Paying back the referencing fee

johnnymac93

Hi all.

I'm shortly to be a first time landlord and have found the information on this site to be invaluable so far, albeit it I have found it late in the day. I have gone via an agency for my first foray in an attempt to take a back seat in the search for a tenant side of things, however I have slightly been duped due to my naivety on the process along the way. Initially I was told that I wouldn't have to pay a penny to my EA until the tenants have moved in to my property.
I mentioned at the time that I would (naturally) only accept said tenants following my acceptance of their reference details which was agreed. I've since found that should I cancel once these details have been obtained that I would have to pay a silly sum of money to reimburse the agent for their search. Fair enough and lesson learned although the cost is outrageous tbh.
My question is this. I have been informed that referencing was taking place and should be only 48 hours (a week ago) but since then I've been told that there has been some trouble with the tenant's email addresses?!? If I bail out now can the EA still claim this referencing fee from me without proving that they have the paper work to hand as I'm sure they'll ask for money at this stage anyway. If the answer is no I shouldn't pay them then what would I need to say to them without blowing a fit. It's not that I have a short fuse , just that I tend to think of the right thing to have said 'after the event' so to speak and would in this instance definitely like to be prepared.

Thanks

johnnymac93

Anyone have an idea how best to handle this?

ognum

Not sure I understand, if there is a problem with the email address can't the agent simply phone the new tenant and ask for it again?

I have to say that I have never personally read the credit checks or references of my tenants. I use an agent, I only use independent agents no large companies and have always had confidence in the checking process and have not had any issues thus far!

I'd the tenant fails the checks then it is up to the agent to sort that with the tenant.

I am not sure exactly what your issue is and why you feel the need having appointed an agent to be so involved.

I would never take money to reference more than one group of tenants at a time, once they have paid the referencing it is fair that they have the property if they pass referencing.

G_M

It's all down to what was agreed in your contract with the agent, and any Terms of Business (assuming you agreed/signed these).

I'm unclear exactly what your Q is though.

Why are you considering 'bailing out' whilst a tenant is in the process of being vetted? If you do, it seems only fair that you should pay for the services the agent has commenced (and paid for) on your behalf.

Is the 'tenant' also paying for the vetting (this is common)? Do you even know? If he has paid, and you 'bail out', I hope the tenant will be refundedby your agent!

'Bailing out' once a tenant has applied and started being vetted is hardly a professional way to proceed in your business (unless of course the vetting has shown the tenant tobe undesirable in some way eg CCJs).

Unlike ognum above, I do insist on seeing the reference/vetting results (on those rare occassions I use an agent), and I also make the final decision as o whether to accept/reject the tenant.

ognum

Unlike ognum above, I do insist on seeing the reference/vetting results (on those rare occassions I use an agent), and I also make the final decision as o whether to accept/reject the tenant.[/QUOTE]

That's interesting! Have you had many non payers or poor tenants? I have to say that thus far I have had none! If I did then maybe I would want to know more I have changed one of my agents because of the way they have acted in the past.

I do used a managed agents because I am often out of the country but am resident and do pay tax etc here.

O often have multiple applications so do have discussions over who should be accepted and checked and referenced.