UK Landlord Forum / Life

Hello all - is my 1st time on here, so forgive me if I don't use the correct lingo etc!

Basically we own a property in london which we have had a tenant who moved in in aug 2014, renewed in aug 2015 (during which time we tried unsuccessfully to get out of the renewal fee - 7% of the annual rent!)

Now we realise that we are in the wrong for signing up to the renewal fee in the 1st place, but I can only blame it on having a newborn & the sleep deprivation that goes with it!!

We were all set to write to the tenant in a week or so giving her 2 months notice that we would no longer be renting to her (as the agent has made it clear that while she is there, we will have to keep paying), but I have today received an email from her to the agent (ccing me in) stating 'following your letter, I inform you that I wish to renew my tenancy for another year'

Now we have had NO contact from the agent, which I think is very sneaky to not include us on the communication they have had with the tenant.

Without having to seek legal advice, has anyone had a similar experience & what did you do?

Thanks in advance!

Quote from: willjulia on June 07, 2016, 12:42:30 PMNow we have had NO contact from the agent, which I think is very sneaky to not include us on the communication they have had with the tenant.

The Agent is you. CCing everyone in on emails is only likely to cause confusion. You will need to get a good handle on your Agent. That is the crux of this.

For me, if you think there are better options for you, I would take the hit of losing the Tenant - I'm assuming it's not a done deal, you'd think you might need to sign something... is it a well-known dubious Agent?

Do you have a contract with the agent?

What does it say?

Hi guys, thanks for your replies.  L de A, yes we do have a contract..I will try & copy & paste the clause that relates to renewals..

Renewal commission will become due in respect of renewed tenancies & periodic tenancies that take effect at the end of the initial tenancy term or new agreements where the original tenant introduced by the agent remains in occupation.  Commission is payable to us at a rate of 10% plus vat of the total rent under the terms of that tenancy whether negotiated by us or not.  Even if we have not been asked by you to renegotiate with an existing tenant we wlll continue to hold the existing deposit and our renewals team are available to advise on the renewal of the tenancy agreement.

Hippogrif - not sure if they are a dubious one or not..they are just one of the big london ones & don't do much for the money they get! 

The agent has now emailed me today telling me that the tenant would like to renew & that they are proposing a rent increase of 1.2% which for London seems a bit low (is N1 & a central location).

Am considering taking a punt on one of the DIY online letting sites (not sure if I can mention names so won't!) - any experience of these? 

Basically it is set to cost us about £3k to renew with the agent, so very tempted to save this money even if it might mean a bit more work for me!

Thanks again!