2,120 Days to Debt Freedom!!

beanielou

Blimey that is really dire

Emzilla

Thanks everyone.

I spoke to someone briefly, but the main guy who dealt with it isn't in until lunchtime now. She said they had been trying to call and email us which is rubbish. Funny how we received emails from them for routine stuff like the gas safety check and the inspection, but not a word about the renewal.

Apparently, nobody viewed the house because they couldn't get hold of us, so the people that think they're moving in here in a couple of weeks agreed to rent it without seeing it.

I said about the people moving in, and she said they would have to be let down. I guess that's the easiest thing for them to do, seeing as they haven't served us our notice and would have to re-advertise etc if they kick us out. I feel sorry for the other people involved, but it's not mine and OH's faults and there's no way we can be out of here in 2 weeks.

Emz xx

DawnW

They have by law to give you two months notice. Even then, they can't actually make you move out without going to court. Have a look on Shelter's website, or google the law relating to Assured Shorthold Tenancies (ASTs). Then quote it at them. They are in the wrong (ex landlord). Letting agencies are unregulated, and many are a joke - they have probably done this to try to get more money out of the owner of the property in some or other way.

And if you do decide that you want to leave, appeal any attempts to keep your deposit, which should be law be protected in a government scheme - tenants almost always win in this case :T

[Deleted User]

Well, I'm so delighted and relieved for you that you don't have to move out. Fantastic news:j:j:j

I wouldn't leave it there, though, and I don't imagine you will. This company sound totally inept and unprofessional and have caused you considerable stress and anxiety.

Ask for copies of the supposedly sent emails. Surely in a case of one set of tenants vacating a property and another one moving in there are all sorts of stages to go through before it actually happens. If (as they claim:rotfl:) they tried to contact you and you didn't respond what was the next step supposed to be, the new people just turning up with their belongings? Wouldn't the agents have had to see you, inspect the property, organise deposit and keys etc. And what about notice? Shouldn't they have served you with some sort of official notice by mail (after, according to them) email communication wasn't effective? Two weeks seems very short for them to get all that sorted:eek:.

P.S. My post crossed with Dawn's. She obviously knows more about the legalities than I do but I'll still post anyway.

Emzilla

Eventually got it sorted. They are letting us stay and telling the other people they can't move in. We've got to go on Saturday to sign a new lease and pay the extortionate fee. Asked if they would let us off the fee because of the undue stress they have caused me over the past 24 hours and it was a definite no. £96 fee and they're useless at their jobs

Don't know whether it's worth taking it further or not.

Emz xx

[Deleted User]

When was your original lease up for renewal? Or maybe it was just ongoing until terminated by you or them. Sorry I'm ignorant on the subject as I've never rented a property since I was fresh out of University decades ago:o. As you definitely didn't terminate it and they didn't do it in the legal manner I can't see why you are having to pay through the nose to sign a new lease.

Just seems like an excuse for them to make a quick buck and sounds definitely iffy IMO.

What does your fiance think about it all?

Emzilla

The lease is due for renewal on the 19th July. The £96 fee is what they charge to sign a new lease, and charge this every year.

I just think because of their incompetence, they should at least reduce the fee.

Really can't stand letting agents and wish we could afford to buy our own place.

Emz xx

[Deleted User]

Thanks for the explanation, Emz. I hadn't a clue about how leases and contracts work:o.

I feel really sorry for the people who thought they would be moving into your flat. I bet they were really excited. Maybe it's the agent's crafty ploy to get them to opt for something more expensive as time is getting short:eek:. No wonder estate agents and such like get a bad press all the time:(

beanielou

To be fair not all estate agents are like that.
Shocking practise IMHO.
There is a professional body that you can complain to.
I would be strongly pushing for a reduction in the fee.

jwil

Happy new diary!

That stinks about the tenancy though, definitely take it further if you can!