🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <scr27-C3EBC2.13553004112003@pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk>, Sue 
Rogers <scr27@cam.ac.uk> writes
>My ex-neighbours desperately need to find furnished accommodation from
>now until the end of January 2004.
>
>They have a car so don't mind whether it's in the city or in a village.
>
>It must be furnished.
>
>Doesn't matter whether it's a flat or a house.

As they don't have any furniture, what about digs? Or could they make 
some kind of long-term deal with a B&B?

>Must be available immediately or within next couple of weeks.

Hotels/digs/B&B looking better all the time...

>All the rental agencies are saying minimum rental 6 months and they only
>need 3 months.

That's correct. Maybe they need to take out a 6 month rental, and eat 
the extra 3 months. How sure are they that really don't need it after 
end of Jan?

ps Have they tried corporate flat rentals like:

http://www.biz-stay.com/home.cfm?page=city&cityid=684

Or what about a holiday let? Hoseasons etc. Or do such lets have a 
*maximum* period?
-- 
"now, the thing you type on and the window you stare out of are the same thing"

In article <KQdT7GC0P8p$EAcu@perry.co.uk>, Meldrew of Meldreth
<roland@perry.co.uk> writes
>Or what about a holiday let?

<http://www.cottages4you.co.uk/uce/c4y?view=details&action=readDetails&c
ottageId=372895&holidayPark=N>

<http://www.cottages4you.co.uk/uce/c4y?view=details&action=readDetails&c
ottageId=375224&holidayPark=N>
-- 
"now, the thing you type on and the window you stare out of are the same thing"

"Sue Rogers" <scr27@cam.ac.uk> wrote in message
news:scr27-C3EBC2.13553004112003@pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk...
>
> All the rental agencies are saying minimum rental 6 months and they only
> need 3 months.

Of course. Everyone uses an Assured Shorthold Tenancy contract, and the law
says that as far as the landlord is concerned it must run for at least six
months.

Now, the tenant is in a different position. They can give a months notice
the day they move in and there's b****r all the landlord can do about it.

So all your friends have to do is lie - move in, claiming to want to stay
six months, then give a month's notice after two months.

I thought everyone knew that ...

--
Tim Ward - posting as an individual unless otherwise clear
Brett Ward Ltd - www.brettward.co.uk
Cambridge Accommodation Notice Board - www.brettward.co.uk/canb
Cambridge City Councillor

You should check the small print as a guy I know thought he could do this but
turns out not - His landlord is a lawyer and has done his own version of this
type of contract.

Tim Ward wrote:

> "Sue Rogers" <scr27@cam.ac.uk> wrote in message
> news:scr27-C3EBC2.13553004112003@pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk...
> >
> > All the rental agencies are saying minimum rental 6 months and they only
> > need 3 months.
>
> Of course. Everyone uses an Assured Shorthold Tenancy contract, and the law
> says that as far as the landlord is concerned it must run for at least six
> months.
>
> Now, the tenant is in a different position. They can give a months notice
> the day they move in and there's b****r all the landlord can do about it.
>
> So all your friends have to do is lie - move in, claiming to want to stay
> six months, then give a month's notice after two months.
>
> I thought everyone knew that ...
>
> --
> Tim Ward - posting as an individual unless otherwise clear
> Brett Ward Ltd - www.brettward.co.uk
> Cambridge Accommodation Notice Board - www.brettward.co.uk/canb
> Cambridge City Councillor

In article <bo8ps9$1bhits$1@ID-154437.news.uni-berlin.de>,
 "Tim Ward" <tim@brettward.co.uk> wrote:

> So all your friends have to do is lie - move in, claiming to want to stay
> six months, then give a month's notice after two months.
> 
> I thought everyone knew that ...

Nope they wouldn't know that as they've never rented a property before.

Thanks for the suggestions everyone.  I'll pass them on.

>> All the rental agencies are saying minimum rental 6 months and they
>> only need 3 months. 
> 
> Of course. Everyone uses an Assured Shorthold Tenancy contract, and the
> law says that as far as the landlord is concerned it must run for at
> least six months.

From http://www.letlink.co.uk/Facts/Lfacts19.htm (on Assured Shorthold 
Tenancies):

"Term: since the changes introduced by the Housing Act 1996, an assured 
shorthold tenancy need not now be a term certain of at least six months - it 
can be any length of time.  If the fixed term is to exceed three years, then 
the agreement must be drawn up by deed (consult your solicitor for 
details)."

IANAL & HTH

"Tim Ward" <tim@brettward.co.uk> wrote in message news:<bo8ps9$1bhits$1@ID-154437.news.uni-berlin.de>...
> "Sue Rogers" <scr27@cam.ac.uk> wrote in message
> news:scr27-C3EBC2.13553004112003@pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk...
> >
> > All the rental agencies are saying minimum rental 6 months and they only
> > need 3 months.
> 
> Of course. Everyone uses an Assured Shorthold Tenancy contract, and the law
> says that as far as the landlord is concerned it must run for at least six
> months.
> 
> Now, the tenant is in a different position. They can give a months notice
> the day they move in and there's b****r all the landlord can do about it.
> 
> So all your friends have to do is lie - move in, claiming to want to stay
> six months, then give a month's notice after two months.
> 
> I thought everyone knew that ...



Its a compulsory two month period for either party to give notice. 
And yes the landlord can do something about it if they give notice as
soon as they move in.  You sign a six month contract and YOU ARE
LIABLE for those six months UNLESS another tenant is found and even
then the landlord must agree to early release.  The only exceptions
are when there are 2 or more occupants, one leaves unexpectedly
without permission and the 1st cant pay.

Tim Ward <tim@brettward.co.uk> enlightened us with:
>"Sue Rogers" <scr27@cam.ac.uk> wrote in message
>news:scr27-C3EBC2.13553004112003@pegasus.csx.cam.ac.uk...
>>
>> All the rental agencies are saying minimum rental 6 months and they only
>> need 3 months.
>
>Of course. Everyone uses an Assured Shorthold Tenancy contract, and the law
>says that as far as the landlord is concerned it must run for at least six
>months.
>
>Now, the tenant is in a different position. They can give a months notice
>the day they move in and there's b****r all the landlord can do about it.
>
>So all your friends have to do is lie - move in, claiming to want to stay
>six months, then give a month's notice after two months.
>
>I thought everyone knew that ...

Evidently not including the Deputy Prime Minister ;-):

http://www.odpm.gov.uk/stellent/groups/odpm_housing/documents/page/odpm_house_601788-08.hcsp
question 8.4

And confirmed (and more clearly written) here:
http://www.brent.gov.uk/phiu.nsf/0/3f1290d128d3c1e98025678b004becb1?OpenDocument

"A) If The Tenant Wants To End The Agreement

If the agreement is granted for a fixed term and the tenant wants to end
the tenancy within the fixed term s/he may be held liable for all of the
rent for the full term of the tenancy, unless, at the outset of the
tenancy, the landlord and tenant agree to put a break clause into the
tenancy agreement which allows the tenant to leave early within the
fixed term."

The "fixed term" being at least 6 months of course.

So Sue's ex-neighbours can ask the rental agencies for a break clause
at 3 months, but TBH I doubt they'll grant one. But it's worth a shot
since there's nothing to lose!

Jifl
-- 
--["No sense being pessimistic, it wouldn't work anyway"]-- Opinions==mine