Agent fees on property sold to tenant

by Readers Question

4:57 PM, 13th July 2015, 11 years ago 1

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Landlord News Landlords Questions

I have just been made an offer from my current tenant to buy the house he is renting from me. Ok, I do not wish to go through the agent who is managing the letting but have noticed in the contract that I have to pay them 1.5% + vat if I sell to a tenant introduced by them.

The tenant has been in the property for five years so the agent has had approx. £6000
over that time for basically collecting and paying the rent to me. I did have the property up for sale with them five years ago before deciding to rent it.

I can not see how they can charge me when I do not have a contract with them to sell the property. It also makes me suspicious as he has said he will reduce it to 0.5% + vat for having been a good customer.

Is it legal what he is saying as I am reluctant to pay anything as he hasn’t actually done anything.

Any advice will be most appreciated.

Mark

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Comments

Bob Sherwood

Comments: 11

3:12 PM, 14th July 2015, About 11 years ago

Write back saying that they had no input whatsoever into the sale, nor did you appoint them as your Estate Agents or seller, and they did not advertise the property for you. They simply introduced a tenant which they were paid for, explain further that they did not introduce an arms length buyer, therefore there claim is VAGUE, VOID AND UNENFORCEABLE FOR UNCERTAINTY. The last six words are your escape clause. Good Luck.

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