Unnecessary reference check

banginghats

I've been renting through my letting agency for five years, never missing a payment. I've now applied for another property through the same agency because my current landlord wants to sell. I've been asked to fill in a landlord reference/credit check by the agency that has been taking my rent for the last five years. On top of this, I've said I will pay a full year's rent up front because I don't have an income at the moment, as I'm looking after my elderly mum. Are they taking the mick and are doing this just to make more money from administration costs? It's like they will be asking themselves if I am a good tenant! I understand that they need to prove I'm British or have a legal right to be here, but I've done this every year for a few years now as well.

G_M

They are doing what their client (the new landlord) is instructing them to do.

banginghats

But the letting agency has effectively been my landlord for the last five years and I'm paying a year's rent in advance. Not sure what the point of paying in advance was really.

davidmcn

Hold on to your current property until the agency charges are abolished? Rent a new place from someone who isn't going to charge you?

G_M

banginghats wrote: »

But the letting agency has effectively been my landlord for the last five years and I'm paying a year's rent in advance. Not sure what the point of paying in advance was really.

Unless the owner of the property let the property to the agency, who sub-let it to you, then no - your landlord is ..... whoever is named as landlord on your tenancy agreement.

The agent (in most cases) is simply employed by him, just as is the electrician who is sent to fix the electrics and the gasSafe engineer who checks the boiler.

But yes, as david suggests - wait till leting charges are abolished (June 1st 2019) and then start looking.

Comms69

banginghats wrote: »

But the letting agency has effectively been my landlord for the last five years and I'm paying a year's rent in advance. Not sure what the point of paying in advance was really.

No they haven’t been.

banginghats

But they know I'm a good tenant that always pays on time. Isn't that all that matters?

banginghats

davidmcn wrote: »

Hold on to your current property until the agency charges are abolished? Rent a new place from someone who isn't going to charge you?

I wish I could, but I received a section 21 which runs out in less than two weeks.

kingstreet

There may be a form of insurance which covers the landlord in the event of non-payment or destruction of property which can only be activated if set procedures are followed.

An EA I worked for had a letting arm and it used LetSure for this, IIRC.

davidmcn

banginghats wrote: »

I wish I could, but I received a section 21 which runs out in less than two weeks.

That doesn't mean you need to leave immediately though:

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=67759913&postcount=4

G_M

banginghats wrote: »

But they know I'm a good tenant that always pays on time. Isn't that all that matters?

Maybe 'they' do.

But your new landlord does not. He wants to see your references etc etc.

I wish I could, but I received a section 21 which runs out in less than two weeks.

So in 2 weeks your current landlord might, or might not, decide he wants you to leave. Assuming the S21 is valid (there are 84 question in this S21 checklist here), he can then start the process to evict you (takes 1 - 3 months more)

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?