[mootje]

It is normal. I know some landlords even want you to rent for 24 months and let you leave after 18 months.
Especialy in the popular areas.

[jgl]

Originally Posted by mengano

I don't mean to screw anybody over. That's total BS. I want to understand how the system works. In other places that is common procedure. You leave the country, and you can interrupt any rental contract, providing you leave everything in order.

I will pay for every single month I occupy the flat. I just think it's bizarre they want me to pay a minimum of 14 months. But like you all say, I'd better find another flat, this one's already too difficult.

> I realize i would be in breach of contract. Would I be liable?

You've already admitted that you would be in breach of contract, so you are breaking the law. Contract law exists to protect all parties in a contract. How you reconcile what you'd like to do with behaving ethically is beyond me.

In my experience, "leaving the country" is not some kind of pass that lets you legally break a contract.

[KnowItAll]

>> let you leave after 18 months.

Only when the market rents are higher than your current contract and the increase covers all the costs related to re-renting the apt.

[Alby]

Definitely think you will be hard press to even find a LL that is willing to bear the re-rent costs.

Especially since most LL prefer 2 year leases agreements. The fact that the LL is even willing to consider a 14-month option is pretty good.

If you are a little put off by the 14-month request wait until an LL asks to for a copy of your employment contract to verify your employment and capability to pay the rent.

[timklip]

megano, you may have misunderstood the terms...every lease i've signed allows for the provision of 1 months notice by landlord or tenant in the 11th month, effectively ending the contract at the end of the twelfth month (one year fixed), with the two month deposit being returned subject to any damage caused by the tenant...my understanding is the two month deposit simply protects the landlord should you skip out during the first 12 months, giving them 2 months paid while finding a new tenant...it's not that you've now paid for fourteen months during which you have to remain in your flat...but that's just my take on it...has always worked for me (i've always got the two months dep. back, having moved 4 times in 4 years...)

[Claire ex-ax]

tim, I believe the landlord wants a 12-month fixed lease, thereafter two months' notice. 12 + 1 is very common, 12 + 2 less so.

[timklip]

i guess i Do have a lucky face then (that guy in Central was right)...always have had a great relationship with my LLs, able to work out great terms...

[MommyTo3]

We have the same, 2 year contract but would be able to break after 12 + 2 months. Very popular buidling basically without any vacancies, so it's take it or leave it, and most people take it. We got it repainted, redone floors, new a/c units, new washer / dryer, etc. I think it makes sense that the landlord wants a minimum commitment too.

[mengano]

Thanks much for your input, all of you. Including the ones who treated me as a crook.

The landlord ended accepting that 12+2 was an awkward request, and after he did request my employment contract and confirmed it was for one year only, he let go of that 2 extra month requirement.

Now I am a happy tenant.

As far as the law is concerned, I was told by another agent that leaving the country (changing your status) is grounds for interrupting a rental contract, providing you give the notice you previously agreed upon. I will research on it and get back to you.

[filishiaginder]

being a landlord myself, i can't say that 12+2 is uncommon. but most of the time you can find places for 11+1 contracts depending on how the real estate agent writes your contract.
also, given that you will be paying 2 months of rent as a deposit, most landlords will not go after you if you cease to pay rent at the end of the contract. the legal fees involved for the landlord will be higher than what it is worth.
not to encourage you to break your contract, but i had recently let a tenant go because he informed me that he will no longer be able to pay any rent. Of course, he did not get his deposit back.
best thing to do here is to find another place to live where the landlord will compromise on the length of the contract to 11+1 months.