Rental Agent asking for Rent 2 weeks early due to their New Year Hols

DVardysShadow

mariaadam wrote: »

Hi again!!

With reference to you renewing your tenancy every 6 months ask if you can do it for 12 months if you plan on staying there or possibly but a break clause in. If you keep paying the fee every 6 months they will keep charging you - its easy money for them!

We have many clients that also pay by cash like you but this is something we do to help the clients, it actually says in their contract they are suppose to pay by direct debit or standing order.

Let me kneo if you need anything further

You imply that you work in a Lettings Agency. It is strange that you are so ignorant of Tenancy Law.

ThrowingStonesAtYou

Another absolute farce from some jumped up letting agent chavs who have no GCSEs and think they are important. Tell them to f*** off. You are in a business contract, they cannot dictate crap made up on the spot to you.

I would ask them for a copy of their accounts as asking for an advance on payment is something often done by those living beyond their financial means - I would say you are concerned that due to their apparent financial irregularities you are worried about the safety of your money in their hands.

My letting agent has recently started adding a new line to their letters requesting inspections that if I don't reply and they turn up and can't get in I will be fined £20 + VAT. I'm waiting for them to mention this to me verbally so I can tell them straight out to f*** off and tell them a few home truths. W@nk3rs.

theartfullodger

You imply that you work in a Lettings Agency. It is strange that you are so ignorant of Tenancy Law.

What is strange about that?? Surely it is, sadly, what most people expect of Lettings agency staff... (There are of course good agencies...)

At the risk of repeating myself, to be a letting agent ...
a) You need no qualifications (of any sort..)
b) You do not have to be regulated...
c) You do not have to be registered with anyone ...
d) You do not need to be Criminal Records checked...

Anyone posting on MSE can become a Lettings Agent in 60 minutes: Quicker if you try hard!

Cheers!

Lodger

ThrowingStonesAtYou

theartfullodger wrote: »

What is strange about that?? Surely it is, sadly, what most people expect of Lettings agency staff... (There are of course good agencies...)

At the risk of repeating myself, to be a letting agent ...
a) You need no qualifications (of any sort..)
b) You do not have to be regulated...
c) You do not have to be registered with anyone ...
d) You do not need to be Criminal Records checked...

Anyone posting on MSE can become a Lettings Agent in 60 minutes: Quicker if you try hard!

Cheers!

Lodger

I became a letting agent quicker than that, I became one in the 10 seconds it took to read your post, it occured to me that if there are no requirements or skills then I am already one :think:

theartfullodger

I became a letting agent quicker than that, I became one in the 10 seconds it took to read your post, it occured to me that if there are no requirements or skills then I am already one

- You are clearly overqualified for the job...

mariaadam

Please refer to which section of the tenancy law you are referring to? I was simply offering advice which is based on my experience, being the in the housing industry for 8 years.

Also, I agree that some agents have no rules or regulations so it is advisable to use a reputable agent. My colleagues have to go through strict exams so its not really fair to tar all with the same brush.

It sounds like you have had a bad run with you letting agents so Im sorry you felt it necessary to have a rant at me. However, we are all here to help each other so maybe think before you write.

Kind regards

mariaadam

Hi Olivia,

Yes it is definately worth mentioning. If you can possibly speak to the landlord directly, if the agent isnt willing to do it for you, that may be better.

If you have been in the property a while then the landlord is probably happy for you to pay him directly and it will save you the money. If not, say that you want a 12 months contract minimum.

The only issue you may have is if the landlord pays management fees to the estate agent but if you have never been a problem tenant....then I am sure the landlord won't want to lose a good tenant.

m x

theartfullodger

Maria asked....

Please refer to which section of the tenancy law you are referring to?

Well, she stated...

Another alternative would be to contact the landlord directly but that depends on the tenancy agreement

er, no: A tenant has the absolute legal right to contact the landlord directly, regardless of what the contract says: The contract can even have a clause stating "The Tenant agrees not to contact the Landlord", but that clause would be found unlawful and invalid.

(Relevant sections of tenancy law would include, amongst others, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 Section 1 and section 48 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1987)

Cheers!

Lodger

DVardysShadow

mariaadam wrote: »

Please refer to which section of the tenancy law you are referring to? I was simply offering advice which is based on my experience, being the in the housing industry for 8 years.

Also, I agree that some agents have no rules or regulations so it is advisable to use a reputable agent. My colleagues have to go through strict exams so its not really fair to tar all with the same brush.

It sounds like you have had a bad run with you letting agents so Im sorry you felt it necessary to have a rant at me. However, we are all here to help each other so maybe think before you write.

Kind regards

I definitely thought before I wrote. You remember what you know full well before you write. I was referring to the well known Statutory Periodic Tenancy

Your advice "With reference to you renewing your tenancy every 6 months ask if you can do it for 12 months if you plan on staying there or possibly but a break clause in. If you keep paying the fee every 6 months they will keep charging you - its easy money for them!", while true, is downright deceitful if you do not mention the Statutory Periodic tenancy. And if you have been in the Housing Industry for 8 years, I have no hesitation in writing in such strong terms. It is not a case of 'You should know better', because you will know about the Statutory Periodic Tenancy.

Personally, I have only ever dealt with 1 LA and found them reputable. They informed me about the Statutory Periodic Tenancy. You are not a patch on all the Letting Agents I have ever dealt with.

DVardysShadow

theartfullodger wrote: »

Maria asked....


Well, she stated...

er, no: A tenant has the absolute legal right to contact the landlord directly, regardless of what the contract says: The contract can even have a clause stating "The Tenant agrees not to contact the Landlord", but that clause would be found unlawful and invalid.

(Relevant sections of tenancy law would include, amongst others, Landlord and Tenant Act 1985Section 1 and section 48 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1987)

Cheers!

Lodger

But she has 8 years experience, Lodger! Surely the law is wrong?