Thank you all - this is exactly what I thought after carrying out my research! I will stick to my original end of tenancy date and dispute any deductions he makes on my deposit as a result!

Hi everyone, I wonder if anyone can help me with a problem I can’t seem to find a clear solution for anywhere on the internet! Last year I entered into an Assured Shorthold Tenancy Agreement which commenced on 1st September 2011 for 12 months – I continued to stay at the property after 31st August 2012 and my landlord didn’t follow this up with a new agreement or any communication. I recently served notice to end my tenancy on my landlord via email on 18th November and by formal follow-up letter on 19th November. I pay my rent monthly on the 1st day of each month – so I calculated that my last day at the property would be 31st December 2012 (i.e. the last day of the following rent period after notice was served),however my landlord is disputing this and thinks that I should have served 2months notice and therefore should be paying rent until 18th January 2013! I argued that the tenancy has now become a statutory periodic tenancy because it now continues from month to month on the same terms. He is arguing that the tenancy is a contractual periodic tenancy and the notice period should be 2 months in line with the contract. The relevant contract provisions are: The Term 12 months beginning on 1st September 2011 (‘the fixed period’) The Tenancy will then continue, still subject to the terms and conditions set out in this Agreement, from month to month from the end of this fixed period unless or until the Tenant gives notice that he wishes to end the Agreement as set out in Clause 4 overleaf, or the Landlord serves on the Tenant a notice under Section 21 of the Housing Act 1988, a new form of Agreement is entered into, or this Agreement is ended by consent or a court order. 4. Ending this Agreement 4.1. The Tenant cannot normally end this Agreement before the end of the Term. However, after the first six months of the Term, if the Tenant can find a suitable alternative tenant, and provided this alternative tenant is acceptable to the Landlord (the Landlord’s approval not to be unreasonably withheld) the Tenant may give notice to end the Tenancy on a date at least two months from the date that such approval is given by the Landlord. On the expiry of such notice, provided that the Tenant pays to the Landlord the reasonable expenses reasonably incurred by the Landlord in granting the necessary approval and in granting any new tenancy to the alternative tenant, the Tenancy shall end. I have argued that clause 4.1 is a break clause and relates to the fixed period only – he is arguing that this clause also applies after the fixed period has expired. But if he is right then the clause doesn't make sense and is totally unfair?! He is threatening to deduct the amount of rent which he has calculated to be from 1st Jan – 18th Jan 2013 from my deposit but I don’t think that he can simply just do this! Please can you let me know your thoughts as to who is right here? I am seriously considering mediation services! Thank you!