Sharing a rental home has its perks, but things can get a bit complicated when it’s time for someone to leave.
The remaining tenants will have to fill the gap when one person moves out. Open communication is, therefore, vital to avoid possible misunderstandings.
Here’s how to facilitate this transition for everyone involved.
What Is a Joint Lease Agreement?
Under this arrangement, two or more people occupy a place for a predetermined duration. All residents would then be equally responsible for the rent, bills, repairs, and property upkeep.
If one person fails to pay their share of the rent, the others would be legally responsible for covering the entire amount.
The same applies to housework and routine maintenance. The remaining renters will have to put in a little more effort to keep the place in good condition when someone relocates.
In light of this, you must follow the correct procedures when moving out. Otherwise, you could face problems with your landlord or the other renters.
Communicate with Your Housemates
Your departure will affect the remaining household members, so try to give them fair notice.
Sit them down, and work out how the bills and rent will be handled once you’re gone. You might also have to help them locate a replacement renter if you’re leaving before the end of your lease term.
Given all the factors in play here, you should discuss the following topics before making any arrangements to avoid misunderstandings later on:
- Rent and other financial obligations. Will you help find someone to cover your half of the rent, or will the remaining renters cover it?
- Group duties. Before you go, consider how chores will be handled. To ensure the house is in order, you could schedule a planned tenancy cleaning service together. You should also check the plumbing and ventilation systems to ensure they’re functioning properly.
- Discuss how to handle the security deposit. Will you wait until the lease expires, or will you get your portion back right now?
Clearing up these matters before departing guarantees that everyone is on the same page. In return, this will help you avoid legal trouble and hefty deductions down the road.
Review Your Tenancy Agreement
It’s important that you do this before making any decisions. Some joint rental agreements include sections that specify what happens when one member relocates before the lease expires.
In certain cases, you could be allowed to end the tenancy early without breaking the agreement. In others, you could be liable for rent until a new renter is found or until the contract expires.
The leasing agreement should also outline the proper steps for handling the security deposit, in addition to the kind of notice you have to give.
Reviewing the contract carefully enables you to follow the correct procedures so you can avoid any unpleasant surprises later on.
Give Notice to Your Landlord
Giving official notice to your proprietor is the next step. The lessor has to know that you’re leaving, even if your housemates are willing to cover your portion of the rent.
Normally, you have to provide at least one month’s notice. However, it pays to double-check your lease, as it could state otherwise.
Make sure you notify the proprietor in writing and save a copy in case you need it later.
They will likely schedule a meeting with your housemates to discuss how the rent will be paid if you’re departing before the lease expires. Moreover, they will probably discuss whether a new person will be brought in to replace you.
Find a Replacement Tenant
If your original contract requires that you locate a replacement tenant before your departure, you will have to discuss this with your lessor and housemates.
Start your search early, as finding a new renter could take some time. Any potential candidate will need the owner’s green light. They will likely have to pass the same checks and references you did when you first moved in.
Additionally, it’s absolutely vital to ensure that the new resident is fully aware of the obligations of a joint tenancy. They have to understand their duties regarding the maintenance of the property, bills, and rent.
Once you have a candidate, they will either be included in the current lease or sign a new one, depending on the lessor’s preferences.
Plan for End of Tenancy Cleaning
Leaving the place in good shape is one of the most critical elements in this situation. This is where planned tenancy cleaning comes in.
Proprietors usually carry out a thorough inspection of the premises at the end of a lease term. Unless the property is well-kept, you will surely face conflicts and hefty deductions.
Here’s why you need to schedule tenancy cleaning:
- It guarantees that the state of your residence is up to the landlord’s standards.
- It prevents arguments concerning the security deposit’s refund.
- It leaves the place in a decent enough state for both the next tenant and the current occupants.
You could split the expense of a cleaning service when the lease expires if you’re moving out, but your flatmate is staying put. This helps guarantee that they are going to retrieve the whole deposit and give you back your share.
Moreover, a professionally-trained cleaning crew will take care of gruelling chores, such as deep cleaning the kitchen and bathrooms. This, in return, will leave you with plenty of time to think about other moving logistics.
Deal with the Security Deposit
If you’re leaving before the tenancy termination date, the security deposit can pose a challenging problem.
Usually, the deposit is not refunded until the conclusion of the lease term. So, you might have to wait until your housemates leave before receiving your portion back.
However, in some cases, the current residents agree to pay the leaving individual their share of the deposit upfront. Then, they settle it with the lessor at the end of their lease.
Be sure to record any arrangements you make regarding this matter in writing to keep things crystal clear and avoid any hiccups later on.
Conclusion
Although leaving a shared rental agreement can seem challenging, it becomes much easier with clear communication and proactive preparation.
By being open with your housemates, checking your agreement, and keeping your landlord updated, you will make the transition smooth for everyone involved.
Additionally, you must try your best to keep the property well-maintained. This helps sort out any issues with the proprietor and prevents deposit conflicts, especially when the time comes for that dreaded inspection.
So long as you follow the correct procedures, you will keep your lessor and housemates happy and leave the place in good nick for whoever comes next.