UK Landlord Forum / Life

I have just the one rental property which I use a lettings agent to manage. However, they are always late passing the rent on, nearly every month I have to chase them. Once I've chased they usual pay, but not this month. I've emailed asking for the rent or asking if there is a problem, I've not received a response. I also called and was promised a call back, I've heard nothing. I'm fed up with this agency but I want to keep the tenant. I renewed the tenancy agreement for 12 month in October.

Am I able to cease my association with this agency and keep the tenant. Any advice on how I should proceed with the agency would be welcome.

It sounds like it would depend on the contract you have with the Letting Agent. They should stipulate the manner in which they pay you and if they have broken the terms then you should first put it in writing to them and state that if they don't make payments as agreed they are in breach of the terms and you will get the tenant to pay you directly.

Thank you for advice. I'll check out my contact.

I had a similar situation a couple of years ago. The agency did the rent collection for me and charged me for this, of course. The rent was always a few days late as they had to process it. After ten months I gave them two months notice that I wanted to change from rent collection to introduction only. I discussed this by phone with them first and then put the notice in writing. I advised my tenant in writing that after the end of t.a date, she should change her bank standing order to pay me directly and gave her my bank details. The letting agent still issued a new tenancy agreement on my behalf at my request. Hope that helps.