Is this legal?

cogburn

Hi everyone.
I was just wondering if anyone had come across anything like this before.

I'm in the 3rd year of tenancy on a 2 bed flat. My present tenancy started in Nov 2009, and i have an up to date agreement signed by the LL.
Last week i received a letter from the letting agent, stating that they were short of a copy of my tenancy agreement due to updating their filing system, and they had sent me 2 copies for me to sign and send one back to them.

After reading this `copy` i realised that they had made a number of changes, including supplying the landlord with valid credit/debit card details, allowing them to recover rent if it becomes 7 days overdue. Also included were a number of other charges not in the original tenancy.

Since i already have a legal tenancy agreement, i will certainly not be signing any new one. But i think it's pretty dodgy trying to pass off as a copy, an entirely new document.
Any thoughts would be great. Thanks.

chappers

You are correct no need to sign, if they need a copy tell them you will make a copy of yours for them, but that there will be an admin charge of £35 + VAT

poppy10_2

Don't sign it. TTFO.

Bunch of shysters.

G_M

chappers wrote: »

You are correct no need to sign, if they need a copy tell them you will make a copy of yours for them, but that there will be an admin charge of £35 + VAT

Agree entirely except that unless you are a business you can't charge them VAT!

BitterAndTwisted

Actually, considering how much agents rip off their tenants to renew agreements I think a charge of £35 is too cheap. Write back to the agents, not telling them you have the original signed agreement to hand and ask them what their current charges are for renewing a tenancy and then write back asking them for that sum.

dacouch

I think a trying this on deserves the naming of the letting agency, it may save someone else who is not as switched on as you signing the contract

gamez-over

This is certainly not right!! I'd confirm in writing to them that you will not be signing the agreement as you already have a valid one. I would also state that if they need a copy of the current agreement they should go to the landlord as technically the landlord is their client.

SouthCoast

Yet another greedy. lazy, incompetent letting agency story hits this board.

cogburn

Thanks for all your replies.
The name of the company is The Haywoods Group. Quite a lot of properties in South London.
I will be writing a strongly worded letter to them!