Letting agreement query- would a fee still be payable?

Del_Boy_Gupta

Hi there

I have been letting a property to a tenant for two years via 2 six month and 1 12 month contract through a letting agent.

the letting agent has let me down and also miscommunicated to the tenant.

As such if I wish to continue letting to the same tenant but need to do so via a new agreement (as the rent is increasing) do i Have to do this through the letting agent or can i do it myself?

If I do it myslef through the short form agreements available from bookshops can the letting agent still approach me for the letting fee?

Given it is 10% plus vat and they do nothing for it I really don't want to pay it.

If i do still have to pay it would the situation change were I to go into a periodic agreement with the tenant?

Incisor

Depends on the agreement you have with your agent. Unfortunately, we don't have a copy.

Chiltern

Very unlikely that you can wriggle from this one, letting agents are very cute about their fee's. Do however formalise your complaint as to how you feel they have broken their contract with you. If you can document/evidence the breach then they may well agree to withdraw from the contract thus allowing you to move forward without the agent. Be very sure about your new tenancy agreement when signing without the agent, you must protect your tenants deposit with a recognised Rent Deposit Scheme and as a Housing Needs Advisor... IF you ever want to end the tenancy be sure you tender legal notice, the amount of non compliant notices we see is quite incredible. Sorry for wondering off topic there...... I could bore you to death on the topic ;0)