Admin Fees for renewing rental of flat

Wee_Willy_Harris

bazzaboo wrote: »

Been in exactly the same situation as you. I called the LL and we agreed that I will stay on a periodic tenancy.
My LA were even craftier though and served me a S21 without even telling the LL then wrote to me that they're happy to renew for another 6 mths, just sign here and send a hefty fee. And if I don't sign and pay the S21 will be enforced and I would have to get out end of fixed term.

I hope you didn't pay!!

bazzaboo

No I didn't,I took advice from this site and sorted it with the LL direct who was not happy what the LA did.

<sebb>

Make sure you write to the landlord and tell them about the letting agent's behaviour. A decent landlord would be appalled by this.

I'd also be minded to write to the LA and tell them that you will only deal with them in writing from now on. You should not have to deal with verbal assaults from a so called professional.

Are the lettings agent a member of ARLA or other regulatory body? If so, I'd be tempted to write a formal complaint.

G_M

You've had good advice above. To sum up:
1) do not feel forced to sign a new contract.
2) Do not pay any agency fee
3) Do write to the LL to a) complain about the agent b) say you'd like to continue as a periodic tenant and c) to complain about the fee
4) Do write to the agent complaining about harrasment (It's a criminal offence) and insisting they communicate in writing only in future
5) Do not worry about your deposit.

morticia1955

Thank you to everyone who replied to my post, it has put my mind at rest. I have not paid and I won't be paying either. I was shocked at the way she was shouting at me down the phone and couldn't help wondering if any other people were in the lettings shop at the time, I also wonder how she would have treated me if I had visited the shop to talk to her about it.
The verbal attack from the manager was totally uncalled for and I am going to write to the head office to complain about her. I will take advice from here and write to the LA request all future correspondence is to be made to me in writing as I refuse to accept bullying tactics over the phone.
What a day...but many thanks to all of you.
I will let you know of any further developements. I have a feeling I haven't heard the last of this.

DVardysShadow

morticia1955 wrote: »

Thank you to everyone who replied to my post, it has put my mind at rest. I have not paid and I won't be paying either. I was shocked at the way she was shouting at me down the phone and couldn't help wondering if any other people were in the lettings shop at the time, I also wonder how she would have treated me if I had visited the shop to talk to her about it.
The verbal attack from the manager was totally uncalled for and I am going to write to the head office to complain about her. I will take advice from here and write to the LA request all future correspondence is to be made to me in writing as I refuse to accept bullying tactics over the phone.
What a day...but many thanks to all of you.
I will let you know of any further developements. I have a feeling I haven't heard the last of this.

I see where you are coming from with a complaint. But actually this 'manager' is so far beneath contempt that I would not do that - she is her employer's problem and she will probably run herself off the rails soon enough. Although I would complain to the Landlord.

All I would do is laugh at her, "you are the silly manager who gets above herself and has a tantrum and makes threats about my deposit which you are absolutely powerless to carry out. Speak to you? No thanks." Just don't take her seriously and ask to speak to the office junior because you want to speak to someone sensible.

MatB

bazzaboo wrote: »

My LA were even craftier though and served me a S21 without even telling the LL then wrote to me that they're happy to renew for another 6 mths, just sign here and send a hefty fee. And if I don't sign and pay the S21 will be enforced and I would have to get out end of fixed term.

Cheeky monkeys. Your Move had a nice one(presumably still) going - issue the Section 21 with the original letting agreement.

I guess it's a case of whether you think they'll go through with it.

morticia1955

Thanks again for the replies....your's DVardysShadow made me smile..x
While I was at work today the LA left a message on my voicemail asking me to ring them regarding my Tenancy Agreement. They didn't give me any clue as to what it is about.....however, because we are not allowed our phones in work I didn't see the voicemail until 5:30pm when I finished work.
I am going to write a letter to ask for all contact to be done via letter as I don't wish to speak to the manager after her unprofessional outburst on the phone.
So, watch this space.....

I forgot to mention, my contract says after the initial six months the tenancy reverts to a periodic tenancy. So hopefully this is in my favour.

princeofpounds

I forgot to mention, my contract says after the initial six months the tenancy reverts to a periodic tenancy. So hopefully this is in my favour.

Well it helps, but it's not even necessary, happens automatically by law

I would second (or third!) the advice to write to your landlord direct to inform them of events. There is a good chance they don't even know what the LA is doing. Mind you, they might not be expert enough to really understand without some explanation. But it could be worth doing because one dodgy LA tactic is to tell a different story to the LL who could then authorise them to make you leave without hearing your side of the story.

morticia1955

Hi Guys..
I got a letter today from my LA stating as follows:
We are writing to let you know your fixed tenancy agreement is now ended and your tenancy will be on a periodic basis. The same terms and conditions apply and the document you have is still valid.
As per telephone conversation you have refused to pay the renewal fee which is payable by every tenant who stays on at a property and we have never had any problem in them paying it. We will not be drawn into any argument with you and if and when you decide to move out to a council property for which we gave you a reference free of charge then could we have one months notice in writing as per your tenancy T&C's.....................

They didn't give me a reference I popped in a few weeks ago as i have never had a breakdown of my payments so that is what i asked for. it was one sheet of paper with my rent payments and deposit printed on it..........

This is a copy of MY reply to the LA which i will post on Monday.

I am writing to acknowledge the letter I received from yourselves dated 13th January 2011.

The letter states that my fixed term tenancy has now been completed as per the terms and conditions stated in my tenancy agreement.
I am fully aware that this tenancy will continue on a periodic basis, as also stated in my terms and conditions.

The letter also states that the tenancy agreement I have is still valid, therefore there is no fee to be paid as there are no changes
to be made. I have to confirm that no reference was given to me for housing purposes as you state in your letter. I came to your office to collect a copy of my payments to date as up to that point I had not got this information. I have never (not would I) approach yourselves for a reference as this would never be needed I already have all the documents I need.

I am aware I need to give one months notice when I am ready to vacate the property and that you are required to give me two months notice for the same.

I spoke to the Deposit company who also informed me no monies can lawfully be deducted from my deposit without my express knowledge or consent, however, an amount may be put 'into dispute' if there are any disagreements between Letting Agents or tenants at this point.

As my rent is forthcoming on the due dates as required and the property would be left in a clean and undamaged condition upon vacating I do not see how this would be an issue.
I will of course take photographs of the property at any future handover for my own records.

I will take this opportunity to express my utter disbelief at the totally unprofessional outburst you made over the phone to myself recently.

This was completely uncalled for as I was merely stating what you have kindly confirmed in your letter to me.

I am surprised at your lack of customer service skills and can only be thankful for not calling into the office personally as I would have been in an extremely vulnerable position should this outburst of temper have been aimed at myself in person. I would respectfully request any further contact with myself now be made via letter or you may email me at the address below. I will not accept your verbal attacks either by phone contact or in person.
Yours respectfully