UK Landlord Forum / Life

What do you guys think of this? My agent signed me up for this at £30 per month without my approval. They say they sent a mailer to all their customers where they could opt out. I don't recall the email. Anyway I don't think it's legal or proper to do this without specific approval. What do you think? Thanks

It's not legal to make a new contract by default with an opt-out unless a previous agreement says it's allowed.

When I used agents for management I had something similar happen. I had a real battle to get them to refund my money and cancel the plan. It is a sly way of going about earning extra commission for themselves. Don' t stand for it. 

thanks guys. I managed to get them to cancel it this month but they're fighting me on a refund. We'll see.

They will fight a refund. That's already taken to revenue and profit, so it's a double whammy for them.

Wouldn't it just be simpler for all concerned if it was opt-in?

That alone tells me this is just an Agent 'agenting'... it's why the reputation of the industry is so low they'll never recover in my eyes. Think of how many of their Landlord customers have meekly accepted the charge. I should try something like this with my Tenants, some kind of spurious charge I'll introduce unless they opt-out (and, of course, I won't notify them of it - what a good plan, nothing can go wrong).

Oh, shucks, I don't have direct access to their money - the plan won't work.

Can you ask the company that provides the legal protection if it covers you suing the agent!!??

You did not contract, letter before action demanding refund, small claims court.

Quote from: Spiny Norman on February 19, 2025, 04:22:02 PMthanks guys. I managed to get them to cancel it this month but they're fighting me on a refund. We'll see.