How long are private sector tenancies normally?
The large majority of landlords will expect students to sign up to a 12 month contract for accomodation. Though some will offer 9, 10 and 11 month contracts, these are not as common. Notwithstanding any mitigating circumstances or negociations with your landlord, you would be liable for the full rent of your tenancy. For students living in lodgings, though a landlord might stipulate a minimum expected length of tenancy there is not normally a stongly defined period of stay. If you wish to leave your lodgings you are only legally required to give ‘reasonable notice’ before leaving, which, depending upon the frequency of your rent installments, could be a week or a month. Nonetheless, it is good practice and common courtesy to be honest and frank about the expected period which you intend to stay.
