Ending Your Tenancy Early (Novation)
Ending Your Tenancy Early (Novation Process)
Different Types of Tenancy
You can either have a fixed term tenancy, or a monthly rolling tenancy.A fixed term tenancy is just that, the length of the tenancy is fixed, and neither you nor your landlord can easily end it.
A periodic (or monthly rolling) tenancy has no set end date, either the landlord or tenant can give notice to end the tenancy.
Ending a Fixed Term Tenancy
Landlords can end a fixed term tenancy by seeking a court order if you have breached the terms of your tenancy.
Tenants can not end a fixed term tenancy, other than with the consent of the landlord, which they will not normally give unless you or they find a replacement tenant.
Ending a Periodic Tenancy
At the end of a fixed term tenancy, if a new fixed term tenancy is not agreed by the landlord and tenants, it becomes a monthly rolling, or periodic tenancy without a fixed end date.Normally tenants can give the landlord one months' notice to end it, and landlords can give two months' notice to end the tenancy.
There is a set format that landlords must use to provide that notice, which until the 1st May 2026 is called a Section 21 Notice.
Helping You End Your Fixed Term Tenancy
If for whatever reason you wish to end your fixed term tenancy agreement you must find a replacement tenant, but there are some conditions to this:
- Your housemates must agree to accept this replacement tenant
- The replacement tenant must provide equal or better security, i.e. have a suitable credit rating and passes referencing, or a guarantor who passes the income and credit checks.
- The process of setting up Novation Agreement (the document which will transfer your contractual obligations to the new tenant) may take a number of days. Your obligations are not transferred until that process is completed, and it is not guaranteed that once started it will be completed.
- You must never give your keys to another tenant until Purple Frog have confirmed the process has been completed successfully.
Finding A Replacement Tenant
You can ask Purple Frog to advertise your room for you. We charge 50% of one months' rent, minimum £295 for this service, only payable when a replacement tenant is found.We offer no guarantees to find a replacement tenant. For student accommodation, there are times of the year where it is almost impossible to find a replacement tenant, we take no liability or responsibility if we are unable to find someone to take your place.
We often find that tenants are best placed to find a replacement tenant themselves, talking to friends, posting on social media etc.
Fees
If you ask us to find a replacement tenant, the letting fee will apply if we find a tenant, this is 50% of one months' rent, minimum £295 inc VAT.
Whether you or we find a replacement tenant, there is a Novation Fee (as set out in your tenancy agreement). The novation fee is £125 per tenant changing, plus £10 per tenant on the tenancy agreement over one.
For example, if you ask us to find a replacement tenant for you, and your rent is £500pcm on a three person tenancy, and we find the replacement tenant, the fees will be:
Let Only Fee: £295 Novation Fee: £145 Total: £440 inc VAT
There is a form to complete if you wish for us to advertise your property or let us know you're looking to move out.