Renting on 12 month basis-advice needed

[filthiestfis]

Im currently renting from private landlord via an agency, and this is the 9th month out of 12 month contract.
I have just received a form from the agency for me to send to them with my decision as to whether I wish to extend my contract for a further year, 6 months, or not at all.
I feel that it is far too early to make a decision and would prefer to have a look at other properties to rent around the area, and compare those to the current one I am renting. I would prefer to do that a month before the agreement I have now ends.
Surely it is a months notice I have to give?
Also, how does it work, when you want to view properties to rent, arent they always ones that are available to rent straightaway?
It seems pointless for me to go househunting right now when there are still 3 months left on my contract as nobody is going to want me to move in february!
Or have I got it wrong? When you look for a property, it is with the idea that you will be moving in immediately, right?

[sammmo]

my daughter has to sign saying she is willing to rent for another 6 months. but i've told her to say you want to stay there but don't want to get tied down for another 6 months but the agency said she had to spo she did.. so i'd like to know whether its binding or not.. just drag it out until 1 month before your tenency ends before sighning

[buildersmate]

You will need to look at the wording of your existing agreement to find out the terms, but I agree that it is most likely to be one month, as you say.
You aren't actually obliged to sign anything new - in that after the end of a fixed term (6 or 12 months) the tenancy will revert to a 'one month notice either way' arrangement if neither party do anything to renew the agreement.
Clearly your landlord is trying to force the issue with you, well before he actually has to, in the hope of getting early information about your intentions to stay or not.

[bushbaby_de]

Also even though you only have to give one month's notice to leave, if it is your landlord who ends the agreement he has to give you two months notice. Clearly he has a better chance of finding a new tenant the more time he has, so it sounds to me like he is gauging your intentions and may serve notice on you to leave instead. Even though in law you could just let the contract run, it is obviously better for him to have 12 months secured, so he may be trying to ensure this happens, whether with you or a new tenant.

[tamborine]

Finding new tenants for commercial properties takes longer than for private rentals. Assets/viability etc need researching by landlord before agreement and new leases drawn up etc. You have 3months reminder, when both you & landlord are researching alternative Agreements. If the landlord finds a more co-operative tenant he may rescind on you.

Make up your mind fast or your business could be in jeopardy.

[buildersmate]

Who said anything about business use? - this is house-renting.

[filthiestfis]

What business use? Im sure the landlady stands more to lose than I do so she should prefer to keep me as I have been a good tenant (I think)

[tamborine]

what I meant is that its easier to find tenants for private properties than for commercial. Both take time and advertising costs, credit research etc.