Landlord wants to get rid of letting agent

Poloplayer

I need some advice regarding my current situation. I have rented a property for the last year from a private landlord through a letting agent. The landlord now wants to get rid of the agent and I rent directly through her. As a tenant what are the advantages/ disadvantages for me? I have rented privately through a landlord before and it was awful as he was a horrible man who bullied me so I have been happy renting through an a gent as I feel I have some protection. I have a good relationship ship with my landlord but I’m wary .. any advice ? Thank you x

flashg67

It is the landlord's choice. You might feel like it does, but there's really no difference. The agent is paid by the landlord so effectively works for them, so should be no difference really

da_rule

What protection? Ultimately the agent works for the landlord.

It’s a decision only you can really make. If you prefer to rent through an agent then give notice.

G_M

Since this is a matter entirely for the landlord, and since there is nothing you can do about it (except serve proper notice and then leave), why worry?

Some landlords are excellent, some are rubbish. Just as some leting agents are excellent, some are rubbish.

On balance I'd say that a LL who has used an agent and then decided to fire them is probably going to be one who takes the job seriously, otherwise he'd continue with the 'easy option' of using an agent.


Advice? Either leave, or work cooperatively with your landlord eg by switching your rent payments as instructed in writing, without causing a fuss.

ileven1225

Regarding rental payment, due to the tenancy fee ban, the landlord needs to pay additionally now, so if you agree to get rid of agent, the rental payment shall be reduced. The landlord doesn’t need to pay agent for set up fee and management fee either. You can figure out the number and perhaps get a good deal with landlord?

As everyone says, some agents are good and some are bad, I had both awful and good experience with private landlord. Some private landlord are not professional at all and even they were legally wrong , you don’t want to spend time on such hassles, so you might prefer deal with agents. It applies to agent as well unfortunately. It’s completely hit and miss!

[Deleted User]

ileven1225 wrote: »

Regarding rental payment, due to the tenancy fee ban, the landlord needs to pay additionally now, so if you agree to get rid of agent, the rental payment shall be reduced. The landlord doesn’t need to pay agent for set up fee and management fee either. You can figure out the number and perhaps get a good deal with landlord?

As everyone says, some agents are good and some are bad, I had both awful and good experience with private landlord. Some private landlord are not professional at all and even they were legally wrong , you don’t want to spend time on such hassles, so you might prefer deal with agents. It applies to agent as well unfortunately. It’s completely hit and miss!

Not necessarily. Landlord can charge what they want agent fees or not. Can't see the hem reducing the rent to take into account their cancellation of the agent. The property would have been priced accordingly prior to the OP moving in.

eddddy

I guess it depends why the LL is dissatisfied with the agent.

For example, I've heard complaints from LLs about agents who are constantly sending in handymen to fix minor issues at the tenants' request, who then charge exorbitant fees.

(Because the agent's t&cs say they don't need the LL's approval for small jobs, and the agent has ulterior reasons for giving lots of work to the handymen.)

Have you complained about lots of small issues, which needed somebody to come in and fix them?

Brilley

....I have just done this. ie been using an agent for the last 3 years and now going self managed. The main reason for me is that it enables me to have a slightly increased income without the need to put the rent up for the tenant. (We have not put the rent up for the last 3 years and I don't really want to put the rent up for another couple of years as our tenant is really good and we would like them to stay).

G_M

What a load of misleading xxxx!

ileven1225 wrote: »

Regarding rental payment, due to the tenancy fee ban, the landlord needs to pay additionally now,
I assume you mean pay any agent extra. That may or may not be true. We have no information.

so if you agree to get rid of agent,
????? There is no question of the tenant 'ageeing', or not agreeing. The tenant has no choice in the matter. Either the landlord chooses to employ an agent, or they choose not to.

the rental payment shall be reduced.
Rubbish. The rent is as specified in the tenancy agreement. Whether the LL chooses to pay an agent to collect that rent, or chooses to take on that task himself, has no impact on the rent specified in the contract with the tenant.

The landlord doesn’t need to pay agent for set up fee and management fee either. You can figure out the number and perhaps get a good deal with landlord?
As with any contract, if/when it is renewed, it can be re-negotiated. But the LL is likely to want compensation for the additional work, time and effort he will be putting into managing the tenancy if he no longer has an agent doing this for him.

Hope these corrections assist.

Comms69

ileven1225 wrote: »

Regarding rental payment, due to the tenancy fee ban, the landlord needs to pay additionally now, so if you agree to get rid of agent, the rental payment shall be reduced. - Nonsense The landlord doesn’t need to pay agent for set up fee and management fee either. You can figure out the number and perhaps get a good deal with landlord? - oh stop it

As everyone says, some agents are good and some are bad, I had both awful and good experience with private landlord. Some private landlord are not professional at all and even they were legally wrong , you don’t want to spend time on such hassles, so you might prefer deal with agents. - it's the landlords choice, not the tenants It applies to agent as well unfortunately. It’s completely hit and miss!

think you need to be carful with your advice

theartfullodger

A job for the Kray twins....