Once you have signed the tenancy agreement you will technically be liable for the rent from the start date of the tenancy.
If you change your mind about the tenancy, or there are other reasons why you will not be able to move in, then you should seek to negotiate a surrender with the Landlord before the tenancy or renewal tenancy begins.
If you are unable to negotiate a surrender then you will be liable for the rent until the tenancy ends. If you do not pay the rent, then the landlord may make a claim in the small claims court for non-payment of rent.
In limited circumstances you may be entitled to “unwind” the contract. This option may be available if you signed the contract based on something that the landlord told you which subsequently turned out to be untrue. This may be a misleading action, misleading omission or an aggressive practice. If you believe that you were misled in this way, then you should tell the landlord this within 90 days of the start of the tenancy agreement. If the landlord does not accept this, then they may still pursue you for the missed rent.
In practice, it will not be beneficial for either the landlord or the tenant to be in a tenancy agreement if the tenant does not wish to continue. If possible, the best outcome will be to attempt to negotiate a surrender.
You can read about cancelling the process and surrendering the tenancy during Rent Now here.
Information on this site is by way of general guidance only and may not apply in your particular circumstances. You should not act or refrain from acting upon information on this site without seeking independent legal advice.