Letting Agent Increased rent without telling me

always_sunny

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

Yes, I could, but that way the Agent would still take 8% of the increased rent for his fee, and that sticks in my craw!

That would not sit well with me either!
But, aren't you the other party on the AST? So the tenant has signed it, now the EA should seek the LL (yours) signature to validate it unless you gave them carte blanche to do anything they want?

Guest101

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

I just phoned the LA back. Apparently, the tenant has already signed at the increased rent and "there's nothing they can do now".

Not happy. Believe this is just flannel - surely they can just tear up the TA and write another one?!? - and have asked for the manager to call me back.

I'm getting a bit cross now...

Just send an amendment clarifying the rent.


And then tell the LA to take a long walk off a short cliff..

*~Zephyr~*

always_sunny wrote: »

That would not sit well with me either!
But, aren't you the other party on the AST? So the tenant has signed it, now the EA should seek the LL (yours) signature to validate it unless you gave them carte blanche to do anything they want?

No, they don't have Carte Blanche, they are just able to sign on my behalf to renew the AST. We set it up that way initially because I was out of the country when the tenant first moved in 4 years ago.

They are supposed to get my approval before doing anything else.

hazyjo

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

No, they don't have Carte Blanche, they are just able to sign on my behalf to renew the AST. We set it up that way initially because I was out of the country when the tenant first moved in 4 years ago.

They are supposed to get my approval before doing anything else.

Then I would be very firm, to the point, and tell them that you want the lower rent reinstated and you will not be paying them anything other than what you already do. Keep it short, factual and to the point. In writing preferably - tell them to contact you in writing and not by phone. Block their number.


Jx

fairy_lights

If they're increasing the rent without your knowledge, I'd be slightly concerned what else they might be getting up to. That's a pretty big decision to make without your say so.

*~Zephyr~*

Manager just rang back to say it's no problem, he has ripped up the agreement and will now phone the tenant and get her to drop back in to the office to re-sign with the new rent.

Phew! That's a relief.

Oh, and he also said that I am the first LL he has ever had that has refused a rent increase. Do I deserve a RAOK badge??

hazyjo

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

Manager just rang back to say it's no problem, he has ripped up the agreement and will now phone the tenant and get her to drop back in to the office to re-sign with the new rent.

Phew! That's a relief.

Oh, and he also said that I am the first LL he has ever had that has refused a rent increase. Do I deserve a RAOK badge??

Good news Ta for the update.


Jx

theartfullodger

Good for you Zephyr!

Crashy_Time

*~Zephyr~* wrote: »

Yes, I could, but that way the Agent would still take 8% of the increased rent for his fee, and that sticks in my craw!



Thanks for that insight - that's what I am afraid of.

Yep, this is their game now that the law is changing regarding the other "fees" they can charge, problem is that rents can`t go up enough to cover those losses. Why don`t you just deal with the tenant directly, no middle men?

Miss_Samantha

Are your being serious?

The agent, who should act in your best interest, has increased the rent according to the local market and you aren't happy about it... Wow.