Is my letting agent breaching contract by partial rent payments?

Thank you everyone.
I have spoken to the tenants and they have confirmed and shown me proof of a full payment.
No repairs needed to the property atm. So no need for money to be held back
It is now over a week and still have not received the other half of the payment from the letting agent.

Bin the agent

Before the next rent payment get the tenant to pay you directly and inform the agents they’re suspended with for breach of contract.

The agent hasn’t got a leg to stand on.

Reply to the comment left by A Stone at 04/03/2024 – 13:31
Have you actually asked the agent for an explanation?

Whilst it seems poor service, and as others said you probably need to get out now, but it would be good to know what their reason (excuse) is.

You need to find out what’s going on and why without your agreement you are in this situation. Once you know you can then take the action, if it’s the agent holding money back because of the cash flow and the agreement is they pay you all the money within a set time they are in breach and you need to serve them notice that they are in breach of contract. If it’s a tenant issue, you will want to know why you haven’t been notified of this and had your agreement to any temporary or New process for payment .

As you’ve confirmed the tenant is paying the full rent on time the obvious implication is that your agent is having cash flow problems and using client money to prop things up.
In your position I would urgently check that your agent has a dedicated client money account as they should, that they have client money insurance and professional indemnity insurance. Are they registered with a professional body and dispute resolution service; and most of all – is your tenants deposit definitely protected? You can check this yourself online.

Lots of potentially excellent advice on this thread.

I would suggest you pick up a phone or if possible call in and ask, “Why?”

Very likely a simple answer as reflected by some comments before.