Letting Agents Renewal fees
Submitted by Maroc on Sat, 12/03/2011 - 19:01
Hi
I put an advert in loot to rent my flat and put notice of No Agents in the ad, but it didn't stop them calling me and I explained that I dont agree with their renewal fees, but most of the agents that called me, agreed to not charge the renewal fees, I did use one of these companies and rented my property on let only contract, but tweleve months later they are back now looking for renewal fees and threatening legal action and appear to have complete amnesia about the agreement we had the year before, they did not send me the contract after the tenants were signed up despite me contacting them three times asking for the contract.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Simply ask for a copy of the
Simply ask for a copy of the Contract that you signed which contains the term relating to the agent charging renewal.
If they can't produce a signed contract they will not be able to force you to pay any renewal fees. If they threaten legal proceedings simply repeat your request for a copy of the contract that you signed. I can only think that they are trying it on.
I am a Legal Advisor employed by Sarginsons Law and specialise in Civil Litigation matters. I deal with disputes between individuals and businesses including Landlord and Tenant issues, debt recovery and property disputes.
Telephone 02476 553181<
Letting agents renewal fees
Thank you for your response Gerard
They did send me the contract after i reminded them about the agreement regarding no renewal fees we had and it shows my signature on the contract, but the only thing i signed at the initial meeting at the property with the agent was what he described is a keys release form and permission for them to enter my property and there was no mention of a contract at that point, The contract is sixteen pages long and there is no way i would sign a contract this size without reading it, so i feel there something very underhand at what they are doing.
harley
Hi Maroc, So the agents do
Hi Maroc,
So the agents do hold a signed Contract then? Although you don't know how they got your signature?
Even though there may be something underhand going on I do not think that you have to worry about paying their renewal fees. If you read the following post you will see that the courts have pretty much put a stop to this sort of practice:
http://www.thelawforum.co.uk/letting-agents-renewal-fees
If they persist point them in thedirection of the relevant case law, or even this forum, and politely inform them that you will not be paying them a penny.
I am a Legal Advisor employed by Sarginsons Law and specialise in Civil Litigation matters. I deal with disputes between individuals and businesses including Landlord and Tenant issues, debt recovery and property disputes.
Telephone 02476 553181<
Agents Renewal fees
Hi Gerard
Thank you for your response
your advice is greatly appreciated, I will post the outcome in due course
Regards
Maroc.
harley