Advice on tenancy agreement

offbeatgirl

Hi all,

I'd appreciate some advice on the tenancy agreeement I've received. It gives the address of the Letting Agent, but only gives the name of the landlord. Am I correct in thinking that an AST should also give the address of the landlord?

I was also surprised to find that, according to the tenancy agreement, rent is to be paid by banker's order each month (a service which my bank charges £10 each time for). I've rented for a number of years and have always paid rent by standing order. Is it unreasonable to ask for payment to be delivered via standing order? The LA did not bother to credit check me, so I wonder if they use the bankers' draft as an easy way to ensure that the money will be there (I wonder what their admin fee actually pays for!)

Thanks

princeofpounds

Am I correct in thinking that an AST should also give the address of the landlord?

Yes, but not necessarily home address. It has to be an address valid for service of legal notices.

When you are a tenant, if you request this address in writing the agent has to respond withing 21 days or is committing an offence.

Is it unreasonable to ask for payment to be delivered via standing order?

No. Asking for banker's orders is just plain weird.

GAM_2

princeofpounds wrote: »

Yes, but not necessarily home address. It has to be an address valid for service of legal notices.

When you are a tenant, if you request this address in writing the agent has to respond withing 21 days or is committing an offence.


No. Asking for banker's orders is just plain weird.

Whilst the 1st quote is correct, if the Letting Agent is managing the property on behalf of the landlord then it only needs to contain the address of the Letting Agent. The Letting Agent then would receive any legal notices should they need to be served.

With the 2nd quote I think this is just purely an old AST that has yet to be updated with new banking terms. :eek:

offbeatgirl

Ok, thanks both. I'll check that it is the LA who manage the property before I sign. It is quite a long-established and small estate agency where the bulk of the business seems to be sales rather than lettings - perhaps no one has challenged the bankers draft clause before?

Fire_Fox

Remember that with a standing order you are responsible for making sure the rent clears the landlord's/ agent's account by rent day even when there are weekends or bank holidays, it cannot simply leave your account on rent day. That may mean you have to pay a couple of weeks earlier, can you afford this? Have you asked for a breakdown of what the admin fee covered?