Signing Shorthold Tenancy

[Robbo4455]

Im looking to rent a property with 2 friends the agent wants me to sign now for a Tenancy commencement 1st Oct 2008, is this reasonable.Should we sign and one party changes their mind before the commencement what is the legal position.

[themas]

Is this a mis-type? Oct. 2008 is more than 12 months away. Anything could happen in that time - to you or to the property. Not at all a good idea to sign a contract (because that is what it is) with so much uncertainty.

[bednobs]

i assume 2007. Is it a student let? Its quite often to have them a fair way in advance, and if you leave it later you run the risk of not getting a place, or not getting the place you want. if you do decide to change your minds, you will be bound by the cntract, and the landlord could make you pay for however long that contract is for - perhaps a years rent. In practice, if they could get someone else before commencement you probably wouldnt have to pay but youd b taking a risk. If the 3 of you all sign seperatly, if 1 changes their mind they would be responsible for 1/3 of the rent presumaly, but in practice, would they pay it?

[cascarelli]

If you are signing to rent a property for some time in the future it would be only reasonable for the landlord or agent to take a holding deposit. This would normally be non refundable otherwise it would be pointless taking a deposit. I would imagine if one of the three of you changed their mind about it then they would lose their share of the deposit.

If you are actually signing the AST now then you would also be liable for rent up until the landlord or agent finds a new tenant if you changed your mind.