Nobody is collecting my rent... How do I reach my landlord???

dazandgail

Hi, this is my first post here so thanks in advance for any help...
I rent a house where I have lived for about 4 years now. I was paying rent through an agent but they stopped collecting it a couple of months ago.
When I called them them about this I was informed that the reason for it was that they no longer managed the tenancy. I asked if they could pass on details of a new agent or the landlord but they couldn't or wouldn't give me any details. They did say that they would contact the landlord and pass on my details but I have yet to hear anything.
My tenancy agreement only includes a name, the address of landlord is listed as the (ex) agent.
1. Who do I contact to find out where to pay my rent. 
2. CanI be held liable to any charges relating to non payment. 

Apodemus

I'd open a new bank account somewhere and just keeping paying your rent to that account, so that when the owners contact you, you have the cash sitting ready to pay to them.  Apart from that, relax - I'm sure they'll be in touch soon enough. 

AdrianC

Open a separate savings account.
Pay your rent into that each month.
When the landlord does re-appear, you can pay him the rent you owe him legally.

No, you do not have any get-out clause.

How long is it since you spoke to the agent? A "couple of months"? Chase them.
Is the property registered at the Land Registry? If so, who does it show as the owner? Any address for them other than the property? Is there a charge for a mortgage lender?

moneysavinghero

You could try and download the deeds of the property from the Land registry - they might show his new address.

Under section 48 of the L&T act you have the right to know the Landlords address. If you don't know it then you are able to withhold rent. So just keep putting it aside into a savings account until the LL does appear.

The agency has a legal obligation to provide you with the LL's address. But as they are not technically the agent anymore i am not sure whether this still applies. You could try asking quoting Section 1 of the Landlord & Tenant Act 1985.

Some other options here:
https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/private_renting/how_to_find_your_landlord

SDLT_Geek

If the landlord is not UK resident you might need to register with HMRC for the Non-resident Landlord Scheme and deduct tax from the rent.  See in https://www.gov.uk/guidance/paying-tax-on-rent-to-landlords-abroad the section on "What you need to do if you're a tenant".

The_Real_Cheddar_Bob

Worse thing you can do is spend the money. It will bite you. 

Follow the suggestions, put the money to one side. Another point, if you wanted to leave, who would you give notice to?

Mickey666

You've done what you can.

I would make sure you have the above account in writing/email.  If not, write to the agent explaining the situation and requesting them to ask the landlord to contact you directly to make new arrangements for rental payments.  You need to have a formal record of the situation to show you have behaved reasonably in trying to pay your rent.

Then, I'd pay the rent into a savings account so that when the situation is sorted out you have the money reaily available to pay the money owed.

I doubt you can be held liable for any charges relating to non-payment if you can prove you have made all reasonable attempts to pay, but I think you'll still be liable to pay any outstanding rent.  Hence the suggestion to pay it into a savings account until you can pay the landlord in future.

HampshireH

I always find it odd when landlords don't collect the rent. Have the agents alluded to why they no longer represent? For example did the contract end and they had no word from the landlord or did the landlord choose to end it.

Not many of us can afford not to receive that sort of income monthly. Unless they died of course, but the agency have implied that's not the case here.

From your side you currently have

* No account to pay rent to

* No contact in an emergency
* No contact for repairs and maintenance
* No contact to serve notice to (though I assume until you are notified by the landlord your current tenancy states the agency and you would continue to do this until provided with a different address)

macman

The LL could have died or been incapacitated since switching LA's. They could have left the country, gone to prison. They could have multiple properties and simply 'forgot' to collect the rent from this one, bizarre though that might seem.
OP why don't you contact the agent again to see if they had any response? As others have pointed out, non-collection of rent does not mean that you no longer owe it.

dazandgail

Thanks all,
I am of course keeping the money to one side until such a time as it is demanded. I was under no illusion that the outstanding rent balance might be written off, it was late/non payment charges that worried me.
My initial exchanges with the old agent were by telephone but I have now emailed them to form a paper trail.

I shall try the land registry as suggested, is this chargeable? 
As mentioned I also have no contact for emergencies, repairs etc (hadn't even thought of this) so let's hope I can find him before anything happens eh! 
Thanks again for all your suggestions. 
Darren

moneysavinghero

Landregistry charge £3

https://www.gov.uk/search-property-information-land-registry

You won't have to pay any late/non payment charges as under section 48 of Landlord and Tenant act you are legally allowed to withhold rent where you do not have the LL's details.