Letting agent from hell

Londongirl007

Hi peeps!
I'm a landlord and ever since informing the letting agent that I was not happy with their services, I seem to have unleashed a monster from the deep! Basically, I gave them notice to end their sole agency marketing of the property and they have been evasive, not responding, there have been no viewings or offers (which I'm ok with coz I'm not going to use them anyway) They just seem to want me to sit on the property until the 10 week marketing period has ended. I've raised a formal complaint...which hasn't even been acknowledged (surprise surprise) and I intend to follow it through with the TPOS. However, the problem is that despite knowing full well that I actually hate them, they are insisting I stay with them for the whole marketing period of 10 weeks. Because I am aware of the contract I signed, I have held off approaching any other agents or marketing it myself as I don't want to risk liability for their fees. I spoke to the TPOS and they told me that I have every right to ask them to take the property off rightmove and to remove their board from the property (Whilst I must still abide by the 10 week period). My question: Do they still have the right to advertise it despite my telling them not to???? Even if I've told them, I will observe the 10 week period and not market it myself? Thanks for any advice.

BrassicWoman

letting agent or estate agent?

gazzabboi

Tell them you want the listing removed immediately. If they don't do it then contact rightmove and tell them to remove it.

Im not sure what contract you signed, but Im fairly sure a letting agent has no control of who you market the house with. I would personally approach a different agent and tell them about it, show them anything you signed, then they will advise if they can market it for you. Don't be bullied by them.

Londongirl007

They are a letting agent and I am still in the 10 week marketing period, however, they are in no doubt I will not accept any tenant from them. Although I will wait for the 10 weeks to pass, I just want them to take down the property from rightmove and stop marketing it. They have not done so and have not acknowledged my request.

jonnygee2

They must have really done a number on you to make you hate them this much.

Do they still have the right to advertise it despite my telling them not to?

Well, it'd be difficult to do anything from a legal perspective to prevent it if they do keep doing it. Not only did you sign a contract etc, but also it is not causing you any financial loss or harm.

I guess you could just start by making your voice heard on the various internet review sites that exist.

Londongirl007

My experience has been nothing short of a nightmare with them and I will continue to pursue my complaint against them with the TPOS. Getting back to the question, I thought it would be considered false advertising since they know I won't accept any tenants from them? Also, they just seem to want to use my property as click bait and to help make them look "busy". I will make sure I write my reviews, when all of this is over!

missile

It is your property take down their board, if it bugs you.
There is little point in going to another agent to find a tenant before your period expires as you will become liable for two fees. I would not voice your concerns to new agent(s) as they may peg you as a difficult client.

Smellyonion

Why not tell them to advertise the property with a tenant starting after their contract ends?

GrumpyDil

Are you sure they have an exclusive contract period as none of the letting agents around me have that in their contracts. At least none of the five or so I looked at when letting a house last year.

Comms69

I really don’t see what the complaint is; you signed a contract- voluntarily- and now you’re angry they’re holding you to its terms.

Londongirl007

Comms69 wrote: »

I really don’t see what the complaint is; you signed a contract- voluntarily- and now you’re angry they’re holding you to its terms.

Hi, I am honouring their contract and marketing period which expires next week. My problem is with their dreadful service, their bullying behaviour and to get opinions here about whether I can instruct them to remove my property from internet portals during that marketing period. After all, it's my property and they work for me ultimately. They are refusing to take it down...surely that can't be right!