Issue with letting agent?

Issue with letting agent?

9:24 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago 14

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Hi, I am a landlord and have given my letting agent notice due to their numerous errors and lack of competence. The notice period is 6 months, but I requested a reduction due to their mistakes, which was denied.

I asked the letting agent not to advise my tenant that I was giving my notice as I would let him know nearer the time in person. I am still keeping the apartment and the tenant – just switching to a better agent.

The agent went against my wishes and sent my tenant a letter saying that with immediate effect they would no longer be contracted to look after the apartment and to go through myself for everything such as maintenance and rent collection.

I know this letter is an error with the wrong timeframe. But can we take them at their word with immediate effect and can my tenant stop paying rent to them?

Many thanks,

Darwin


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Dylan Morris

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10:23 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago

Yes I’d say so. The agent has made it clear to tenant that they’re no longer managing the property or collecting rent. So ask the tenant to pay rent direct to yourself as per the letter. And take a copy of the letter for your records. If agent complains then tough they sent the letter …..and if they threaten court action against you I’d produce the letter at Court.
(And why not just manage the property yourself in future and save some money. If you join the NRLA they have some very useful information on their website and a telephone helpline so you will have lots of support. Give it a go but if it doesn’t work out you can always employ another agent).

Judith Wordsworth

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10:33 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago

As Dylan Morris said.

Either manage yourself, you need a list of local tradesmen ie plumber, electrician, handyman (like gold dust), registered gas engineer if plumber doesn’t do gas safety checks.

Personally I wouldn’t join the NRLA, but would join Pims.co.uk. They don’t try to sell you overpriced/expensive courses.

Paddy O'Dawes

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10:34 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago

Communicate with the letting agency stating that you are disappointed with their lack of professionalism by contacting the tenant outside of your wishes. Underline the fact they have stated that the contract between yourself and the agency is dissolved with immediate effect and explain you now understand you are free to place the management of the property with a different agency as they have unilaterally ended the agreement despite your offer of utilising the 6 month exit period. Also take the time to ask about their formsl complaints process and membership to any professionsl organisations for further redress.Then wait for the response and see what the next move is

Dylan Morris

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10:38 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 12/06/2024 - 10:33
You don’t have to buy the courses and I’ve never had any pressure to do so.

Dylan Morris

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10:40 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Paddy O'Dawes at 12/06/2024 - 10:34I wouldn’t even bother doing that just gives them the option to say sorry we made a mistake. Just get the rent paid direct to yourself and move on.

Darwin

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11:06 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Dylan Morris at 12/06/2024 - 10:23
Hi
Thank you for your reply - and you are right, I should run the property myself as I have been doing so over the past year even though I paid for fully managed and this is what I shall now do.

Darwin

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11:08 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Judith Wordsworth at 12/06/2024 - 10:33
Thank you for your reply - I have now decided to run the property myself, I have over the year been collating reliable people as I have virtually been running the property myself the agent has been so bad.

Darwin

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11:13 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Paddy O'Dawes at 12/06/2024 - 10:34
Thank you for replying - I have just completed a complaint form. I have also asked my tenant to start paying me direct when the rent is next due - he is happy with this as the agent let him down many times over maintenance and other issues.

Freda Blogs

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11:22 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago

Don’t burn any bridges before you’ve dealt with the deposit and you have obtained control of it.

An agent I used once unilaterally returned my tenant’s deposit to the tenant in full, mid tenancy, without reason and without consulting me, and I only found out after the tenant gave notice. Luckily the tenant was very good and there was no need for deductions, so no problem, luckily. Could have been much worse.

Darwin

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11:40 AM, 12th June 2024, About 4 months ago

Reply to the comment left by Freda Blogs at 12/06/2024 - 11:22
Thank you for your comment - I am in the process of getting the deposit back which they have charged me for - I have opened a TDS account. My tenant is very good and I know he would repay me if they gave it to him in error/on purpose. But thanks for the advice.

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