Letting agent not releasing rent

dottyden

My son rents out a house and the letting agents have held onto the rent for 22 days, saying the problem is with their accounts department. The next month's rent is almost due and he really does not want to go through this again.
What can he do to force the letting agent to release his money?[

agrinnall

Letter Before Action, Small Claims court, terminate contract and appoint new agents.

ognum

As above and

Tell tenant to pay rent directly to you!

theartfullodger

What do the terms of the agreement between son & agent state?? If, for example, says rent paid within 45 days nothing you can do about it....

If son NEEDS rent paid on time he has a bigger problem:

thesaint

What is the problem with the accounts department?

I would probably contact the tenant to pay the money into my account and forward the agent any commission they are due, instead of the other way around.

mgarl10024

thesaint wrote: »

I would probably contact the tenant to pay the money into my account and forward the agent any commission they are due, instead of the other way around.

and it might take me about 22 days to do it.

G_M

I agree step one is to read/understand your contract with the agent. When does it say rent will be passed on?

Step two is to discuss with agent (and follow up with a leter) to establish what exactly the acounts issue is, and whether it's a one-off and solveable).

Step 3 could be to get rent paid to you direct, but then what's the point of the agent? Sack them (but again - read the contract!).

* Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?

thesaint

G_M wrote: »

Step 3 could be to get rent paid to you direct, but then what's the point of the agent?

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of seemingly intelligent people that think all agents do is sit around counting money.

G_M

thesaint wrote: »

It never ceases to amaze me the amount of seemingly intelligent people that think all agents do is sit around counting money.

Likewise I'm amazed how literally some people take things. A brief post can't raise all issues (hence my link!), but can briefly suggest options and things to consider.