I am currently subject to a fixed-term joint tenancy (assured shorthold) agreement with two other tenants. One of the joint tenants wishes to exit the tenancy early. The tenancy agreement describes the procedure for leaving the tenancy before the end of the fixed term:
9 DEALINGS
9.1 The tenant must not assign the Property or any part of it although the Tenant may assign the whole of the Property after the first 3 months of the Term has expired subject to first obtaining the Landlord's written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).
9.2 Where one or more of the individuals comprising the Tenant (the Outgoing Tenant) wishes to leave before the end of the Term and has found another person or persons (the New Tenant) acceptable to both the Landlord and the remaining individual or individuals comprising the Tenant (the Remaining Tenant), the Outgoing Tenant and the Remaining Tenant may assign the Property to the Remaining Tenant and the New Tenant subject to first obtaining the Landlord’s written consent (such consent not to be unreasonably withheld).
9.3 The Landlord may reasonably withhold consent in these particular circumstances if, amongst other matters:
(a) The New Tenant (or where appropriate any individual comprising the New Tenant) is not a student pursuing a course of study at an education establishment or will not become such a student within 3 months of the date of assignment; or
(b) The New Tenant (or where appropriate any individual comprising the New Tenant) has not produced satisfactory financial and personal references; or
(c) The Remaining Tenant (or where appropriate any individual comprising the Remaining Tenant) informs the Landlord that the New Tenant (or where appropriate any individual comprising the New Tenant) is not acceptable; or
(d) The Landlord is reasonably of the opinion that the New Tenant (or where appropriate any individual comprising the New Tenant) would be incompatible with the Remaining Tenant (or where appropriate any individual comprising the Remaining Tenant).
9.4 The Tenant must not sublet or part with or share possession of the Property or any part of it.
However the candidate replacement tenants have not been acceptable to either me or the other remaining tenant. The letting agent has informed us that once three candidates have been nominated by the tenant wishing to leave the agreement, we must accept one of the candidates. This "three candidate" rule is not in the tenancy agreement.
Can a letting agent change a tenancy agreement without the consent of the tenants in this way?
Thank you.