Amending a tenancy agreement

[Alex_Ma]

Hello,

I am renting a property in Tai Po with a colleague but I am looking to move back to London in the coming months. I have already technically moved out of the apartment and in with another friend. My flatmate had already agreed to the move and had paid me back my half of the security deposit for the flat which we initially shared.

When trying to contact my landlord about the change, he is fine with it but I want to amend the contract so I am no longer legally bound to the property. He said that we can just cross out my name on the contract, sign next to it, and let that be that. He makes it sound ridiculously easy, but I want to know whether that is legally sound? I don't want to move back to London only for some tenancy-related issue to bite me and create more fuss.

Thanks,

Alex

[wtbhotia]

1. if your moving back to London, it will NOT come to bite you on your arse.
2. if both tenancy agreements have your name crossed out and signed by both parties, its still OK, just make sure you keep a copy of it also with the LL signed on it and yourself.

[Alex_Ma]

Thanks for the prompt reply!

How come it won't come back to bite me? I'm a permanent resident in HK.

So crossing it out is ok, but doesn't it just seem a little flimsy if ever used on a legal basis?

Thanks,

Alex

[Adore]

So crossing it out is ok, but doesn't it just seem a little flimsy if ever used on a legal basis?

I've done the same thing on a few occasions with employment and service contracts for and with large companies. It's not ideal but it was easier than reprinting and resigning everything just for a small change that both parties agreed to.

If I were you I probably wouldn't even have told the landlord and let my (trusted) flatmate deal with it.

[Alex_Ma]

If I were you I probably wouldn't even have told the landlord and let my (trusted) flatmate deal with it.

I know what you mean but I've seen too many estate agents and landlords who are more than willing to screw you over to want to leave Hong Kong with something so flimsy. It's not that I don't trust my flatmate, but I just don't want to have to deal with anything further down the line when I cannot physically do so in person

Alex