Laqndlords agents are claiming I owe them £693!!

devils_spawn

Here's the story, I moved into a rented flat on the 1st of December, I paid one months rent (£825) and 6 weeks deposit £1238 and also a letting agents fee of £150.

On the 11th of December I was made redundant and contacted the landlady who informed me she would return my deposit in full and not hold me to the minimum 6 months lease. She was excellent.

Now the estate agents are claiming that they are due 7% commission and that because I broke the contract, I will be liable for this. That's £693!!!

I obviously disagree but now they won't return my calls :mad:

Does anyone have any good ideas about how to get my money back?

clutton_2

talk to the landlady and tell her what is going on. did the agent "protect" your deposit in a scheme.

but, i must remind you that having signed a 6 months agreement, legally, you are bound to pay for 6 months rent. I would not rest easy till the LL: puts it in writing that she has let you out of this legal obligation. IF the agents are chasing her for money - she may then come after you.

Mrs_Thrify

"I will be liable for this" answers your own question unless you have something in writing that says diffrent? Bad start to 2008 - it can only get better

devils_spawn

I have nothing in writing that says I'm not liable - but then they have nothing in writing that says I am liable!!

The landlady has already re-leased the property so the estate agents are trying to get 12 months commission from me AND now another 12 months commision from the landlady for re-letting!!

Grrr. The landlady is aware of what is going on but she returned my deposit to the agents - it is them who won't return the deposit to me!

Generali

You're not liable to pay the LL's commission, only the rent unless you have specifically signed a contract stating that you are. As the LL released you from the contract you are not liable for the rent either.

Go to the CAB and get advice about suing the LAs. Bunch of effing leeches. I'll have them all horsewhipped or shot when I take over.

devils_spawn

I HATE estate agents with a passion... I figured I wasn't liable for it and they are just chancing their arm. Only problem is - no-one regulates estate agents so who do I contact when the simply refuse to refund my deposit?

Gorgeous_George

I'd start by checking that their windows are strong enough

I guess that's not helpful. Maybe you should write to the agent threatening action if your money is not returned within 7 days. Then, speak to a solicitor.

GG

Ewarwoowar2

The estate agent is under a duty to mitigate their loss i.e. get someone in to replace you ASAP. IF they replace you within the month their loss will be minimal.

devils_spawn

What annoyed me even further was that I was out the property by the 15th Dec (remember having paid a full months rent upto 1st Jan) and handed the keys back to the estate agent who lost them!!

They then called me last week to ask where are the keys?!!!!!!!! Imbeciles, they could have let the property earlier if they hadn't lost the keys!

I'm gonna give them one more try on the phone tomorrow, after that it's a strongly worded letter and a visit to CAB.

Generali

CAB first, letter second.

You have a contract with the LL, the LL appears to have released you from that.

The LL has a contract with the LA. That's between them and not your problem.

See the CAB and they'll tell you exactly what to write and then. It's a process and you need to follow the rules. You're in the right and so should win if you do things correctly.

EagerLearner

The estate agents will always try it on... talk to CAB, as the EA should be talking to the landlord about fees/loss of earninings (if applicable) not you. The few give all estate agents a bad name. The fact that we haven't found a perfect agents yet (and an Evil Ex-Landlady sage, which I won't go into here), made us go private 10 months ago.

Search Google for Dawn Advice if needed, I used them very helpful and free.

Good luck and I hope it all goes well for you!