Tenant wants to leave Letting Agent but stay with me in same bungalow

Tenant wants to leave Letting Agent but stay with me in same bungalow

12:38 PM, 18th April 2017, About 7 years ago 16

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I’ve just started with a Letting Agent and my new tenant, doesn’t want to stop with them. They were a bit terrible to them, not great with me, although Hats off to them, they did seem to locate a very good tenant, which did cost me £800 ouch.

Their small print (big company) says months rent + Vat £810 Ouch for me to leave  the Agent, but retain tenant.

The tenants know I’m good having had the tenant before there 12 years and I do think they will be there 10 years +.

So it is my great tenants that wish to pre-empt the move, they do not like the agent and are definitely leaving this house after their 6 months up. Now they’ve met me (had to because of problems), and my builders etc., They want to stay with me in the same bungalow, but they don’t want to deal with the agent. Lots of 20 year old kids running the show, and I just thought I was a Landlord before this debacle-I didn’t realise I was so good ha ha and experienced.

Please don’t anyone tell me I should be running them myself, I know all that, been doing it 20 years, one feels like he needs to do a few hours less a week.

Mick


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Comments

Mick Roberts

19:38 PM, 21st April 2017, About 7 years ago

It is in the main head office website terms and conditions and I did sign quickly their terms which I presume would say the same if landlord wishes to retain tenant, 1 months rent + vat is payable.

Yes, I can see me getting agents to choose me top quality tenant, run em for 6 months, then I take over. As the top tenants don't seem to bother us much do they.

That's a point, how long would this condition run for? What is deemed acceptable length?

Thank u Kate for agreeing to take this on ha ha.
Are u two related? No one is an S on the end.

Darlington Landlord

20:25 PM, 21st April 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Kate Mellor" at "21/04/2017 - 17:48":

If you do go down the let only/tenant find route beware that in my experience agents want to advertise your property at top price (to presumably make their more profitable managed properties more attractive) so set your own rents and double check the tenants referencing as the agent is only interested in finding a tenant so there is no motivation to do more than superficial checks.

Robert M

22:33 PM, 21st April 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Kate Mellor" at "21/04/2017 - 17:48":

Hi Kate

What is the problem with unending rent guarantor agreements, so long as it is clearly stated that the liability will continue until any debt is repaid? If they cannot be unending, then how long can they last for? (Presumably they are still subject to the Statute of Limitations Act anyway, so the enforceability ends 6 years after the end of the tenancy to which they apply?).

Mick Roberts

7:46 AM, 22nd April 2017, About 7 years ago

Yes I did think that. They might not choose a great tenant if they wasn't to be keeping them theirselves.

Kate Mellor

12:23 PM, 22nd April 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Robert Mellors" at "21/04/2017 - 22:33":

It was tested in court & found to be unfair for guarantor to sign a potential endless guarantee. I think I read about it on Tessa Shepersons Landlord Law Blog. The RLA do an excellent guarantor deed which is unending HOWEVER it does give the guarantor a process whereby they can choose to give notice to end it after a minimum time frame. That then makes it legally enforceable. That obviously does not mean they can walk away from any arrears incurred before the end of their notice period.

Kate Mellor

12:41 PM, 22nd April 2017, About 7 years ago

Reply to the comment left by "Mick Roberts" at "22/04/2017 - 07:46":

As with using any service you should shop around & negotiate. We use an agent on an intro only basis & we've negotiated a very good price. We do most of the work ourselves though, so the more they do the more you'll pay. We set guidelines as to the type of tenants we will or won't take for a particular property and we get an overview from the agent on the tenants position etc prior to them even applying for a property, then we get emailed a copy of the application form to review & we say yes or no to them being credit checked. At the moment the agent does a HomeLet credit reference for which they get paid by the applicant (the same as they do for all applicants regardless of whether or not they are full management) & we as the landlords are given copies of the application forms and reference check results. So it is possible for you to have a good idea as to what quality tenant you're getting. Don't be scared to say no.

Also you should have a good idea as to local rents for properties like yours through checking on Rightmove and then you can decide whether the rent the agent suggests is too high or low. If you aren't getting any viewings it's a sign of it being too high, so tell the agent to reduce it. They are acting for you so they'll take your instruction...

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