Joint Tenancy contract

[Nic300888]

A month ago I began renting a 1 Bed flat with my partner. We signed a joint six-month contract to pay the �650pcm and as I am a full-time student some of this is covered by a guarantor. However, a week ago my partner left me and moved out with no intention of continuing his half of the rent. After speaking to the estate agents to discuss my options they told me that there is nothing I can do apart from fail to pay the rent, in which case both he and I, plus my guarantor will be taken to court, and we will lose our deposit. Court fees and admin fees will be added on, I will be evicted, and we will be liable to pay rent up until the day before a new tenant moves in to the flat. Even with earnings from a part time job It is impossible for me to pay the rent and bills alone. What can I possibly do?

[bednobs]

nothing really, except
appeal to the better nature of your garuntor (who certainly wont want debts hanging over their heads)
Get another job
find someone else who wants to rent the flat through the agency
appeal to the better nature of your b/f (although i suspect he wont want to be paying for somewhere he is not living)

[theonlyone]

how about getting a female to flat share ...
and tell the agent you want twin beds ..
if he wants a tenant he will do what ever
as we are in a credit crunch ..no one is
queueing to rent ...otherwise give a
months notice and move to something
cheaper ..

[theonlyone]

Sorry didn't realise you had a 6 month
contract ..so get some one flat share ..
and tell the agent what you want ..also
your agent is telling porkys ..it's too
expensive to go to court ....

[vehelpfulguy]

Surely if HE also signed the contract HE is duty bound to pay the rent for six months as well as you.

After all nobody fored him to sign it.

If he refuses take him to small claims court.

[buildersmate]

These contracts are typically on a 'joint and several' basis. Which means as it suggests - you and your former partner are both liable. But unfortunately the agent is likely to come after the easy option - which is likely to be the one with a (relatively wealthy) guarantor. You.
An unfortunate learning experience for you - hope it works out.

[jenty]

you have no choice but to pay up as its a legal contract...i was in the postion where i stood guarentor for my daughter and her partner they split up and the x stayed in the house but i was legally bound to pay up to the 6th month contract had ended..luckily the x moved some friends in and they paid the rent between them....i wouldnt do it again tho to much stress..