‘Surrender Of Tenancy Letter’ For Tenants
Written by The Landlord on 23 Aug 2010Unfortunately, on Friday, I received a surrender of tenancy from the best tenants’ I’ve ever been privileged enough to have. It was a fatal blow. The prospect of trying to fill their shoes seems like a difficult task, which I’m not looking forward to tackle.
Over the 2 years they’ve been my tenants I didn’t encounter a single problem, and that’s quite rare from my experience. I seriously don’t want to see them go, but it’s out of my control. Their family is growing and they need more space. I did suggest for them to store their youngest child in the garden shed to create extra living space, but they weren’t playing ball.
Anyways, when they surrendered their tenancy, they handed over the most professional and clear notice I have ever seen. This is what my tenant gave me:
I was impressed, so much so that I thought i’d post it up here, so other tenants can use it if they wish (there’s a downloadable version below).
I didn’t ask my tenant where he got it from, but I assumed it was a template he had found online. Of course, a surrender of tenancy letter doesn’t need to be so elaborate; all can be said in one sentence- that’s what my previous tenants gave me. However, I like this elaborate version because it’s concise and transparent, so it avoids potential misinterpretations.
I actually tried Googling for other Surrender Of Tenancy Letter templates to see how it compared, but I couldn’t find any. Mind you, I did only look for 5 mins, and I got majorly bored after that. Or perhaps I failed because the market for a template of something so mundane and pointless does not exist. Perhaps. Actually, most likely.
What is a Surrender of Tenancy letter?
It’s a mutual agreement between landlord and tenant to end a tenancy. This is called ‘surrender’. To be valid, both sides must agree, and it’s always best to put what’s been agreed in writing so everyone knows where they stand. If the tenancy is joint, all joint tenants and the landlord must agree to the surrender.
Does anyone know of any templates available online? Also, has any landlord received a surrender of tenancy like that before, if not better?
Important: If you decide to use it, make sure you print two copies – landlord and tenant should each keep a copy.
Download
Here’s a copy of the Surrender Of Tenancy Letter. Feel free to use it.
Surrender Of Tenancy Letter
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9 Comments - join the conversation...
It might be a blessing though because they were getting problamatic, wouldnt alloww the painter access the other day and plumbed a washing machine in the bathroom ! until we insisted they removed it.
bleeding tenants !!!
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Can anyone suggest how I calculate the damage, is this a percentage of the original price or replacement price? I have used an inventory agency, but they just record damage and cannot help with I charge them.
I have a deposit if £1100 but doubt this will cover it>
Sincerely,
Graham
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My landlord friends and I were sick and tired of feeling there was nothing we could do. So we decided to do something about it.
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JR
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I would still rent to these tenants; as they paid rent for 4.5 years and I hold a large deposit that should cover my costs, however they expect a full refund as they beleive the damage is fair wear and tear.
I plan to calculate my full costs and send them details. Obviously they will expect to negoitate this down.
My concern is, example
I had to replace one sofa that was good quality that cost £600; they broke the frame between the legs and the covers were badly stained thay could not be cleaned or repaired; so how do I calculate fair wear and tear when the sofa was 4.5 years old.
The second identical sofa was not damaged but required new covers.
I'd appreciate help; can someone suggest fair wear an tear in this instance?
Sincerely,
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Four and a half years is quite a long time. How much would you expect to pay for a second-hand sofa in good condition that has been used for that long? £100? £200 tops? If it is now unsaleable I would call it £200 and charge them that. Add on the covers for the other one (£100?) and there's your answer.
Personally, I never let furnished. It avoids just this kind of hassle. My thinking is that is a tenant has reached a certain age and hasn't got any furniture or enough personal items to fill a property, then something's wrong with them. And furnished places don't seem to fetch very much more rent than unfurnished.
I know that's probably not a very scientific way of looking at the tenant demographic, but it works for me.
Of course, you may live in a part of the country where furnished property is the norm. It isn't in the area where I live and rent my places.
Good luck!
JR
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Graham - the issue you will have is of "betterment"! You are only allowed to charge for refurbishment/repairs to bring the items back to the condition they were in when the property was let. For example, if the furniture was second hand then you would not be allowed to charge them for a new item as it would be "better" than originally supplied. In the same vein, if it went to court then the magustrate would ask you how you knew the covers could not be cleaned or repaired since you were not a professional upholstery cleaner!
You would have to provide written evidence - you cannot just assume that the sofa can't be repaired or cleaned - the same with the new covers - you would have to provide documentary evidence to prove they could not be cleaned. If the sofa was 4.5 years old then I am afraid you would have a real issue charging more than just a nominal amount especially if you do not have an independant inventory along with photographs to prove condition. Frames dont seem to be built to last these days!
I would suggest the same as John, even a little less perhaps to avoid issues with the beak!
Jools
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Any landlords out there had a similar experience with tenants or can anyone offer advice on how I can negotiate with my landlord a leaving early agreement.
Thank you in advance.
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