Hello everyone,

I'll try to sum up as much as I can. I am in a joint contract with my flatmate and we share a 1 bedroom flat. Everything was OK until I wanted to leave as I'm going back to my country. SO I gave my notice to the estate agents that told me it's a joint contract so either we both go or no one goes. So I tried to find someone to replace me and take the room. Then we got a letter from the agency saying the landlord gives everyone in our building 2 months notice to leave our flats because he wants to renovate the whole building. Our contract is finishing on May,6th 2012. With the eviction letter, that'd make it June;6th.

So literally I had to find someone to replace me for one month only.
Then my flatmate (who watns to stay) and other people in the building said that the landlord can't do this and they're ready to sue him etc... to stay here.
I really need to go away and I'm completely lost about what to do.

I'm fairly sure I might lose my deposit, everyone tells me to go away anyway, but I don't want to have pbs or being force to pay my part of the rent at the end of the lease as I have no money. I imagine if I refuse to sign another contract (if they win their fight with the landlord) I can go. But I'm scared I'm stuck to this joint contract for life (it seems)

Any advice is welcome. Thanks for reading me!

You give your lanlord notice you will not be renewing the lease, but you will be responsible for the rent until the lease ends.

Hi Scott and thanks for your answer! I think with the new letter from the landlord saying that he wants everybody out, I should consider the end of lease on June, 6th (?). So I'll prepare a letter what you advised.

I don't think I'll get my deposit back though. I'll let you know what happens. If you or others have even more advice it's more than welcome! Thanks! :)

If your lease is up on 5/6 then it ends then. I'm not sure how leases work in the UK, but in the US if a new lease isn't signed then the lease becomes month to month if the tenants stay. However, in the US, you would also have to give sufficient notice before leaving and that is usually at least 30 days.

So if you want to simply acknowledge the landlord's letter and state you will be out by June 6, then you will owe only up top that point.

Hello everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that I have followed ScottGem's advice and actually managed to find someone to replace me in the room. I'm actually renting a place with friends for 2 months then we're going to find sthg else. And today I just had my deposit back so all is well, just wanted to thank the ones who answered me and sorry I haven't kept you updated more (got very very busy)

Thanks again,
Liny

Thanks for the follow-up