Letting agents won't give me details of where deposit is??

martindow

I think I would have severe doubts about the competence of your LA. Have you checked they have done an inventory, gas certificate, etc.

theartfullodger

martindow wrote: »

I think I would have severe doubts about the competence of your LA. Have you checked they have done an inventory, gas certificate, etc.

And the inspections they promised??

G_M

The OP says:

I recently rented out my apartment using a local lettings agency on a 'let only' basis.

I assume that to mean 'tenant-find' only? ie the agent finds the tenant but you manage the tenancy from then on. Is that correct? If so, what exactly did your agreement include?
Setting up the AST (they seem to have done this)?
Inventory? If not, did you do it?
Gas safety cert? If not did you do this?
EPC? if not, did you do it?

Or are the agents also managing the tenancy? Collecting rent? Dealing with repairs?

Do you have a full understanding of where their responsibility ends and yours begins?

As others have said, if they are managing the tenancy, I would sack them, after checking the terms in the agreement relating to termination of contract.

I would also make sure you understand what is involved with letting property so that
a) you can do it yourself or
b) if you continue to use this or another agent, you can check they are doing their job

The Complete Guide to Residential Letting

residential landlords association or National Landlords Association

You cannot just appoint an agent and then ignore everything except (hopefully) the monthly cheques, and assume the agent will do everything. You are ultimately responsible to the tenants, and also for complying with legislation (as you've found out with the deposit).

wiseguy2010

Yes, I paid them a one-off fee to:
1. find tenant (plus do all the background checks etc)
2. take the deposit
3. set up the AST
3. do the inventory

They have done all of the above. I arranged EPC myself which was free from the local authority. Gas safety cert was not required as have no gas in flat. LA are NOT managing the tenancy, Rent is paid directly from tenant to me. I have a copy of the inventory. There is no mention of periodic inspections in the AST but I have visited the tenants regularly to pick up post at their request.

Although I was given a contract to sign between me and the LA, I never actually got round to signing and returning it, so technically, there is no contract between me and the LA??