agent trying to charge me commision for letting tenancy run into periodic

Zelie

Might also want to send an email to NAEA informing them that their logo is being used to validate non-members. Hit 'em from both sides, as it were.

ncooper1974

A nice conclusion to this story (for Landlords at least).

Agency sneakily went behing my back and spoke to my tenants to see what their plans were. Got this email from them:
Dear Mr Cooper,
After speaking to your tenant yesterday they have stated that they wish to stay for a substantial period at flat XXX. We understand that the tenants are not vacating at the end of March therefore as the signed terms and conditions an invoice will be raised. As the tenancy is currently under a periodic term we would recomend we raise a new contract to protect your interests as under a periodic term the law sides strongly with the tenant. Under an Assured Shorthold tenancy the landlord is more protected. We await your instructions

I then immediately replied with this one:
Thank you for your email.

If you have discussed this with the tenants, then I am sure they have also told you that I had to make a substantial drop in rent to secure the tenants continued stay at my property. We have discussed this between us, and a Periodic Tenancy suits both our current needs, therefore I do not wish to raise a new contract, or indeed renew or extend my existing one.

You have played no part in persuading the current tenants to stay on, nor have you managed the relationship with my tenants which was a big factor in convincing the tenants to remain at the property.

As I have stated previously, unless you can supply evidence that you have renewed or extended the tenancy on my behalf, then I will not be paying your commision as this is an unfair term.

And this morning I got this:
Dear Mr Cooper,
I have spoken to the director of the company and we will not be pursuing this matter any further. We look forward to many future dealings.

Part of me is tempted to tell em that over my dead body were they actually going to get any commision from me, but at least the matter is now resolved.

bdl1brick

Well done, good result!

In future only use agents that will agree to intro only charges or get it in writing that there will be no ongoing charges.

FilthyLuka

Out of interest, do you know if the EA have tried the same fee earner with your tenants? Have the EA tried to squeeze them for 'renewal' fees?

ncooper1974

Interesting point. As far as I'm away, no.
But i'll fire off a quick email to find out.

I like the way he ends his email about hoping we'll have many future dealings together......in his dreams!!!

carolt

Interesting.

My landlady claimed the agency charged her the equivalent of a month's rent just to renew leases? Is this really true???

They don't manage the property at all, just get new tenants in and renew leases when they've run out.

Anyone?

I think my current landlady tells lots of porkies - is this one?

ncooper1974

I guess it must happen, otherwise the OFT wouldn't be taken Foxtons to court.
And in 8 years of being a landlord, this is the 1st time someone has tried to charge me when a tenancy goes periodic