We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: Hello Forumites! In order to help keep the Forum a useful, safe and friendly place for our users, discussions around non-MoneySaving matters are not permitted per the Forum rules. While we understand that mentioning house prices may sometimes be relevant to a user's specific MoneySaving situation, we ask that you please avoid veering into broad, general debates about the market, the economy and politics, as these can unfortunately lead to abusive or hateful behaviour. Threads that are found to have derailed into wider discussions may be removed. Users who repeatedly disregard this may have their Forum account banned. Please also avoid posting personally identifiable information, including links to your own online property listing which may reveal your address. Thank you for your understanding.
📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Can the letting agent withhold the tenants contact!

guohong
guohong Posts: 44 Forumite
Fourth Anniversary 10 Posts
in House buying, renting & selling
We are letting out a property via an agent as full management. The contract is ending and we are considering changing the agent to a cheaper one. The agent refuses to give us the tenants' contact and referred to the GDPR. Could anyone tell us whether that's correct or he is just trying to bluff?
Many thanks.
«1

Comments

  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Nah. You're the principal, they're the agent. Their data is your data. Though what contact information do you need? Presumably you can contact them by writing to them at the property anyway?
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    As David said any data they hold in essence belongs to you
  • guohong
    guohong Posts: 44 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Posts
    True I can write. But it'll take time to arrive and I'm afraid the agent will try to pursuit the tenant to leave.
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    guohong wrote: »
    True I can write. But it'll take time to arrive and I'm afraid the agent will try to pursuit the tenant to leave.

    Why would they do that?
  • guohong
    guohong Posts: 44 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Posts
    I just need his telephone number so I can call him to discuss how to transfer the contract. I certainly don't want him to leave because I can save some fees.
  • guohong
    guohong Posts: 44 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 10 Posts
    I guess he considers the tenant his customer (I don't think so). He probably has other properties waiting for tenants.
  • princeofpounds
    princeofpounds Posts: 10,396 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Unless you are sub-letting via the agent, the tenant has a contractual relationship with you. The agent is merely an agent, acting as your representative.

    The GDPR excuse is just a smokescreen. I don’t have time to go into the legals of it all right now but GDPR doesn’t work that way. You could even threaten to report the agent to the ICO for not disclosing data held on your behalf.

    The agent is probably going to try and get the tenant to move out anyway, and into another property they manage. Unless they are just hoping to bluff you into keeping the agent on.

    I don’t know why you are so against using a letter. It’s not ideal but a first class letter often arrives next day if posted early and guaranteed next day delivery is also possible. Even a second class would probably beat someone moving house!

    Just tell the tenant that you are ending your contract with the agent, that nothing is changing with regards to the letting, and asking to speak on the phone.
  • Comms69
    Comms69 Posts: 14,229 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Third Anniversary Name Dropper
    guohong wrote: »
    I guess he considers the tenant his customer (I don't think so). He probably has other properties waiting for tenants.

    I think you’re over thinking this- no tenant is going to leave in 3 days because a letting agent tells them to
  • Blackpool_Saver
    Blackpool_Saver Posts: 6,599 Forumite
    I would expect to be asked before my number was given to the LL
    Blackpool_Saver is female, and does not live in Blackpool

  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Blackpool_Saver wrote: »
    I would expect to be asked before my number was given to the LL
    On what basis? If you give your number to the LL's agent you can hardly be surprised that the LL knows it.
This discussion has been closed.
★ ★ ★ Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 354.8K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.5K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.6K Spending & Discounts
  • 247.6K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 604.5K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.6K Life & Family
  • 262.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16.1K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.
Update Your Picture