Agency won't give us 12 months anymore

Marycooper

So it's renewal time again but our agency have apparently stopped doing 12 month contracts. We have always had a 12 month contract (apart from when we first moved in) and after 3 years it's easier for us to do it this way. I suspect they just want to make £50 out of us every 6 months but they're blaming it on 'keeping up with legislation'. Can I do anything? Has anyone heard of this? I guess they can do what they like. We have no plans to move for now.

marksoton

Absolute rot.

Circumnavigate the agency and go direct to the landlord.

Guest101

Agree the length (upto 35 months) with the landlord

PasturesNew

You're being spun a line. Unfortunately the industry's gone down the toilet and you run the risk of fearing them if you dare to speak out.

What you've been told is rot .... so now you need to work out how to deal with the lying scum.

Over a barrel is how the industry has tenants.

HappyMJ

Marycooper wrote: »

So it's renewal time again but our agency have apparently stopped doing 12 month contracts. We have always had a 12 month contract (apart from when we first moved in) and after 3 years it's easier for us to do it this way. I suspect they just want to make £50 out of us every 6 months but they're blaming it on 'keeping up with legislation'. Can I do anything? Has anyone heard of this? I guess they can do what they like. We have no plans to move for now.

There's no need to have a fixed term tenancy. The first one is always fixed for the protection of the landlord. The landlord cannot evict easily during the first 6 months even if the tenancy starts as a periodic tenancy so they usually start at 6 months.

I would just let it revert to a periodic tenancy. If the landlord wants possession it can take up to 6 months for you to be forced to relinquish it so it's the same as having a 6 month fixed term anyway. The landlord would probably prefer you were on a periodic tenancy as you can just leave with no notice on the last day of the fixed term which would increase the length of the void before they get another tenant. If you're on a periodic tenancy the landlord is always going to get at least one months notice that you're leaving.

Guest101

HappyMJ wrote: »

There's no need to have a fixed term tenancy. The first one is always fixed for the protection of the landlord. The landlord cannot evict easily during the first 6 months even if the tenancy starts as a periodic tenancy so they usually start at 6 months.

I would just let it revert to a periodic tenancy. If the landlord wants possession it can take up to 6 months for you to be forced to relinquish it so it's the same as having a 6 month fixed term anyway. The landlord would probably prefer you were on a periodic tenancy as you can just leave with no notice on the last day of the fixed term which would increase the length of the void before they get another tenant. If you're on a periodic tenancy the landlord is always going to get at least one months notice that you're leaving.

Not that that prevents having a void.


There's pros and cons for both. I think generally though the only people who benefit from fixed terms are agents!

Marycooper

Would I not be in breach of any t&cs if I contact the landlady herself? I do know her, she's local, we've kept in touch over various repairs and things and she's a nice lady. I feel like I'd be 'intruding' to message her about this but I feel like she's wasting her money on the agency as they never inspect or manage the repairs. They just send out £50 invoices for renewals!

Guest101

Marycooper wrote: »

Would I not be in breach of any t&cs if I contact the landlady herself? - Even if you were, does it matter, what will they do? I do know her, she's local, we've kept in touch over various repairs and things and she's a nice lady. - Great, your contract is between you and her, not the agent, so only you and her can make changes I feel like I'd be 'intruding' to message her about this - She's probably charged £50 everytime too but I feel like she's wasting her money on the agency as they never inspect or manage the repairs. They just send out £50 invoices for renewals!

Then let her know, she may even sack them and just go direct with you

marksoton

Marycooper wrote: »

Would I not be in breach of any t&cs if I contact the landlady herself? I do know her, she's local, we've kept in touch over various repairs and things and she's a nice lady. I feel like I'd be 'intruding' to message her about this but I feel like she's wasting her money on the agency as they never inspect or manage the repairs. They just send out £50 invoices for renewals!

Why message? SPEAK to the woman for gawds sake. The human touch can get you a long way.....

elverson

Marycooper wrote: »

Would I not be in breach of any t&cs if I contact the landlady herself? I do know her, she's local, we've kept in touch over various repairs and things and she's a nice lady.

Not at all. Just ask her directly.

benjus

Marycooper wrote: »

Would I not be in breach of any t&cs if I contact the landlady herself?

I'm sure the letting agent would love you to believe that.

But under law in England/Wales agents are obliged to disclose the identity and address of the landlord. See the first section of Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. Providing you're not planning harassment, stalking etc and you're not subject to a court injunction or ASBO, there's nothing in law to stop you contacting anyone you like.