Would you rent from this estate agent?

BriCharles

Hello MSE readers!
Basically, this is my first time private renting and I am worrying (probably excessively) about potential scams etc.

So I have two questions:
1 - Would you rent with an agent that had only been in existence for a year, and was not on any voluntary schemes such as ARLA? However, they are on a redress scheme, have DPS and will allow payment to be made at same time as handing over keys. Also, they do have an office.
2 - Is any tenancy agreement contract with signatures a legally acceptable one? If the AST says 6 month tenancy and I sign it, I can't then be kicked out until the end of the tenancy can I? (If I stick to rules obv lol).

Thankyou all!:j:j

G_M

BriCharles wrote: »

So I have two questions:
1 - Would you rent with an agent that had only been in existence for a year, and was not on any voluntary schemes such as ARLA? However, they are on a redress scheme, have DPS and will allow payment to be made at same time as handing over keys. Also, they do have an office.
2 - Is any tenancy agreement contract with signatures a legally acceptable one? If the AST says 6 month tenancy and I sign it, I can't then be kicked out until the end of the tenancy can I? (If I stick to rules obv lol).

Thankyou all!:j:j

1) You will not be renting from the agent. The agent is just acting as ..... errr.... 'agent'..... for the landlord.
The property belongs to the LL;
the rent goes to the LL (though may be collected by his agent on his behalf);
your contract is with the LL.

Having said that, this post may help:

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


There is advice for tenants looking for a reputable letting agent here:

BBC: (how to protect yourself from 'cowboys')

Shelter: (complaints about letting agents)

See also 'How To Rent' (gov advice).

2) A landlord cannot end an AST in the 1st 6 months (even if the contract fixed term is 3 months!).

For more info, read:

* Ending/renewing an AST: what happens when a fixed term ends? How can a LL or tenant end a tenancy? What is a periodic tenancy?


You may also find these posts useful:

* Repairing Obligations: the law, common misconceptions, reporting/enforcing, retaliatory eviction & the new protection (2015)

* Deposits: payment, protection and return

* Rent increases: when & how can rent be increased?

* Repossession: what if a LL's mortgage lender repossesses the property?