My complaint against my landlords is ….

My complaint against my landlords is ….

11:16 AM, 22nd March 2015, About 9 years ago 65

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So glad there is a platform for tenant support – I feel really screwed! My complaint against my landlords is ....

So my partner and I have been living in a property for just under one year. When we originally looked and moved into the property, WE requested two years as we wanted to keep the high London costs to a minimum for the two years we expected to live at the property.

However, I have been made redundant 9.5 months into our tenancy, and can no longer afford the rent in London, and my partner and I have decided to move out of London.

We have the landlord 9 weeks notice, stating we would like to leave on May 16th, (one year after starting the tenancy and one years early termination).

Our landlord has agreed to this and is happy to find new tenant.

HERE IS THE PROBLEM

He has stated that on starting the agreement, our landlord paid the letting agency the value of 7% of 24 months rent (what I believe is a finders fee).

As we are ending the tenancy early, he has said we have to pay that remaining fee! Approximately £1300!!!

I understand that if we end the tenancy early we have to pay until the agreement ends (or as soon as other tenants are allocated) but I don’t see why we have to pay HIS fees?!

Can you let me know if we do have to pay this!?

Thanks

Lewis Fountain


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Comments

James dengel

16:08 PM, 30th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Not to re-ignite a fire here but is it common for letting agents to charge a % value for finding a tenant for the entire length that the tenant stays in the property ? I have found my tenants on my own, having a retired mother is a small advantage.

And also is this normally paid upfront ?

It does seem to me that the letting company should find "The Landlord" another tenant free of charge as he has paid for a tenant for 2 years upfront. I'm not arguing that the tenant is not liable for any void period in-between however.

Joe Bloggs

16:40 PM, 30th March 2015, About 9 years ago

in my experience letting agents fees and terms are highly negotiable and of course they will get away with / charge whatever the LL agrees/ fails to strike out of their terms.

11:35 AM, 1st April 2015, About 9 years ago

This case is interesting. Shelter / Labour / Guardianistas etc all want longer rental contracts to benefit the tenants with some permanency. But life is flexible and sometimes 6 month ASTs are the best bet, and then again sometimes longer tenancies are best. You won't always know without hindsight. I think instances of people needing early release from long term tenancies will be a lot higher than Shelter etc think.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

11:48 AM, 1st April 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Roanch 21" at "01/04/2015 - 11:35":

We provided the solution years ago, but as it wasn't created by Shelter/Labour they refuse to promote it.

For details of the solution search this website or Google for "Deed of Assurance"
.

Chris Unwin

12:01 PM, 2nd April 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Joe Bloggs" at "23/03/2015 - 23:39":

Sorry, but all this reminds of a joke about a tenant who wanted to pull one over on his honest and responsible landlord by logging onto a landlord's Support Website for help and advice on how to do it!!

money manager

12:24 PM, 2nd April 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Lew Hfa" at "24/03/2015 - 09:48":

"my agreement states that I can end the tenancy early without a break clause as long as the landlord agrees ". Don't the last six words constitute a break clause?

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

15:30 PM, 2nd April 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "money manager" at "02/04/2015 - 12:24":

No, because the landlord has not agreed.
.

Joe Bloggs

15:58 PM, 2nd April 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Chris Unwin" at "02/04/2015 - 12:01":

think i see what you are saying, but is the purpose of the forum to provide a united front for LL's or openly discuss best practise.

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

16:06 PM, 2nd April 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Joe Bloggs" at "02/04/2015 - 15:58":

The purpose of the forum is to facilitate the sharing of best practice amongst landlords, tenants and letting agents.

Clearly there will be differences of opinion from time to time, as this particular discussion thread has proven.
.

Lew Hfa

16:14 PM, 2nd April 2015, About 9 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Chris Unwin" at "02/04/2015 - 12:01":

I asked a simple question so I was aware of my rights as a tenant, and asking landlords would be the most logical solution. No need to call my question a joke as this is a genuine concern on tenants that isn't made clear when starting the tenancy. I speak regularly and honestly with my landlord, I was looking for further advice.

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