Landlord notice on Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement

[caguser]

Hi, would be grateful if someone could clarify a point for me.
We have just signed a new Assured Shorthold Tenancy agreement on Feb 1st; our landlords told us days after we'd signed that they were getting the property valued and they "just couldn't make their minds up whether to sell or not"
Obviously this is making us feel uneasy and what I'd like to know for definite is...I know there is a 6mths period before the contract can be broken; does this mean that they can only give us notice after the 6mths has elapsed? i.e. 6mths + 2, or can they give us notice anytime with that 6mths that we need to move at the end of it?

Would be really grateful for any clarification

Thanks

[PKea]

As far as i believe, the contract is for 6 months.
They dont have to renew at the end of six months and therefore it will end, but i dont believe they can shorten the 6 months unless by agreement

Somebody with better knowledge will be along soon

[caguser]

Hi Pkea, thanks for the response.
We signed a contract for a year; with a breakout in 6mths-is that what you mean? That actually the contract is really only for 6mths-so they could tell us within that 6months to move-even though the signed contract is until 1st Feb 2008? Thanks

[PKea]

When i rented a flat, the Shorthold agreement was for 6 months at a time.

From what you say, it sounds like there is a 6 month opt clause, but as it is in a 12 month contract i would presume that would have to be a notice period.

Best wait till someone with more knowledge can confirm this.

[blacksheep1979]

They cana give you notice on day one if they like but they have to give a minimum of two months notice and you cannot be made to leave before the six months.

[JOSH_IOU]

There has to be valid grounds to move you out.
You've a right to a peaceful occupancy.

Is there anything in your Tenancy agreement with a termination clause? Remember the OFT covers landlords.

[Aequitas]

If a landlord sells the tenant's rights do not change either for better or worse. The new landlord is bound by the terms of the tenancy agreement.

[JOSH_IOU]

this is an interesting quote from an interesting document.

"A self-employed person is an individual who works for gain or
reward otherwise than under a contract of employment whether
or not he employs others."

This definition would appear to apply to landlords and agents; similarly, tenants would appear to be a group of persons affected by the landlord's operations. This tends to suggest that electrical regulations, which are ostensibly directed at employers and the work place, are equally applicable to landlords, their premises and their tenants.

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/pdf/3-...y%20Checks.pdf

[demon_x_slash]

Eh?