Letting agent charging 'renewal fee' for periodic tenancy

brians_daughter

mr_fishbulb wrote: »

Even if they had been the perfect tenant? You would gamble that for getting in someone else who couldn't pay, or would smash holes in the wall?

As already stated above our BTL are rented to a business so we do not rent to families/couples etc. Its used by a business to house their middle management staff when they travel to HQ for meetings/training courses etc. I imagine if one of their staff did that they would no longer have a job.

TBH a LL shouldnt have to worry about such events happening. Many of the LL's i know feel a LA is part of the process to ensuring these things are less likely to happen. Tenenats are vetted and referees sought?

Maybe a bit of a wet behind the ears way of thinking but of the several LL i know the only one i know whos had issues of this kind rented outside of a LA.

Anyway. i fear this has gone a little off topic to the Op's original query

mart.vader

brians_daughter wrote: »

No I never said they could. I meant 'they' as in collectively LL will undoubtidly take advice from LA whos version will be 'tenant will not sign new lease, they want to go month by month. We advise you to seriously look at letting us find you new tenants who are committed to your property' LL thinks... 'oh yeah, they're probably right - after all LA is looking after my interests'

Yes, but they're not, they're looking after the LA's interests.

If the LL is happy with the tenant then great -but i imagine LA will try and twist the LL arm for their own good/interests of their client (LL) by getting LL to serve notice and find 'longer term' tenants.

All the above is commonplace with a lot of LL's I know.

As i have said twice already - from personal point of view i would not be happy with a tenant who would not commit to the property.

The tenant is happy to commit to the property - it's the fees they're not happy about.

LA's are looking to get the maximum amount for themselves in fees, that's why they try to push renewals. If the LA manages to get the LL to remove tenant, then they can look forwards to another round of fees !

Limiting_Factor

Thanks for all the replies people, but I think this discussion about whether or not my LL would want me on a periodic tenancy is detracting from the discussion. For clarity: the landlord wants flexibility, so is happy with either periodic tenancy or a 6 month fixed tenancy.

My issue is that I'm being charged a 'renewal' fee for going on to a periodic tenancy, when no service is actually being provided by the letting agency.

spacey2012

Prof_Ligate wrote: »

Practically speaking, what can they do?

Help themselves if they have bank details :eek:

Naf

It boils down to your feeling of security; essentially, is your knowledge that you have a definite ongoing place to live worth £200 a year?
If you pay it then you're secure for the next 6 months; if you don't you could be served and expected to leave after just 2 months.

Ideally you want to talk to the LL direct, not deal with the LA because their interest is only lining their own pockets regardless of what's best for you or the LL. Often LLs are unaware that their LA does this; or have been lied to by LA into believing this 'service' (read 'daylight robbery') is necessary.
Talk to the LL: they won't be seeing a penny of the LA fee, so it won't lure them at all. Are they happy with a periodic tenancy? And reassure them that you don't have any intention to leave, you just don't consider that the LA's fee provides any benefit to either of you.

Naf

Limiting_Factor wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies people, but I think this discussion about whether or not my LL would want me on a periodic tenancy is detracting from the discussion. For clarity: the landlord wants flexibility, so is happy with either periodic tenancy or a 6 month fixed tenancy.

My issue is that I'm being charged a 'renewal' fee for going on to a periodic tenancy, when no service is actually being provided by the letting agency.

You posted just as I was; if LL is happy with periodic, then tell the LA to go do one. Worst they can do is attempt to serve notice on you; but if this is against LLs wishes, it means nothing.
If they tell you to go for not paying it, tell the LL. make a point that the LA will charge their fees all over again to him to find and vet another tenant if you go. Also make the point to the LA that going behind the LLs back like this is unlikely to get them any further business from your LL.

tim123456789

brians_daughter wrote: »

My brother experienced this a few years ago, infact was probably more and a lot has changed since then, however, the agent simply took his 'fees' he hadnt paid out of his initial deposit once he vacated the property.

Well this wont work now as TDS (et al) will reject such a claim against the deposit

mart.vader

spacey2012 wrote: »

Help themselves if they have bank details :eek:

tim123456789 wrote: »

Well this wont work now as TDS (et al) will reject such a claim against the deposit

Naf wrote: »

If they tell you to go for not paying it, tell the LL.

They can't help themselves. even if you had a direct debit, you tell the bank and they recover it.

What Tim says is also correct.

They can't tell you to go for not paying it. edit : (Well they can, but you can ignore it)

Wait until the day after the fixed term expires. Then you will be on a statutory periodic and no fee is payable.

G_M

If both you and the LL are happy with a SPT, then move to a SPT.

Ignore any invoice or demand for a fee from the letting agent.

LA then has choices:

1) persuade LL to serve S21 Notice and evict. But you say LL is happy....
2) try to deduct from deposit when you leave. i) LL unlikely to agree, and even if he does ii) you raise a dispute with the deposit scheme, and win
3) take you to court now fo non-payment. And lose
4) 'threaten' you and hope you pay up. You ignore.
5) take it from your bank. They could only do this via Direct Debit (if one is set up). Under the DD guarantee scheme you can reclaim it.

chris_m

G_M wrote: »

5) take it from your bank. They could only do this via Direct Debit (if one is set up). Under the DD guarantee scheme you can reclaim it.

If any company did that to me, I'd be reclaiming it instantly under the DD guarantee then cancelling the DD and setting up the normal payments by standing order instead.