Help for my sister please. Broken tenancy agreement

[niklepic]

My sister and her partner were two months into a 6 month agreement but unfortunately have recently split up and as neither of them can afford to stay in the house alone have given the landlord notice. They've handed the keys back today. My sister has agreed to pay the rent for the remainder of the tenancy or until the landlord finds another tenant, however the landlord refuses to return the bond they paid until either the end of the tenancy or until a tenant is found.

Can the landlord keep hold of the bond? My sister and her ex other half are worried that as the house is now empty if anything happens to it (ie. it gets broken into and wrecked) they will be liable and the damage will come out of their pockets.

Sorry for being naive - i don't know anything about landlords/tenancies.

Thanks.

[old_andrew2007]

bump

[raydetinu]

No, he must return it at the end of the notce period. The notice period is normally two months, so they are liable for that, unless he relets it pror to to that with agreement. Its still their flat until that date, he cant get paid twice? have they agreed the condition and any liabilities prior to moving out? which he could deduct from deposit.

[MrShed]

Not totally correct raydet. They are liable for 4 months(as they have a 6 month fixed term) unless the property is relet.

With regards the deposit, as the tenancy has ended by them returning possession of the property(although their liabilities under the tenancy have not) the deposit is due for return immediately.