first time letting with agency - am I being unreasonable?

mairi1234

Hi, I am moving out of town for 18 months so wanted to let my 1 bed flat through an agency. I approached them in mid october (having already obtained permission from my mortgage lender) with the hope that someone would be in by december. I signed a contract to be with them for minimum of 6 months.

There have been several viewings, probably just starting within the last 2 and a half weeks cos they didnt start advertising it until then for some reason, with 1 couple close to renting it out but pulling out at last minute.

Everytime they say they will phone me they never do, I have to chase them up if i want to know whats going on, then they cashed a cheque for £150(before having even had any viewings organised - for repairs and maintenance that may arise once the tenant is in!!). They advertise on a crappy website that I never heard of, and they havent bothered to ask if i wanted any piccies taken of flat - so none are on the website. When i asked them to drop the price from 525 to 500 to speed things along - they couldnt even be bothered to change it on the website. so now here i am, pretty short of cash as i am a final year student and my grants and loans are less for this year- probably no one will get in before xmas now and once it hits the new year it will start over again!

is this just the way things go or should i be thinking about trying to get out of this agreement?

its my own fault for picking the letting agency nearest to the flat - only 500 yards away so i thought that would make it handy

thanks for any advice

hells_2

Unless you've signed a Sole Agency agreement with this letting agent, then go elsewhere. If the other agent gets you a tenant, you simply ask for a refund of any monies the first agent has sat in their account.

Make sure they advertise on places like Rightmove, your local newspaper and their own website and window!

Jowo_2

Here's how to choose a good agent

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/agents.htm

theartfullodger

Check the agreement you signed & what fees they may charge if you cancel the agreement ... then, if feeling brave, walk in (ideally with a witness...) and wait politely, patiently & calmly & when asked if they can help you say "Yes, you're fired" and present them with a letter stating thus...

Hope it works out...


Cheers!

Lodger

adg1

I was under the impression that there is no sole agency involved in lettings - you can list your property with as many as you want. Check your agreement with the agency. I also don't get a contract for 6 months? Surely they just advertise it until they find you a tenant. Also 6 months is longer than most tie-ins for sole agency on the sale of properties and hence sounds pretty extortionate on theyr behalf!

Read your agreement with them and do as Lodger says and fire them as soon as you can. Or leave them going side by side with another agent that advertises on the normal channels who is more likely to get you viewings and offers.

Ask them to refund the £150 cheque now. They have no right to have cashed it as its for tenancy issues, and there is currently no tenancy!

Sounds like an awful agent. Instruct the largest agent in the area alongside them (as long as youtr contract allows) and take great pleasure in telling your current agent that x have let your house when they do and to give keys back.

tbs624

Jowo wrote: »

Here's how to choose a good agent

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/agents.htm

There are some good tips in there, however LLs shouldn't allow themselves to be lulled into a false sense of security

" Professional Associations: It's a very good sign if your agent is a member of one of the main professional associations. Look on their letter heads, letting boards and office windows to see if they are members. Professional associations such as these have strict codes of conduct as a requirement of membership. They will require agents to have: appropriately qualified staff, professional indemnity insurance in case of negligence on their part and cash deposit cover so that you know the tenant's deposit is safe no matter what."

Bet the LLs who used a Martins Franchise thought that membership of NALs was a good thingtoo see here


OP - if the LA is giving you the run around now before a T is even in place, you need to get shut . Imagine what sort of service they will provide, representing you , to the T.

Join a national LL association or a local affiliate, learn as much as you can about property letting so that you know exactly what your LA should be doing on your behalf. Follow up personal recommendations, and make it clear to them what service you want. Don't ever let an LA call the shots - you are paying them to do a job for you.