We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.
This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.
PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
Our letting agent is harassing our tenants
penguine
Posts: 1,101 Forumite
We rented out a property several years ago using a one of the big chain estate/lettings agencies. We used the agency to find our tenants and we manage the property ourselves. The tenants were on a one-year fixed term to begin with and at the end of the year we agreed with them that they would go on to a periodic tenancy as the agency would have charged both the tenants and us for another fixed tenancy.
So the agency has the tenants' deposit in a protected scheme but otherwise has nothing to do with the property.
The agency has recently written to us saying that our tenants' tenancy is due to expire and asking us to arrange a new fixed term. We wrote back to say that they are not on a fixed term and the agency should update their records. They have since contacted the tenants to try to get them to renew this fictional fixed term tenancy. They have also been pestering the tenants to arrange the gas safety check, when we have always done this ourselves and never through the agency. We have written to them to inform them of this too. They haven't replied to either of our letters.
How can I get these agents to leave my tenants alone?
So the agency has the tenants' deposit in a protected scheme but otherwise has nothing to do with the property.
The agency has recently written to us saying that our tenants' tenancy is due to expire and asking us to arrange a new fixed term. We wrote back to say that they are not on a fixed term and the agency should update their records. They have since contacted the tenants to try to get them to renew this fictional fixed term tenancy. They have also been pestering the tenants to arrange the gas safety check, when we have always done this ourselves and never through the agency. We have written to them to inform them of this too. They haven't replied to either of our letters.
How can I get these agents to leave my tenants alone?
0
Comments
-
Simply write to the agent saying that your agreement with them has expired and you are not going to pay them for anything else they do.0
-
... and instruct them to transfer the deposit into a protected scheme in your name. They should not retain a deposit if they have no involvement in management.0
-
Read
Letting Agents (Tips for selecting, and tips for sacking them)
Tell your tenants, initially verbally (face-to-face or by phone) and follow up with a formal letter, that they should ignore totally the agent who does not work for you. Remind them (the tenants) that their contract/tenancy agreement is with you, not the agent.
Discuss the contract, and confirm whether both you and they are content with the periodic tenancy, then reassure them no change is needed.
GET THE DEPOSIT REGISTERED IN YOUR NAME!
Why on earth, if you were not planning to use the agent for tenancy management, did you leave the deposit in their control. You should have collected it and registered it yourself.
0 -
GET THE DEPOSIT REGISTERED IN YOUR NAME!
Why on earth, if you were not planning to use the agent for tenancy management, did you leave the deposit in their control. You should have collected it and registered it yourself.
[/SIZE][/FONT]
We were new landlords, and had no idea this was even an option. We'll know better next time!0 -
We were new landlords, and had no idea this was even an option. We'll know better next time!
Not next time, now! All the schemes have means to transfer deposits in the event that the LL changes. Get the deposit transferred into your name as the (non)agent has no right to hold it.0 -
Not next time, now! All the schemes have means to transfer deposits in the event that the LL changes. Get the deposit transferred into your name as the (non)agent has no right to hold it.
Yes, I understood from your previous post. I was just replying to G_M asking why we didn't have it in our name in the first place. We will get it transferred ... and next time we rent it out we'll get it put in our name, not the letting agent's.0 -
How can I get these agents to leave my tenants alone?
All I can suggest is, make a formal complaint. Ask them for a copy of their complaints procedure and send it to the person named therein.
Also, be prepared for a long battle to get the deposit transferred.
I have a similar problem, and the agent simply ignores all correspondence.
I have now contacted MyDeposits directly to see if they will help.0 -
I wrote to the agent on 2 October but have had no reply. I heard from them again today offering to arrange our gas safety inspection which I have already arranged. This is their reply:I am fully aware that your property is let on a statutory periodic tenancy but we still have to see a copy of the annual gas safety certificate as we put the tenants into the property we do indeed have a duty of care towards them. Once the gas safety certificate has been carried out please could you either send a copy to the branch or post a copy to me (my address is below) or an emailed copy is fine.
Is it correct that I have to continue to send them a copy of the gas safety certificate for as long as these particular tenants remain in the property?
(I have just asked for a copy of their complaints procedure.)0 -
Is it correct that I have to continue to send them a copy of the gas safety certificate for as long as these particular tenants remain in the property?
Ask them under what legislation are you required to send them a copy of the gas safety certificate.Well life is harsh, hug me don't reject me.0 -
Is it correct that I have to continue to send them a copy of the gas safety certificate for as long as these particular tenants remain in the property?
No it is not correct, they are making it up. You have to give the tenant a copy thats all.
Have you extracted the deposit from them? If so just ignore any other communication and make sure the tenants know to do likewise.0
This discussion has been closed.
Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply
Categories
- All Categories
- 352.3K Banking & Borrowing
- 253.6K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
- 454.3K Spending & Discounts
- 245.3K Work, Benefits & Business
- 601.1K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
- 177.5K Life & Family
- 259.2K Travel & Transport
- 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
- 16K Discuss & Feedback
- 37.7K Read-Only Boards