What does this mean for LA?

sacha28

I've just had a strange request from our LA. Basically they have just told me that they have lost our complete file which includes our signed tenancy agreement, signed inventory, DPS confirmation etc, and have asked if I could take my copy of the file down so they can photocopy it.

Now I have no issue doing this, we are very lucky to have the most amazing LA. We have a very good relationship with the whole team, if there are any issues they are sorted out the same day and when we told them we had to move as the layout of our old house wasn't suitable for us with a newborn, they went out of their way to find us another house (we moved in in June and are incredibly happy ) In all, we have been renting from the same LA for the past 5 years.

I just wonder where it would leave them if I said no? Like I said, I'm not about to do that and will take it down tomorrow, but if I were a more difficult personality would I be able to do that? And what if I had lost our file?!

BitterAndTwisted

Refusal when you do actually have all the paperwork to hand would probably damage your relationship beyond mending.

No copy of the tenancy agreement would make it difficult, but not impossible to bring your tenancy to an end.

No copy of the check-in inventory you signed would mean they had absolutely no documentary evidence to base any proposed deposit-deductions on once your tenancy ends.

No DPS confirmation would likely result in them not being able to lodge a claim to any proposed deductions from your deposit. DO NOT give them any copies of paperwork which gives your reference number, which I believe is confidential. Having that info would enable them to pretend it's you agreeing to deposit deductions. If you give them a copy of this you should blank out any unique identifying info.

You might think you have a good relationship with the agent but don't be misled by this. They are the landlord's hand-maiden and servant, so they may be bypassed or encouraged to act on the landlord's behalf in ways that may not benefit you.

G_M

If you had lost your documents and asked the agents for copies, what would have been the response.....

I know what I think it would have been......

DaftyDuck

G_M wrote: »

If you had lost your documents and asked the agents for copies, what would have been the response.....

I know what I think it would have been......

Strangely, I don't know what you think you know what it would mean... if you see what I mean!

The agency that now manages my student & academic propertieswould have copies out for free in a jiffy - no charge, no question. The agency I rented from whilst buying this latest property - they'd like as not ask for £50 and probably not supply full copies!

For the OP: I suppose I'd send them copies regardless, as they'll probably be ab;e to turn them up eventually. I might think twice if the inventory was error-prone, or I'd already wrecked the furniture & fittings. However, if you are intending to stay, and have a good relationship at the mo, that is probably worth "doing them a solid" in return.

(Excuse the typos; I sliced my fingerd deeply doing the washing up and corrections hurt!)

PasturesNew

I'd deny being able to find them "at the moment", say I'd put some stuff into storage and they might be there .... but won't be able to go to the storage for a few months to check.... will get back to you if/when I find them.

If they query it in a few months' time, say "checked storage, can't find them, but my sister's also got boxes in there so might have picked up one of mine in error... will check with sister, who is currently on a round the world trip she won ... and will let you know if/when I find them"

Road_Hog

I really can't see what anyone is hoping to gain here. OP says the LA is very good and has been helpful, why would anyone not wish to help them out.


Why play hard ball with someone has been good to you?

moromir

Road_Hog wrote:

I really can't see what anyone is hoping to gain here. OP says the LA is very good and has been helpful, why would anyone not wish to help them out.


Why play hard ball with someone has been good to you?

Because they are creating a situation where by the letting agent could potentially make a claim for their deposit at teh end of the tenancy.

If the tenants dont give the information, the LA hasn't got a leg to stand on.

DaftyDuck

moromir wrote: »

Because they are creating a situation where by the letting agent could potentially make a claim for their deposit at teh end of the tenancy.

If the tenants dont give the information, the LA hasn't got a leg to stand on.

But, if they don't help the agency (who has been helpful) the agency might be less prone to help them when they need it.

Not all agencies or LLs are after ripping the deposit from the hands of tenants...

Road_Hog

moromir wrote: »

Because they are creating a situation where by the letting agent could potentially make a claim for their deposit at teh end of the tenancy.

If the tenants dont give the information, the LA hasn't got a leg to stand on.

Okay, so at then end of then tenancy, the LA says, sorry you didn't give a deposit. OP says yes I did. LA says prove it. OP goes look, here is the paperwork.


Possession is nine tenths of the law. Yes, it would end up going to court, but unreasonable behaviour is likely to come into it. If you've ever been to court, you'll know that judges take a very dim view of people who have deliberately made things difficult and brought it to court, when it could quite clearly have been sorted without involving the courts.

sacha28

Thanks guys, interesting points

As I said in OP, I am not going to get difficult and never had any intention of doing so. The LA in question are very good, found us a better house within days, have never given us any reason to think badly of them. I find it odd that they have managed to lose a file but she was very embarrassed about it.

I have blanked out my reference number on the DPS paperwork, as suggested by the ever sensible bitterandtwisted, but I really don't mind doing as requested. I know how hard good LA are to find so I really wouldn't like to muddy the waters.

Building_Surveyor

moromir wrote: »

Because they are creating a situation where by the letting agent could potentially make a claim for their deposit at teh end of the tenancy.

If the tenants dont give the information, the LA hasn't got a leg to stand on.

Only legitimate claims are considered anyway. If the property is looked after then there shouldn't be an issue at the end of it.

Like someone else said. Why go out of your way to be awkward to someone who has been good to you.