renewal fees

rossireps

Hi
wondering if anyone can help? can you gret any help with renewal fees? I get housing benefit and agent has just put up the renewal fee from £48 to £68. I have also had money cut by dwp and just dont know how Im gonna afford it. really worrying over it and cant sleep etc thankyou

Werdnal

Why are you renewing? Ask agent the allow your tenancy to run to a Statutory Periodic tenancy (SPT). No renewal, you nor agent need do nothing, so no fee!

Just remember than under an SPT, LL only need give your 2 months notice he will seek possession of the property, but otherwise, there is never any need to renew a tenancy once the initial FT ends.

I have let property for 13 years, and never renew contracts. One tenant stayed for 5 years, only ever having the initial 6 month tenancy!

princeofpounds

Ask agent the allow your tenancy to run to a Statutory Periodic tenancy (SPT).

You actually don't even technically need to ask. This happens automatically under law.

The only difficulty you might have is that the LA may want to force a renewal for the fee and/or the LL wants the 'security' of a fixed teem contract.

Often worth checking with the LL directly what they want in these instances.

[Deleted User]

Yep my landlord insisted on a new fixed term, I would have lost the house if I hadn't signed.

Best to find out what your landlord wants. If he wants you to sign a new agreement, perhaps you can do it without the agency being involved.

Werdnal

deannatrois wrote: »

Yep my landlord insisted on a new fixed term, I would have lost the house if I hadn't signed.

Stupid landlord indeed, risking a void and re-letting fees just for the sake of signing a new FT!

Werdnal

princeofpounds wrote: »

You actually don't even technically need to ask. This happens automatically under law.

Of course, this is true, but best make the request/intention know to the agent, rather than risk a S21 already issued at some point during the FT being implemented for eviction purposes!

Or of course, as mentioned, speak to LL direct.

Caveat_Mortgagor

This sounds like an example of agent greed. Some agents issue a section 21 at the start of your tenancy so that they can threaten eviction rather than go periodic. This means they can effectively 'force' you to sign a new contract and they get a fee.

Do you know who your landlord is? If it isnt on your contract you can request their name / address from the agent.

I would contact the LL and tell them the agents greed may cause you to move. This will mean the LL has to pay them to find a new tenant (just like they charge the tenant - except the landlord fees are usually much higher than tenant fees!)

I am sure your landlord would be much happier to continue receiving rent from a happy tenant than to have the agent (who should be acting on his behalf) jeopardising his income stream.

princeofpounds

Of course, this is true, but best make the request/intention know to the agent, rather than risk a S21 already issued at some point during the FT being implemented for eviction purposes!

Absolutely, it's was only a clarification over the word 'asking' so the OP was aware that it's not a case of needing explicit permission, you just need the LL to not try to evict you as a result. Many a time we've seen on this board agents claiming they don't 'do' periodic tenancies, as if they had total choice in the matter.

rossireps

thankyou everyone its really apreciated as its a big worry.
i just renewed after 6 months as i my contract is 6 monthly and i thought this is what i had to do. i dont know the landlord and the agent is well horrible. the landlord owns alot of properties.
think ill get down cab and get some advice and understand it more an then speak to agent in july when my contract is up. thankyou

rossireps

ps, do i need to say its because oof finances or can i use a different reason for wanting to SPT. thanks

princeofpounds

You don't need a reason but if you are talking to the LL it may well be worthwhile reassuring them that you don't want to leave, you just don't want the cost of agency fees