Hi, I hope someone can help clarify what we should do. I've roamed the internet, but am just confused! We (me and OH) are coming to the end of an AST (we live in London). Back in June, we confirmed that we wished to renew, and agreed to a rent increase (£100 extra pcm- ouch), and the Letting Agent said they would be in touch closer to the date our AST expires (23rd July), to arrange to sign another year's contract. All this was by email, and we've not heard anything since. I understand that if another contract is not signed, then the tenancy becomes a periodic tenancy? Or are we obliged to vacate the property? The rent increase is also troubling us- We've not received any paperwork about the increase, other than the email back in June from the letting agent stating that the landlord was asking for £100 extra, which we agreed to by email, after trying to negotiate a lesser rise (no dice!), also by email. We pay monthly by standing order- should we continue to pay the present amount, or amend it to the inreased amount? If we don't increase the amount, we are worried that the landlord will give us notice- and we cannot afford to move at the moment. But we haven't received anything formal in terms of the increase. Hope this all makes sense. Any advice? Thanks, V

Hi all, this is quite similar to the thread 298034-Letter-to-Landlord-Periodic-Tenancy but differs in that the agency wants to commence viewings for other prospective tenants if I don't sign a new fixed term contract, rather than raise the rent. My Assured Shorthold Tenancy was signed on the 28th of November last year and will therefore automatically become a Periodic Tenancy on the 28th of May, as according to the law. The agency first called me to ask if I was staying and will sign a new contract on the 14th of March, which is a little early. My feelings about this is that they were asking me to essentially give 2.5 months notice if indeed I was planning to leave; which isn't right. Also, as agencies typically do; they want to charge a fee for the contract renewal (which is obviously their entire motivation). They called again today to say that the property will now be 'put back on the market' unless I commit to staying. Essentially I am undecided as to how long I will be staying and do not want to sign a new fixed term contract. I don't like being pressured into making decisions when I'm at liberty not to. It is my understanding that once the contract becomes Periodic then it is fairly easy for the landlord to give 2 month's notice; which I am perfectly fine with. I don't know what the LL's stance on this is. They live in Hong Kong and for all I know are quite happy to continue with a Periodic Tenancy. The agency represents them in absolutely everything; including repairs and inspections; so I'm guessing the LL would prefer them to take care of everything and they just pay and forget about it. If I were to write to the LL directly, it would be airmail around the world; I don't expect it to be a speedy process. My biggest objection at this point is having prospective tenants doing viewings of the property without me having received notice. I work from home, and if the worst came to the worst I would simply tell any viewer that as far as I'm concerned, the property is not available as advertised and they are therefore wasting their time. Isn't it a bit presumptuous to put it 'back on the market' without anyone stating that the contract is ending? My contract contains the following clause: (Emphasis mine) I have done some confirmation research and only ever find that a tenant must give reasonable access to perform maintenance; or to provide viewings for prospective purchasers; but not for prospective tenants. Considering that performing viewings is obviously an expression of intent, I would expect that they can only do such a thing if notice to quit had been served. Aside from all this, we have been good tenants; pay rent on time; with no other grievances. My questions are: Do we have the right to refuse entry for viewings for prospective tenants? How best should I refuse to sign a new fixed term contract without aggravating the LL or agency? Note: I would much rather communicate my denial of entry rather than physically obstruct it. As permission is required, is stating my objection enough? As a side note, I also noticed this in my contract: Isn't the statutory requirement 1 month for the tenant and 2 months for the landlord? Thanks in advance, Darren