Tenants moving back to their country with only 5 days notice?
Hello Everyone, We received our tenant’s notice letter on 30th June, and they are flying out of the country on 5th July!
Instead of paying the full two months’ notice period rent, they are demanding that we return their deposit, minus just five days’ rent for this month!
We are trying very hard to find a new tenant, and we’ve promised that we will refund any unused rent and return the deposit accordingly if a new tenant moves in within the two-month notice period.
We’ve never had this issue in the past 15 years.
Any suggestions on how to deal with this situation would be greatly appreciated.
Shelly
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Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1524 - Articles: 1
9:53 AM, 6th July 2026, About 11 hours ago
Inform them they are in breach of a legal contractual agreement and you will be seeking legal redress which may result in their being denied entrance back to the UK in future.
The deposit will be retained to cover any damage and any remains balance will be used to offset rent owed.
Put in a MCOL now.
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 202
10:13 AM, 6th July 2026, About 11 hours ago
Have they handed back the keys ?
Have you got the emails, Texts or WhatsApp messages to say they are surrendering the tenancy?
Is the property empty of their possessions?
If so CHANGE the locks ASAP.
If you haven’t already got them fit Turnlock barrels on exit doors.
Do you have Landlord Insurance with Legal cover ?
Speak to them
Contact the NRLA and speak to them as well
Inspect the property and take lots of dated photos of condition and any damage
Member Since September 2020 - Comments: 15
10:50 AM, 6th July 2026, About 10 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 06/07/2026 – 09:53
whats MCOL
Member Since January 2022 - Comments: 104
11:14 AM, 6th July 2026, About 10 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Oonagh at 06/07/2026 – 10:50
Money Claim Online (MCOL)
Member Since January 2022 - Comments: 104
11:16 AM, 6th July 2026, About 10 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by DAMIEN RAFFERTY at 06/07/2026 – 10:13
“If you haven’t already got them fit Turnlock barrels on exit doors.” Can I ask the benefit of doing so? I have never used thumb turn locks?
Member Since September 2022 - Comments: 202
11:50 AM, 6th July 2026, About 9 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris H at 06/07/2026 – 11:16
Part of your Fire Safety assessment.
Turnlocks barrels cost £10/12 /15 depending on size of barrel.
Watch a YouTube video on how to measure up and replace ( should be easy to sort )
Mains wired interlinked smoke alarms with battery back up.
CO Alarm ?
This might not be a legal requirement Yet however you need to replace the barrel in case they cut extra keys keys and the difference in cost will be less than £5
It could save a Tenants life
It will show your a Good Landlord and think of the safety of your tenants !
Most council and housing associations now fit turnlocks on exit doors on all their rental properties.
If there was a fire and it ends up in Court you might face serious charges 🤔
Member Since March 2020 - Comments: 190
12:08 PM, 6th July 2026, About 9 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 06/07/2026 – 09:53
This happened to me. They said they had no money as the husband had lost his job so asked me to use the deposit to pay the final month rent. They were leaving in one month. When I told them they owed me two month’s rent of course they pleaded with me. However, apart from a lost key the flat was immaculate and they had been good tenants, so I let them off.
On moving day I saw a large and expensive car in the drive. They said they were shipping it back to Bulgaria. I was very angry. If they have the money for that….
They returned to the UK a couple of years later and had the audacity to ask me if I could rent to them again. NO WAY.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1524 - Articles: 1
5:11 PM, 6th July 2026, About 4 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris H at 06/07/2026 – 11:14
Money Claim Online.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/money-claim-online-user-guide/money-claim-online-mcol-user-guide
https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/make-claim
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1524 - Articles: 1
5:17 PM, 6th July 2026, About 4 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by Chris H at 06/07/2026 – 11:16
Legal requirement for front doors of flats (owner-occupied and rentals), external doors for rented houses and HMOs since January 2023 (Fire Safety Regulations 2022). HMO bedrooms which lock with a key must have Euro Thumb locks too.
Also Holiday lets since 1st October 2023
If not got these then Local Authorities can fine up to £7k PER offence.
Member Since January 2015 - Comments: 1524 - Articles: 1
5:20 PM, 6th July 2026, About 4 hours ago
Reply to the comment left by DAMIEN RAFFERTY at 06/07/2026 – 11:50
It’s a legal requirement that external doors, flat and HMO front doors and HMO bedroom doors which lock with a key must either have the internal side key hole securely blanked off or a Euro Thumb Lock fitted.
Fire Safety Regulations 2022 in force January 2023 (HMO bedroom doors October 2023).