Landlords and Goodlord

Pyxis

Have any landlords whose property is managed by an agent had any experience of Goodlord?

My agent has just started using this firm, and I have been asked to sign an online form which appears to have onerous clauses in the Terms and Conditions.

I don't know why I've been asked to do this when my contract is with the agent.

Has anyone else come across this?

G_M

Well have you looked at what they will do for you? And why?


* Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?

need_an_answer

A quick google of the company and a look round the website suggests to me that its a platform based company that will do things like referencing on behalf of the agent at presumably a cheaper price than they can charge LL's for the same service going forward.

Perhaps this sort of company is where agents will outsource referencing and even collating maintenance issues going forward

The concept of agents outsourcing aspects of their work is never good in my opinion...its just going to create another layer between the agent/LL/tenant and slow thing down rather than dealing direct

Pyxis

G_M wrote: »

Well have you looked at what they will do for you? And why?

* Letting agents: how should a landlord select or sack?

Yes, I did read your sticky before I started this thread. Thank you for that.

My agents have been just that for the last two years. This is something that has just been sprung on me.

need_an_answer wrote: »

A quick google of the company and a look round the website suggests to me that its a platform based company that will do things like referencing on behalf of the agent at presumably a cheaper price than they can charge LL's for the same service going forward.

Perhaps this sort of company is where agents will outsource referencing and even collating maintenance issues going forward

The concept of agents outsourcing aspects of their work is never good in my opinion...its just going to create another layer between the agent/LL/tenant and slow thing down rather than dealing direct

That makes sense.
They obviously want to make savings in the light of recent new regulations.

It's just that I would have to open an online account with Goodlord, and reading the terms and conditions, they sound really awful!

I haven't yet signed, but wanted to get as much info as possible before going back to the agents.


So just wondering if any other landlords have had experience of them.

BarleyGB

Goodlord dealt with the paperwork for a property I’m renting via an agent (landlord is local property company). They only dealt with referencing and fees were reasonable. Process was smoothe, no issues.

Pyxis

BarleyGB wrote: »

Goodlord dealt with the paperwork for a property I’m renting via an agent (landlord is local property company). They only dealt with referencing and fees were reasonable. Process was smoothe, no issues.

Thank you, Barley, I appreciate your input.

However, I am really asking about any Landlords' experiences, as some of the clauses in the Terms and Conditions I am being asked to sign up to seem quite draconian.

So it is the landlord input I'm really looking for.

Many thanks, though.

need_an_answer

Pyxis..I haven't been able to find T & C's online for goodlord,I'm assuming as a LL you don't get to see them until the point of sign up...

What sort of conditions are there,are you able to give an example?

How does signing up with them now render the previous agreement you had with the letting agents you currently use?

Is there an opt out of Goodlord or is it a complete tie in...


Are other local agents also following suit and signing up with them and I suppose the question is to the Letting Agent is as this is a possibly substantial change in the agreement you previously signed with them,is there the option to leave without penalty.


I've been speaking to my agent about what happens post June and many agencies they believe have just panicked and tried to find cheaper alternatives for agreements,possibly opting more for online bulk systems than they may have previously.

Im with a local independent agent who has always charged much less than the larger corporate type agencies so whilst they know there will still be an impact its not as going to be a major dip in the service or level of service they provide simply because yes they do need rental income but they don't have the large overheads that many chain agencies have,so are able to spread the costs a little easier.

What type of contract do you have?..and for example if its fully managed have you considered diluting it to tenant find only...I was fully managed at the beginning but soon came away although I do rely on my agents experience in finding a tenant.

Maybe looking towards an independent or smaller agency might be an option for you if you are not comfortable with this new planned tie up with Goodlord.

Pyxis

Thanks, Need an Answer.

My contract with the agent is for fully managed, which I wish to keep on that basis, due to being ill a lot and so not in a position to trouble-shoot when there are problems. I am happy with the fee they charge for that.
They are, as far as I am aware, a local independent firm, or were at the start.

I will reply more fully a bit later, as I have to go through the Ts and Cs with Goodlord, again, but there does appear to be a complete tie-in.

I will quote from it later.