Thanks! Whilst I understand this, he also needs to be reasonable in terms of what he charges as an administration fee as the new tenant was found within the same day as the flat was advertised. Therefore I cannot understand what the £465 covers as emails cannot cost much nor can local phone calls ... of which there haven't been many ... and also he may have made international phone calls which again I know do not add up to this amount as I know the country he is calling and all the charges related to this country. I have asked twice for copies of invoices and receipts for these charges but I am yet to receive them. There needs to be a degree of compromise of which the only thing he has done is allow me to break the contract on the provision another tenant is found.

Hi Aequitas, the exact wording in the break clause is as follows: After an initial term for four months the agreement may be terminated by either the Landlord or the Tenant by serving two months notice in writing save notice cannot be given where the tenancy will expire between 15th November and 31st January However as it is a fixed term agreement the estate agents who prepared the tenancy agreement crossed out this clause and made me initial as there is not supposed to be a break clause. The landlord will release me from the contract providing he found a new tenant which he has now done and they are in the process of signing the new let which should start from the 1st of September. I have paid rent until the 3rd of September which he won't refund yet I am liable to pay for any costs associated with finding a new tenant (which I understand is my responsibility) - he is charging me a £465 administration cost which I don't know what for nor have I any breakdowns even though I have asked for them consistently. Thanks!

Thanks Nightmare4banks ... I'm waiting on the receipts and invoices from the landlord which I have asked for twice now before sitting down with a solicitor but I do find that £465 is quite excessive for his costs when all he did was send a couple of emails and make a few phone calls. I am fully aware and accept that I am liable for the costs of re-letting the flat and am happy to pay them however when he is obviously being quite unfair in terms of what he feels is reasonable then I have an issue with it. Thanks again for all your advice and points with regards to my issue!

Thanks MrShed ... it certainly seems as if there are a few extra words thrown in there than is necessary to possibly confuse the tenant! I shall keep it in mind ... thinking I may just sit down with a solicitor and run through the entire contract and get everything double checked

Nightmare4banks ... I have asked for copies of invoices or receipts for both the re-letting fees as well as the so called administration fee. The landlord has advised that they will be forthcoming once he receives them from the agent. I have advised the landlord that I shall be reviewing them with my solicitor. I chased the landlord on Monday regarding getting everything in writing releasing me from the contract and whether or not the lease has been signed and deposit paid. I was advised this should be happening this week. I will chase with the agent on Friday before contacting the landlord again and asking for this. Will definitely take photos as I don't really trust the landlord anymore. There is a clause in the agreement as follows: "As soon as practicable after the determination of the tenancy (howsoever the same may be determined) the Landlord shall retain (and account to the Tenant for) such part of the deposit as the Landlord shall deem necessary to enable the Landlord as at the date of such determination to make good any breach or non-compliance by the Tenant with his obligations hereunder and to pay all costs charges and expenses incurred in connection therewith including the Agent's reasonable fees, disbursements and loss of rental income and shall account to the Tenant for any balance of such sum and if the deposit shall be insufficient for the purpose aforesaid the Tenant shall pay to the Landlord forthwith on demand such further sum as shall be required for such purposes." The re-letting costs are 10% of the total re-letting costs which he has advised to me would be £824.84. I have the costs he is charging in writing and nothing further.

Hi Nightmare4banks Thanks for your advise and response. You have confirmed my thoughts with regards to the two tenancies running at the same time - the flat is a 1bedroom flat and therefore no shared rooms and facilities. Everyone I have mentioned the administration charge has advised that it is extremely high with some letting agents only charging around £140 however they have also said that he can charge what he likes! The property was found through an agent however it is a private let and there was no inventory done and rent is paid directly to the landlords who are actually in Australia travelling and their father is managing the property. I do not have anything from him in writing confirming that the new tenant has signed the lease and the paid the deposit. Only an email saying that a new tenant has been found and that I would need to move on the 1st of September. Thanks!

Hi Nightmare4banks, The agreement I signed was dated the 3rd of February 2007 - the morning I was actually do to move into the flat. Thanks for your help!

Hello, In February this year I signed a 13mth fixed term agreement for a 1bedroom flat. Unfortunately due to personal family issues I am required to return to Australia and therefore needed to break the lease. I gave the landlord 2.5mths notice and he advised that he will release me from the lease if they can find someone to take over the tenancy for a 6mth let. In doing this I would be liable for the re-letting costs and any landlord administration fees that are charged which I am legally obliged to do as per the terms of my tenancy agreement. My deposit (£1620) more than covers this amount (£825 re-letting costs and £465 administration fees) and I would expect a refund of the remaining amount. The landlord called to advise that a new tenant has been found and they would like me to vacate the property by 1st September. I am happy to do this however I have paid rent up to the 3rd of September and he is refusing to provide a refund for the unused days. He is charging me £465 administration costs which I have been told is quite high from various different estate agents but he is entitled to charge what he likes. I'd like to know if he is legally allowed to keep the 3days unused rent from 1-3Sep which I have paid even though I will be moving out on the 31st of August and a new tenant moves in on the 1st of September? As per the terms of the lease agreement all charges which I am liable for are to be taken from my deposit. Please can someone advise me on how to proceed with this matter as this is causing me no end of stress now? Thank you! :-?