UK Landlord Forum / Life

My contract with an agent and the tenant seems happy. I may terminate the contract with the agent as all they seem to do is arrange the odd tradesman ad I end up getting involved somehow each time anyway. I would be ok paying the fees, but what other difficulties would there be?

Getting the tenancy agreement changed
Transfer of deposit funds.

Others?

Probably ending the agreement will be the biggest immediate problem. Have a look for the terms relating to how the agreement can be terminated. Often they say the agreement can't be terminated while the tenancy exists.

The Agent often considers the Tenant theirs. They also consider any agreements / documentation their intellectual property. At the very least I suspect they'll want their palms crossed with silver. They'll likely kick up a fuss if you try to unilaterally terminate it... especially if they've not breached their agreement with you - you just think you can do the same, or a better, job. Only way to find out is to open up discussions... see what the lay of the land is.

Also, perversely, the Tenant might seem happy... but might not be so happy to see the Agent depart. There's a weird thing that comes up again and again when Tenants seem to think the Agent is on their side, and is there to fight their corner, against you. That is not how it works, the Agent works for you alone, but it still comes up time and again.

Many thanks.

I understand all I need to do is give notice to the agent and pay them he fees for the notice period.

Then, I score through the agent's name on the lease and send it to the tenant.

The agent may well have told the tenant that this will happen.

With commission I save I plan on-pass some of that to the tenant. so for example I can actually reduce the tenant's rent by 10% as an acknowledgement of the difference/as an appeasement to any concern they my have?

Why would you pass on any saving you make to the Tenant?

Surely you would be increasing the rent, as they're bound to be getting better service in future?

Quote from: EDINB on May 10, 2023, 04:07:59 PM
With commission I save I plan on-pass some of that to the tenant. so for example I can actually reduce the tenant's rent by 10% as an acknowledgement of the difference/as an appeasement to any concern they my have?

You are not treating this as a business. However, it is a business.

How does it make sense to get rid of the agent (paying for the privilege of doing so), and then giving 10% back to the tenant?

Do the maths.


Also...

QuoteThen, I score through the agent's name on the lease and send it to the tenant.

Wow! No.

Please get your business head on and do some homework. See for example: https://www.landlordforumproject.co.uk/landlord-advice-help/ending-management-agency-but-retaining-tenant/msg35852/#msg35852

You have suffered a rush of blood to the head.Go and lie down,do some deep breathing.When you feel calmer you will see that reducing the rent is a very daft idea indeed. 

Sorry, I didn't mean 10% of the rent.

I meant 10% of the agent's commission (£1000 rent - 10% of the £100 agent's commission, so new rent would be 990) as a token gesture in case the agent would be trying to undermine the value of the arrangement if they were not there. ie the other comment about agent's thinking the tenant was 'their tenant'.

QuotePlease get your business head on and do some homework. See for example: https://www.landlordforumproject.co.uk/landlord-advice-help/ending-management-agency-but-retaining-tenant/msg35852/#msg35852

Many thanks for this.

Quote from: EDINB on May 14, 2023, 04:55:29 AMI meant 10% of the agent's commission (£1000 rent - 10% of the £100 agent's commission, so new rent would be 990) as a token gesture in case the agent would be trying to undermine the value of the arrangement if they were not there. ie the other comment about agent's thinking the tenant was 'their tenant'.

Better to put it up by £10.

Or £30.

Yes, reflecting, that is the best answer.