/02/2026 – 20:16
👍
Thank you
Member Since October 2020 - Comments: 1177
10:48 AM, 7th February 2026, About 3 months ago
Reply to the comment left by Highland Lass McG at 05/02/2026 – 21:58
A deed signed in advance is of no legal standing. Deeds are executed rather than served and they have no effect until the point of execution, which means it being signed and witnessed as they leave. They are under no obligation to leave until its signed, so if the cant find anywhere else, they may not. Buying with a tenant in situ means that you should assume you are buying a btl business and do full due diligence. I also wouldn’t put any pressure on them if they say they are going. I’d just hope for the best and plan for the worst.
Member Since November 2013 - Comments: 33
7:17 PM, 8th February 2026, About 3 months ago
Thank you very much for your advice
Member Since March 2023 - Comments: 1506
7:00 AM, 9th February 2026, About 3 months ago
Hoho, you have fallen for that trick. and if they don’t move out what will you do, have you thought of that.
You need to place the problem on the seller and push back your purchase date until the tenants have left.