UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello,
tenants moved in June 2012. The agent took 12 months commission up front. I want to keep the tenants who are also happy to stay. But I don't want to pay another 12 months commission up front to the letting agent when the contract renews in June 2013.

I would be happy to pay the commission on a month-by-month basis to the letting agent but they won't budge.

A second letting agent has suggested moving the contract to them and keeping the same tenants. The second agent would charge me the same commission on a monthly basis so I'd be happier to do this.

Of course this would pose lots of questions.

Firstly whether it's legal, or whether I could be sued by the 1st agent.

Whether I would need to do this without letting the 1st agent know.

How I would handle getting the deposit back etc,

Has anyone tried this before ?

thanks in advance
Bobster