As I already mentioned, based on the current job situation my accomodation became unstable. Let me explain.

When I came to Ipswich, I signed a 6 months fixed term contract (I was such a fcking idiot) for the flat I am living in, which will expire at the end of April.

(In my defense I Was not informed totally about the conditions at the beginning) 

Two months before the expiration, my agent asked me if I wanted to continue and sign for another 6 months minimum stay contract, which can be rolled over each month, when the term ends. 

I told them, because of the job insecurity I do not want to sign another 6 Months minimum term, because I was not sure If I will be there for another 6 months. I asked them if we could just make changes on my current contract and rollover the agreement with a two months notice period, as they would do with any other contracts normally.

Well, what can I say... Every agency would have been happy to do that, but mine. 

I could only negotiate a 4 Month extension with them with a 2 Month notice period, and that is all. They did not want to rollover my current contract. I tried everything, tried to explain, if I have signed a "normal" contract with them at the beginning (normal contact have the 6 Months minimum stay also), I would be able to rollover month-by-month after the first 6 Months pass, without signing another term.

But they did not care. I realized there are many flats on the market right now, as the unemployement rates increased in Suffolk, people are left to their own country, so I was not sure if they were only bluffing to get me to sign for another 6 Months, or they were really that stupid to be threatened by my negative decision.

I told them, I did not think any landlord would want their flat vacant, even for a day, and as I Was a good tenant, always payed well in time, etc, did not understand why the landlord wanted another 6months contract "security" more, than having me in the flat as long as it possible. I don't understand why someone wants to find a new tenant, risking the flat to be vacant in these "credit crisis days", and why they don't want to keep the current paying tenant as long as possible. The landlord should not have been worried at all, because the notice period would have tied me to the flat anyway, but NO, they DID NOT WANT THIS.

I have checked some flats around the same area, but acting as "new" customer to these agencies everybody wanted me to sign a normal contract included the 6 Months minimum. (And these flats were a bit more expensive). 

At the end I agreed with my agents, after long phone conversations, about a 4 Month extension of my current contract, with a 2 Month notice period. For now this is the best I could negotiate. The downside of this, that I had to pay the 4 months rent in advance, to assure the landlord, I will not just disappear. (I don't understand why the landlord is so paranoid to have this assurance, as the contract would have assured him anyway)

I felt and feel myself like an unwanted person in the flat, however I was an example tenant for the last 6 Months here. The funny thing, that at the end of June, which is the half term of my extension, I will have to notify them whether I wanna stay, and sign a "contract", or wanna leave, and hand in my notice 2 months in advance. 

I really hope, by that time, I will have the job security I am waiting for, and I Will be able to leave, and find a better flat, where the agents are really willing appreciate good tenants.

And of course, for making a 3 sentences long (not lawyer created) "contract extension document", I had to pay £65

You could ask, why I did not decide to move. It is not that easy. 

1. We love our current flat, love the current location, and already settled in

2. Pricewise it is perfect

3. Secured parking

4. Moving always cost a lot of money, also a lot of hassle about changing the address everywhere and get lost in official procedures. 

We did not want to do that. Also, we haven't been at home for a long time. And if we had to move at the end of April, we could have stucked here for another couple months without going home. Anyway, it was a very difficult decision to make, and with this extension, we get ourselves some time to think about the future, and let time to my job to be secured again. 

And just to inform you about the normal procedures how it goes in Suffolk.

You go to the rental agent, and you signed a so called "6 Months contract". (This mean, you can not leave before the 6 Months, even if you move, you will have to pay the rent until the 6 months passes). IF you passed the 6 Months, the contract automatically rolles over month-by-month, with a 1 or 2 Month notice period, depending on agreement.

The Hickup with my contract I Signed, as my agents insist, that it was a fixed-term contract, with no option for rollover. What I Don't understand, if they can extend it legally with 4 Months, why they can not make the option for rollover?

Because they just don't want to.

Anyway, everybody is advising me to find another flat with a more flexible agents, and maybe this is what I will do when my extension period passes.