Property management agency kept charging me rent after i left

Daniel87

When I vacated the rental property, I promptly informed the property rental agency about my departure. They checked and assured me my rent was paid up until that date. However, to my dismay, I recently discovered that they continued to charge me rent even after I had left the property. I want to highlight that I left the property in impeccable condition; there was no damage, and I had undertaken a thorough deep cleaning before my departure. Given these circumstances, I fail to comprehend the rationale behind their actions. What course of action can I take to rectify this situation?

user1977

Did your tenancy actually end? Merely moving out doesn't end a tenancy.

MattMattMattUK

Daniel87 said:

When I vacated the rental property, I promptly informed the property rental agency about my departure. They checked and assured me my rent was paid up until that date. However, to my dismay, I recently discovered that they continued to charge me rent even after I had left the property. I want to highlight that I left the property in impeccable condition; there was no damage, and I had undertaken a thorough deep cleaning before my departure. Given these circumstances, I fail to comprehend the rationale behind their actions.

Have you asked them?

Other than that, when did your tenancy end? If your tenancy has not formally ended then you are still required to pay the rent even if you have vacated the property. 

propertyrental

Did you move out on the date the fixed term ended?
Or if the tenancy was periodic (rolling), did you serve proper notice to end the tenancy, with the required notice period?

When I vacated the rental property, I promptly informed the property rental agency about my departure. They checked and assured me my rent was paid up until that date.

Sounds like you just moved out and then told them. That's not serving proper notice.

And OK, they confirmed the rent was up to date, but again, that does not affect further rent requirements.

Daniel87

yes i informed them, and they agreed, saying if i will ever need rent from them to let them know, the contract was on minimum 6 months , i stayed few years there, i was paying weekly it was a HMO.
I was hoping to end my tenancy that week when i informed them, accepting to lose the bond.

theartfullodger

Agreed to what - you leaving or ending of tenancy please?

Just departing does not end a tenancy nor liability for rent.

Understand it was a HMO - joint or individual (room only ) tenancy that you signed, please?

What evidence (email or letter from  them, copy of you giving notice etc) do you have please?

propertyrental

Daniel87 said:

yes i informed them, and they agreed, saying if i will ever need rent from them to let them know, the contract was on minimum 6 months , i stayed few years there, i was paying weekly it was a HMO.
I was hoping to end my tenancy that week when i informed them, accepting to lose the bond.

'informed them' of what? Please quote the exact wording you used, and whether it was oral, letter, email or what?

'they agreed'. Again, agreed what? Please quote the exact wording they used.

Sounds like you had a weekly periodic tenancy. Unless the original tenancy agreement says otherwise (if so, please quote) then the normal notice period would be 4 weeks.

Robbo66

Did you pay via standing order if so you should have cancelled it as the agents are unable to do that for you. Letting agents generally tend to not have a facility to use direct debits where the money has to be requested whereas standing orders the payment is pre authorised and only you can amend or cancel this.

HobgoblinBT

OP, you say you have been charged rent.  Do you mean sent an invoice or a request for rent or has a payment in respect of rent been made from your bank account?  Rental agents receive many rent payments by standing order that are instructed by the tenant rather than being taken by the Rental agent under a direct debit.   If this is the case have you told your bank to cancel the rent standing order?

penners324

How was it being paid?

First request a refund, if not invoke the Ditect Debit indemnity clause with your bank.

Daniel87

I just called them over the phone to tell them: " i am leaving the property, my room will be empty in 2 days, i want to cancel my contract. They ask me to wait a moment while they checked if evrything was paid, i told them i will leave the keys to another tenant, and that's all.

From what i remember it was stipulated that I must provide the property rental agency with a notice period of four weeks before canceling the tenancy agreement. And failing to notify them 4 weeks in advance would result in losing my bond, wich is fine.

I was making bank transfers without standing order.

They haven't deducted any funds from me, but they send me an email saying I owe them money.
They can't take any money from my account, unless i send them, but is affecting my credit score i guess and if want to rent something else in future might be difficult.