One tenant wants to quit the other three don’t

One tenant wants to quit the other three don’t

10:55 AM, 12th October 2016, About 8 years ago 26

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One tenant wants to quit the other three don't

I currently have a tenant who shares a property with three other people, four in total on a single tenancy agreement and the tenancy is currently periodic

One of the tenants wishes to leave and has served notice on the whole property. As the tenancy is periodic I know they can do that.

My questions is; because one tenant has served notice and the tenancy is joint and several what are the implications on the outgoing tenant if the other tenants refuse to leave? Also, what are the implications on the tenants in situe?

I imagine that as they are joint and several they all remain responsible, but because one tenant can in effect give notice for an entire property without giving any prior knowledge to the rest of the tenants I was enquiring as to whether there is any difference compared to a standard notice to quit?

Thanks

Clive


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Comments

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

10:07 AM, 16th October 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Romain Garcin" at "16/10/2016 - 09:56":

Thank you Romain, that is also my understanding.

It is very unusual for Mandy and I to share different opinions on such matters.
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Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

10:11 AM, 16th October 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mandy Thomson" at "16/10/2016 - 10:07":

Hi Mandy

My understanding is that the other three would have no tenancy at all as it has ended. The landlord could apply for a possession order immediately without notice being served. I also think he could apply for means profits.

Romain Garcin

10:46 AM, 16th October 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mandy Thomson" at "16/10/2016 - 10:07":

Hi Mandy,

The remaining 'tenants' have no tenancy. The safest option is for the landlord to get a court order to evict them, he does not need to serve any notice and may start proceedings immediately, as Mark said.

Mandy Thomson

10:59 AM, 16th October 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "16/10/2016 - 10:11":

I didn't appreciate that a tenant's NTQ was legally binding on the tenant, and hadn't come across a situation before where joint tenants didn't enter into a new AST with the landlord or the landlord and tenants assign to a new tenant (during a fixed term).

I've double checked and Tessa Shepperson has set out the scenario that you and Romain mention: http://www.landlordlawblog.co.uk/2014/09/11/this-tenant-has-served-a-notice-to-quit-but-now-wants-to-stay/ .

However, looking into this further, it seems that to enforce, you wouldn't use the procedure for trespassers, but the standard procedure, form n5 with an affadavit (see "What is a claim against trespassers"): http://www.landmarkchambers.co.uk/userfiles/documents/resources/RJC%20Trespassers%20Finished.pdf

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

11:12 AM, 16th October 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mandy Thomson" at "16/10/2016 - 10:59":

In reflection, I concur with your latest point re the serving of N5 with an affidavit as opposed to acting on trespass.

We got there in the end - phew!

I still stand by initial recommendations to with a view to achieving an amicable resolution though.
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Mandy Thomson

11:25 AM, 16th October 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "16/10/2016 - 11:12":

Agreed - it's always best to try to resolve these issues amicably first and in practice this sort of joint tenant scenario is usually resolved by a new incoming tenant being signed up or perhaps taking a new occupant on as a lodger (either because the AST is still in fixed term or the others want to see how they get on with them before committing themselves).

Having said that, an unusual scenario will always crop up and it's best to know what to do in that event.

I would just add that if Clive does a new joint AST he might want to make this a monthly contractual, rather than a standard AST with a new fixed term for the existing tenants, if he's in any doubt that he might want to commit himself or the original tenants might want the option of moving out before the 6 months are up.

Romain Garcin

11:30 AM, 16th October 2016, About 8 years ago

If a new tenancy is granted, Clive will be stuck for 6 months under s.21 anyway, though.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

11:41 AM, 16th October 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Romain Garcin" at "16/10/2016 - 11:30":

I agree, and deposit protection and prescribed information will be needed again because the tenants will be different due to one having dropped out, hence a new tenancy as opposed to a continuation.
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Mandy Thomson

11:46 AM, 16th October 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Romain Garcin" at "16/10/2016 - 11:30":

This just shows how joint ASTs between non related multiple tenants can get messy and confusing as one or more tenants often want out and the others want to stay, so a landlord can find themselves having to set up new ASTs several times; I recently learned of a landlord having to do this 3 times in one year!

Personally, I think it's better to issue individual ASTs for the rooms only, even when the tenants know each other beforehand. I realise this makes the landlord responsible for council tax, and possibly utilities (though there are ways around this) but the rent is normally extra to cover this. The landlord also has more control as he retains possession of the common areas.

Mandy Thomson

11:57 AM, 16th October 2016, About 8 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mark Alexander" at "16/10/2016 - 11:41":

The EPC, gas safe certificate and How to Rent guide will only need to be served on the incoming tenant; same for right to rent, though I understand the gas safe certificate now needs to be served on existing tenants each year, as opposed to simply given or left with the tenant.

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