Issue with change of letting agent (as tenant)

celluauto

Hi,

I’m hoping someone may be able to provide some advice.  I live in a fully managed property, and have for the last 10 years.  At the start of the month, the current letting agent emailed tenants in all the properties to say that the landlord was changing agent from 1st November and we should hear shortly from them about details for setting up rent payments etc.  As my rent falls due on 1st of the month, I asked if I should cancel my standing order with them (the current agent) and they confirmed I should.

Several weeks passed without hearing anything so I contacted the existing agent to ask if they had any update.  They said they were just sending over all the tenants details that day and we should hear that week (last week).

Yesterday, I contacted the current agent again having still not heard anything and asked if they could provide the name or contact details of the new agent.  Our property manager had an out of office so I phoned them.  They dismissively told me to email them, which I did.  They replied saying that there was nothing they could do to help.  I spoke to some neighbours, who confirmed that nobody has heard anything and the current agent refuses to help (and one of the neighbours even said that their heating is not working and the agent won’t do anything about it).

I understand that the current agent is annoyed at losing significant business (the landlord had a lot of properties with them for decades).  However, that doesn’t really help us.  I’m now in the position where in a few days time my rent is due, and I have no way to pay it, because I don’t even know who the new agent is.  I can’t contact the landlord as it’s fully managed and the contact details provided on the contract are for the current agent’s address.

Does anyone have any advice about what I can do?  I’m feeling extremely anxious that I’m going to miss a rent payment (something I have never done in my life) through no fault of my own.  And I don’t have much faith that either agent is going to accept responsibility if that occurs.

Thank you in advance.

El_Torro

I wouldn't worry too much about missing the rent payment. If nobody is telling you where to pay it to that's not your fault. I imagine someone will get in touch pretty sharpish when it is due, even if that's your landlord. 

Have you asked the old letting agent for the landlord's contact details? I know you say they are not being particularly helpful though they might give you this at least.

My biggest concern would be if you need something repaired (like your neighbour) and you can't contact anyone to fix it. I would just sit tight for now, though do try to get in touch with the landlord directly.

caprikid1

Download the details from the land registry

user1977

caprikid1 said:

Download the details from the land registry

Which won't necessarily give you current contact details.

But unless there's an actual need to contact the landlord, I would just sit tight until they want their rent paid.

celluauto

Thanks - I guess sitting tight may be my best option.  Previous neighbours have tried to get the contact details of the landlord from the agent before, but have been refused - my understanding is the landlord does not want direct contact with the tenants whatsoever.

RAS

Your new landlord/agent has to write to you with the details of how to pay.

Until such time put your current rent into a separate account. Ideally name it Rent owed LL, if not just Rent. 

_Penny_Dreadful

celluauto said:

Thanks - I guess sitting tight may be my best option.  Previous neighbours have tried to get the contact details of the landlord from the agent before, but have been refused - my understanding is the landlord does not want direct contact with the tenants whatsoever.

Tough titties for the landlord.

Assuming these rental properties are in England then the tenants have a legal right (s.1 Landlord and Tenant Act 1985) to request, in writing, the landlord's name and address from the letting agent or the person who last received/demanded the rent.  The letting agent or person who last received/demanded the rent must provide the details to the tenant within 21 days.

Failure to do so and the landlord, letting agent or person who last received/demanded the rent, as appropriate, can be prosecuted by the local authority and a fine of up to £2,500 can be imposed in the magistrates court.

_Penny_Dreadful

celluauto said:

Hi,

I’m hoping someone may be able to provide some advice.  I live in a fully managed property, and have for the last 10 years.  At the start of the month, the current letting agent emailed tenants in all the properties to say that the landlord was changing agent from 1st November and we should hear shortly from them about details for setting up rent payments etc.  As my rent falls due on 1st of the month, I asked if I should cancel my standing order with them (the current agent) and they confirmed I should.

Several weeks passed without hearing anything so I contacted the existing agent to ask if they had any update.  They said they were just sending over all the tenants details that day and we should hear that week (last week).

Yesterday, I contacted the current agent again having still not heard anything and asked if they could provide the name or contact details of the new agent.  Our property manager had an out of office so I phoned them.  They dismissively told me to email them, which I did.  They replied saying that there was nothing they could do to help.  I spoke to some neighbours, who confirmed that nobody has heard anything and the current agent refuses to help (and one of the neighbours even said that their heating is not working and the agent won’t do anything about it).

I understand that the current agent is annoyed at losing significant business (the landlord had a lot of properties with them for decades).  However, that doesn’t really help us.  I’m now in the position where in a few days time my rent is due, and I have no way to pay it, because I don’t even know who the new agent is.  I can’t contact the landlord as it’s fully managed and the contact details provided on the contract are for the current agent’s address.

Does anyone have any advice about what I can do?  I’m feeling extremely anxious that I’m going to miss a rent payment (something I have never done in my life) through no fault of my own.  And I don’t have much faith that either agent is going to accept responsibility if that occurs.

Thank you in advance.

As others have said, I wouldn't worry about not paying the rent 1st November if no one has contacted you to tell you where to pay it.  The landlord or the new letting agent will soon sing out when the money isn't received.