Rented Property Change of Management Company

Butts

I have lived in a Rented Property for 10 months and the Current Managing Agent told me they were no longer handling the property for the Landlord and to cancel my standing order for the rent.

This was imparted over the phone and they didn't know who was assuming resposibility for managing and collecting the rent.

I then heard from another Company who claimed to be their successors giving me bank account details to pay the rent to. They also sent me a generic blank tenancy agreement asking me "to sign it" and they would fill in the details.

Whilst I don't doubt the legitimacy of the new agent surely this is not the correct procedure when a Landlord changes Managing Agents. I am particularly concerned that I have not had written notification from the Landlord.

What is the correct procedure in these circumstances - who should do what and when ?

Any help gratefully accepted.

need_an_answer

How much contact do you have with your LL?
I guess very little.

The reality of it probably is that yes they have changed agents but out of curtesy they should have perhaps informed you.

If you are in doubt write to your LL asking them to confirm the change and on receipt of that confirmation change your rent payment details.

edited to add...

However I would never blankly sign a tenancy agreement and allow someone else to fill in the details.
Go back to the LA and again confirm that on receipt of a completed agreement you will review and sign as you feel appropriate.

Butts

need_an_answer wrote: »

How much contact do you have with your LL?
I guess very little.

The reality of it probably is that yes they have changed agents but out of curtesy they should have perhaps informed you.

If you are in doubt write to your LL asking them to confirm the change and on receipt of that confirmation change your rent payment details.

edited to add...

However I would never blankly sign a tenancy agreement and allow someone else to fill in the details.
Go back to the LA and again confirm that on receipt of a completed agreement you will review and sign as you feel appropriate.

My Landlord lives in Australia so I have never had any contact with them.

With regard to the Tenancy Agreement should the existing one not continue as the new generic one is slightly different in some respects.

Thanks

Comms69

Sign nothing, pay nothing. Contact your landlord at the address in your tenancy agreement and ask them to confirm any new details.


(keep the rent to one side)

Comms69

Butts wrote: »

My Landlord lives in Australia so I have never had any contact with them.

With regard to the Tenancy Agreement should the existing one not continue as the new generic one is slightly different in some respects.

Thanks

There must be an address in England or wales for you to serve notice, that's where you write to.


(you do not need to sign any new agreement)

Butts

Comms69 wrote: »

There must be an address in England or wales for you to serve notice, that's where you write to.


(you do not need to sign any new agreement)

The address on the agreement for serving any Notice under The Landlord and Tenant Act 1987/8 is the previous Management Property Company.

The Landlords name and address in Australia is contained within the agreement.

May I humbly ask what the correct legal position is with regard to the action each party is supposed to take in these circumstances ?

Comms69

Butts wrote: »

The address on the agreement for serving any Notice under The Landlord and Tenant Act 1987/8 is the previous Management Property Company.

The Landlords name and address in Australia is contained within the agreement. - So send to both.

May I humbly ask what the correct legal position is with regard to the action each party is supposed to take in these circumstances ?

There is no definitive standard. BUT your contract is with your landlord, not agency 1 or 2. So you should take any payment instructions only from him/her/them.

Butts

Comms69 wrote: »

There is no definitive standard. BUT your contract is with your landlord, not agency 1 or 2. So you should take any payment instructions only from him/her/them.

So what if I were to politely inform the new Management Company that I require written confirmation from the Landlord that they are acting on her behalf prior to paying any monies or signing any new Tenancy Agreement.

The term of my original Shorthold Tenancy Agreement was for the term of 6 months commencing on 1/3/17. Since then I have not signed anything to renew or continue it.

Thanks everyone for helping.

Comms69

Butts wrote: »

So what if I were to politely -or rudely, or sarcastically, they have no specific 'power' inform the new Management Company that I require written confirmation from the Landlord that they are acting on her behalf prior to paying any monies or signing any new Tenancy Agreement. - I think that would be very wise, and I wouldn't sign the new tenancy agreement unless you a: agree with the terms and b: want to be stuck for x number of months

The term of my original Shorthold Tenancy Agreement was for the term of 6 months commencing on 1/3/17. Since then I have not signed anything to renew or continue it. - So you have a periodic tenancy, which is by far the most common type

Thanks everyone for helping.

Also worth checking the deposit details are passed to the new agents. Taking a ll to court can be difficult, especially when they live abroad (typically the outcome is a charge on the property)

Butts

Comms69 wrote: »

Also worth checking the deposit details are passed to the new agents. Taking a ll to court can be difficult, especially when they live abroad (typically the outcome is a charge on the property)

With regard to the Periodic Tenancy is it normal as happened with me for nothing to happen after 6 months (which was stipulated as the term on the agreement) ?

I was expecting it to be "renewed" ? after that initial period but nothing happened and I just carried on paying the rent as normal.

Comms69

Butts wrote: »

With regard to the Periodic Tenancy is it normal as happened with me for nothing to happen after 6 months (which was stipulated as the term on the agreement) ?

I was expecting it to be "renewed" ? after that initial period but nothing happened and I just carried on paying the rent as normal.

Yes it is again by far the most common way to become periodic.