Letting agents termination fees

Letting agents termination fees

11:49 AM, 14th March 2015, About 9 years ago 3

Text Size

If a landlord terminates a contract with a letting agent at the end of a fixed term, can the agent still charge the landlord because the tenant remains? Letting agents termination fees

Thanks

Fred Jones


Share This Article


Comments

Mark Alexander - Founder of Property118

11:52 AM, 14th March 2015, About 9 years ago

Hi Fred

It depends on the wording of the contract and whether or not it is clear. This was established in case law when the OFT took Foxtons Estate Agents to task over the matter – see >>> http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-1689826/Foxtons-unfair-landlord-fees-are-banned.html

Foxtons do still charge these fees and are allowed to get away with it on the basis that it is now clearly expressed in their contracts with landlords.
.

13:53 PM, 16th March 2015, About 9 years ago

As Mark says, read the T'c and C's that your agent gave you.Most agents (including me) usually provide for a hefty exit charge if you're keeping the tenant but dispensing with the agent's service.

The reason is that we don't want landlords trying the tenant out for six months, then leaving us saddled with it if it proves to be a troublesome tenancy, but dumping us if its a nice straightforward tenancy.

PS Occasionally landlords try to be clever and say "Aha, I didn't sign your terms of business so you can't hold me to its terms". They're wrong - if they've allowed me to let their property and accepted rent minus management fees from me then they have, by their actions accepted my terms of business and are bound by them.

Chris Amis

9:25 AM, 18th March 2015, About 9 years ago

I always read the T&Cs BEFORE the agent finds tenants, it is surprising the number of agent who refuse to let me see the contract before, needless to say they did not get my business.

Leave Comments

In order to post comments you will need to Sign In or Sign Up for a FREE Membership

or

Don't have an account? Sign Up

Landlord Tax Planning Book Now