Letting agency asking me to pay for a vacated property after notice period.

Hutchch0920

I would be inclined not to pay the additional rent and allow it to be disputed through your deposit on the grounds that the agent led you to believe that the notice had been accepted when they confirmed the amount of rent required to be paid.

saajan_12

Lord_Skytower wrote: »

I confirm your final rent payment required on 25th will be £226.02.

Monthly rent £625 x 12 months = 7500
£7500 / 365 = £20.54 per day
£20.54 x 11 days (from 25th February to 7th March)
= £226.02

Any questions, let me know.

It hinges on whether your 'notice' (i.e. a letter to the LL/LA saying you want to leave on 7 March) and the agent's email response saying "I confirm your final rent.." constitutes a mutual surrender agreement which superseeds your original tenancy agreement. I think it does, because the agent can speak on behalf of the LL and says "I confirm" without saying they still have to check anything further.

Practically, I would also explore with the new LL / agent whether you can delay your move in to reduce the overlap, incase the current agent/LL try to claim the rent from the deposit and the deposit scheme agree with them.

G_M

saajan_12 wrote: »

It hinges on whether your 'notice' (i.e. a letter to the LL/LA saying you want to leave on 7 March) and the agent's email response saying "I confirm your final rent.." constitutes a mutual surrender agreement which superseeds your original tenancy agreement. I think it does, because the agent can speak on behalf of the LL and says "I confirm" without saying they still have to check anything further.

I completely agree.

Of course, arbitrators and judges can never be 100% predicted but I personally would be sufficiently confident to take it to law if required.

Either

1) ignore, don't pay the rent; wait to see if a deposit deduction is made; then raise a dispute, or

2) respond quoting your email, their response (highlighted as per saajan above), point out they included no caveat in their 'confirmation' and see how they respond (though I can predict I think!).

The agent is wrigling as he made an assumption & responded on the LL's behalf, and the LL is now blaming the agent who is trying to back-track....

BobQ

Best to dispute it as advised via rent protection scheme.

In the meantime if they want to show buyers around refuse permission.

Lord_Skytower

Thanks very much for all the replies and advice. Genuinely appreciated.