How to handle moving from one place to another...

[erniebert]

Hi all,

Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.

Myself and my fiance rented an apartment last Feb - it was the first time either of us had lived away from home. When our year's lease had expired, we convinced our landlady to let it roll on so we would just need to give her 4 weeks notice when we intended to leave.

We have started to get itchy feet and have seen a few places we like the look of but have yet to view them. We are reluctant to give our notice that we intend to move out until we know that we will get somewhere but most of the places we like are available immediately and we don't know if they'll be available in 4 weeks.

When other people are moving from a rolling agreement, do they rent their new place before leaving their old one, i.e. paying double rent for one month + 1 month's deposit on the new place?


I assume the best time to give notice is on the day we pay our rent?

Thanks in advance!

 

[dahamsta]

If you give the new landlords their deposit, they'll usually be happy to hold it while you serve out your notice. Your current landlord is likely to accomodate you too as long as you play fair. Before I tied down a house I moved 6 times in 5 years and it was usually less of an issue that I was expecting.

 

[Greta]

Have you somewhere you can stay for a short while in between the two rental places, if need be? For example, move back in with your respective families temporarily? If so, it might be best to give your notice and then look for a new place. Chances are you'll find something in a month but won't be under pressure if not, as you'll have somewhere to stay for a little while until you find a new place.

 

[Bronte]

but most of the places we like are available immediately and we don't know if they'll be available in 4 weeks.

Don't you think that fact that there are a lot of places available immediately means that a lot of places will be available when you have served your notice time. You have no need to worry. Serve our proper notice, look for a new place and agree with the new landlord that your starting date will more or less coincide with the end of your notice. To secure a place you do need a deposit.

 

[beffers]

If you give the new landlords their deposit, they'll usually be happy to hold it while you serve out your notice. Your current landlord is likely to accomodate you too as long as you play fair. Before I tied down a house I moved 6 times in 5 years and it was usually less of an issue that I was expecting.

I agree with this. Most landlords expect a 30 day notice of your intention to move out, otherwise you may lose your deposit. When you are out meeting potential new landlords, they will be presuming that their new tenant will be in a similar situation with their current landlord. I am sure that he/she would love to have a tenant who is willing to move in, and start paying rent the very next day, but they won't be expecting one. That is just not realistic. Any decent landlord will let you pay your deposit, and let you move in AFTER you have served your 30 notice period in your current place.

If you come across one that demands you move in immediately, run for the hills. If he is so cash strapped that he needs the rental money right now, you'll probably have little luck getting him to pay for any repairs that may need to be done while you are living in his place.

Best of luck to you.