Giving landlord notice to move out.

DeadMoney · 04-01-2011 2:44pm #1

Hi, I am a student who began renting a room at the beginning of October last year. The landlord agreed to let out the room until the end of May which is stated on the lease. However she also informed me that I may terminate the lease at any stage once I give 4 weeks notice. I also paid up front 1 month's rent which was to be held as my final 4 weeks rent. I want to move out at the beginning of February and am planning on giving my notice this week as 4 weeks from this coming friday will be my move out date. I am assuming there will be no problem and since my last 4 weeks are paid in advance, I no longer owe my landlord any rent.

The thing is I have since learned from tenants that my landlord is "sneaky" and has tried to do people out of money in the past. I am worried that she will turn around to me with some sort of excuse about my final 4 weeks rent or demand something which was not stated out in our original agreement. I just want to be prepared in case she does give me some resistance. I could be worrying over nothing and maybe everything will be smooth but I've been stung by landlords before and want to be ready this time in case anything happens.

Was just wondering if anybody has any advice which I may need to take on board.

Thanks

silja · 04-01-2011 3:02pm

Did you sign a lease? if so, what does it say?

It is unusual to pay last month's rent in advance in Ireland (very common in the USA). Usually, you pay a deposit of one month's rent though, which is held until the day you move out and then given back if you leave the place in good repair.

ztoical · 04-01-2011 3:31pm

DeadMoney wrote: »

Hi, I am a student who began renting a room at the beginning of October last year. The landlord agreed to let out the room until the end of May which is stated on the lease. However she also informed me that I may terminate the lease at any stage once I give 4 weeks notice. I also paid up front 1 month's rent which was to be held as my final 4 weeks rent. I want to move out at the beginning of February and am planning on giving my notice this week as 4 weeks from this coming friday will be my move out date. I am assuming there will be no problem and since my last 4 weeks are paid in advance, I no longer owe my landlord any rent.

Do you have this in writing either in your lease or from the LL or are you just assuming this? Alot of people in this country have the habbit of using the deposit as their last months rent and some LL are fine with that but its not what the deposit is for. It is meant to cover the LL for any demage beyond normal wear and tear and any out standing bills and should be returned at the end of the tenancy.

DeadMoney · 04-01-2011 3:46pm

Yeah it is written on the lease that a deposit of €100 was paid along with first 2 weeks rent and an advance of 4 weeks rent (my last month). The deposit of €100 is stated to be refundable but the 4x weeks is for final month and not stated as being refundable. After looking at my lease now it doesn't seem likely that she could turn around and deny my final month as being pre paid since it is clearly stated on the lease and signed by both her and myself. It also says I should give 4 weeks notice in writing. I was going to just phone her first and tell her but do you think I should just give my notice in writing first?

silja · 04-01-2011 3:53pm

I'd do both, but make sure the written notice is postmarked at least 4 weeks before you want to move out.

ztoical · 04-01-2011 3:54pm

DeadMoney wrote: »

It also says I should give 4 weeks notice in writing. I was going to just phone her first and tell her but do you think I should just give my notice in writing first?

If the lease states notice must be given in writing then make sure to give it in writing. Even if it didn't I would still have it in writing as it gives you a paper trail in case there are any issues.

DeadMoney · 04-01-2011 4:01pm

Thanks, my landlord lives in the house attached to mine so I would not need to actually post anything and usually slide any letters under the door. So should I just date it and do the same, and then ring as well within in the next few days to confirm that she received my notice?

silja · 04-01-2011 4:55pm

DeadMoney wrote: »

Thanks, my landlord lives in the house attached to mine so I would not need to actually post anything and usually slide any letters under the door. So should I just date it and do the same, and then ring as well within in the next few days to confirm that she received my notice?

If you think she is shady, some sort of proof you gave notice in good time might come in useful, just in case. You could call over to her, giving the written notice in person and bringing a friend along, or instead of calling her, text her, asking her to confirm she got the notice.

gossipgal08 · 04-01-2011 5:44pm

To be on the safe side photocopy the letter and post it getting proof of postage/reg letter

DeadMoney · 04-01-2011 6:30pm

Ok thanks everyone. I am sure there will be no problems and I am really just acting quite paranoid since I have been in some bad spots with landlords before. She cannot turn around and deny my request to move out since it is in the lease and I do not have to pay her any more rent since my last month is paid. I will owe some small utilities which will be deducted from my deposit, and I'll just have to wait and see how she handles the refund of the rest.

Thanks again

Giving landlord notice to move out.

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