Management agency just said “read the brochure”

Management agency just said “read the brochure”

8:34 AM, 7th March 2017, About 7 years ago 5

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My property management agency has increased its fees by 50% with no prior notice. When I complained to the manager and I was told told that this was stated in the brochure I received when I approached the company and that if I leave the agency I would have to pay three times the rent value plus VAT. brochure

I replied that I have not received any brochure (all communication was done by email) nor signed any documents in which I agreed to pay such fee or penalty. I have not received or signed any contract outlining the terms of business. All I have is some emails with an agent that now no longer works for that company.

I have requested the manager sends me the brochure she is referring to and the terms of business, but she has remained quiet.

I am new to this business of renting and would appreciate advice on how to deal with this situation and get rid of this agency.

Louiza


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Comments

Neil Patterson

8:38 AM, 7th March 2017, About 7 years ago

Hi Louiza,

As you have signed nothing and no proof of term and conditions can be supplied I cannot see how the agents can hold you to this, but I would find out what Redress scheme they belong to and lodge a complaint.

I would then recommend you try our partners at LettingSupermarket at 5% for full management >> https://www.property118.com/letting-supermarket-full-management/68829/

louisaa91@gmail.com

8:40 AM, 7th March 2017, About 7 years ago

Thank you so much for reply and link!

Gary Dully

8:50 AM, 7th March 2017, About 7 years ago

If you haven't signed for anything, you're on fairly safe ground.

Management company of what?
Is it the Freehold? - if so seek professional legal advice.

If it's just a letting agent sort of management, this is just a ploy to escalate their revenue and may be down to letting agent fees not being lawful at some point in the future.

In addition does the firm record its phone calls?
That's great, ask for the details of their Data Protection Officer and ask for a transcript of the phone conversation or email instruction allowing them to make such a term stick.

Next get another agent and see if they then sue.
If they have the audacity to try it, make a counterclaim on the County Court Pack, stating your defence.

I can't understand how you have a management company without a contract being signed.

Did you both spit on your palms and shake hands?

Are you sure you haven't signed for something?

None of my letting agents would let without a contract.

louisaa91@gmail.com

9:13 AM, 7th March 2017, About 7 years ago

All I have signed is an agreement for the agency to act on my behalf with procedures related to a full management (signing Lease Agreement, change of utility bills; etc.). It is a one page document that says nothing about management fees or procedure to end the agreement. All it states in this respect is this: " I agree that X can terminate thus agreement at the Company's discretion and/or by the Landlord provided a tenant has not been found".
The company has managed the property for 1.5 years now.

Rob Crawford

12:09 PM, 7th March 2017, About 7 years ago

I have recently signed up with Lettingsupermarket.com and handed six properties over to them to manage. Prior to this I exercised certain due diligence and can confirm that the AST they use is legally current and robust. There terms of business is well written with no traps. OK so adapting to a new agents way of working especially online maybe seen as a challenge but as so much is done online nowadays this was not an issue. One of the six properties was advertised and let very quickly and I am happy with the standard of documents provided. Having been a letting agent myself, I would not have taken this step without first checking for the usual pitfalls, I would not tolerate a stance as described by Louiza. All good especially the sharing of data / references etc. if requested.

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