Request LLs contact details?

spencerrothchild

We have asked the letting agent we pay our rent to for the LLs contact details to explain why we can’t pay at rent at the moment. They refuse to give it to us for over 20 days now. What is my next step to take legal action?

this is what they keep saying when requesting in writing for my LLs contact details-

Thank you for your e-mail, apologies, I had missed it last week. Unfortunately, we are not authorised to release your landlord’s (or any others in that regard) contact details. The landlords are paying us for the management service which includes dealing with the tenants so they don’t have to.

 

Please could you give me an update on your situation.

spencerrothchild

What is the next thing to say to my letting agent to get the LLs contact details?


shall I remind them that if I have officially requested it they have to give it to me by law within 20 something days?

if they break the law then what are my best options to bring legal act against them?

Comms69

Remind them they have to by law release your landlords details. 

Unfortunately you cannot take action, it's something trading standards deal with (iirc)

spencerrothchild

Comms69 said:

Remind them they have to by law release your landlords details. 

Unfortunately you cannot take action, it's something trading standards deal with (iirc)

I have reminded them

what else can I do

csgohan4

you can get the LL details from the land registry assuming your LL is not acting  on behalf of the owner of the property

vitaweat

csgohan4 said:

you can get the LL details from the land registry assuming your LL is not acting  on behalf of the owner of the property

That's not always the case.  
Legally you have to be supplied with the landlord's contact details.  
There are two offences being committed here: a civil one under S48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act and a criminal one under S1 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Under S48 you may withhold your rent until provided with the Landlord's name and address.  Once provided, you will be required to pay back rent.  You cannot be evicted for non-payment of rent until you have been given the Landlord's details.
Under S1, the EA is committing a criminal offence by failing to provide the Landlord's name and address within 21 days of the request.

I would withhold rent if I were you (given that is your desired outcome anyway) and leave the ball in the EA's court.  It's not your fault if they don't understand the rules.  If they give you any grief then contact your local council and ask them to investigate.  The police should do this but normally don't want to get involved.

spencerrothchild

vitaweat said:

csgohan4 said:

you can get the LL details from the land registry assuming your LL is not acting  on behalf of the owner of the property

That's not always the case.  
Legally you have to be supplied with the landlord's contact details.  
There are two offences being committed here: a civil one under S48 of the Landlord and Tenant Act and a criminal one under S1 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.

Under S48 you may withhold your rent until provided with the Landlord's name and address.  Once provided, you will be required to pay back rent.  You cannot be evicted for non-payment of rent until you have been given the Landlord's details.
Under S1, the EA is committing a criminal offence by failing to provide the Landlord's name and address within 21 days of the request.

I would withhold rent if I were you (given that is your desired outcome anyway) and leave the ball in the EA's court.  It's not your fault if they don't understand the rules.  If they give you any grief then contact your local council and ask them to investigate.  The police should do this but normally don't want to get involved.

Thanks you so much

this is a very helpful post

davidmcn

vitaweat said:

csgohan4 said:

you can get the LL details from the land registry assuming your LL is not acting  on behalf of the owner of the property

Legally you have to be supplied with the landlord's contact details.  

Though it's competent (I think) to be told that's simply "c/o the agent".

vitaweat

davidmcn said:

vitaweat said:

csgohan4 said:

you can get the LL details from the land registry assuming your LL is not acting  on behalf of the owner of the property

Legally you have to be supplied with the landlord's contact details.  

Though it's competent (I think) to be told that's simply "c/o the agent".

No.  It creates an imbalance where the LL can serve you with notices but you can't serve him reliably which is why S48 and S1 were put into law.

davidmcn

vitaweat said:

davidmcn said:

vitaweat said:

csgohan4 said:

you can get the LL details from the land registry assuming your LL is not acting  on behalf of the owner of the property

Legally you have to be supplied with the landlord's contact details.  

Though it's competent (I think) to be told that's simply "c/o the agent".

No.  It creates an imbalance where the LL can serve you with notices but you can't serve him reliably which is why S48 and S1 were put into law.

Yes, but if you've been told you can serve notices at the agent then that's s.48 satisfied - it doesn't require you to be told where the landlord actually lives.

Dreambox

davidmcn said:

Yes, but if you've been told you can serve notices at the agent then that's s.48 satisfied - it doesn't require you to be told where the landlord actually lives.

Yeah, they actually can't, because it would violate his privacy.