UK Landlord Forum / Life

We have rented a property in Scotland for over 4 years with a private letting agency, For the first 6 months we had a 6 month agreement and then this has been on a monthly basis. We have always paid our rent on time and met our rental obligations. As I don't work during the day I have often let tradesmen in and at times gone out of our way to assist with the property. We have a good relationship with the agent who always tells us how well we look after the property and that himself and the owner are very happy with us being there.

On Thursday evening he phoned us to propose a small rent increase which we agreed to and said the owner would like us to sign a new 6 month lease. As we are now in the process of looking for a home to buy I told him we would prefer to keep the contract on a monthly basis otherwise we could be left paying a new mortgage and also rent. He flannelled about advertising for new tenants as soon as we give notice however there isn't really an incentive if we have another 2 or 3 months to pay. He mentioned that a new contract would cover the Tenancy Deposit Scheme however he sent us letters about that in 2011 when it commenced.

He emailed me a copy of the new lease on Saturday morning and finished the email  with the line that if we do not sign within 7 days he will serve us with a notice to quit.  I am really shaken up about this and cannot believe that he would threaten us and force us to sign a contract that could leave us worse off. He has also sneaked in several new clauses including a 2 month notice period from us instead of 1 month and a demand that the property be professionally cleaned at the end of the lease. He omitted to tell us this in our conversation and also asked that we pay the increased rent from end of January despite not giving us 1 month's written notice.

I have been told there is no legal requirement for us to sign a new contract and it seems ludicrous to threaten us as no one is gaining from us leaving. It has been suggested we contact the owner directly but I am so upset that the trust and good relationship is gone. He is just the agent and I will not be bullied so would rather leave than be treated like this. We hope to purchase a new house but having to leave by a certain date would put a lot of pressure on us. We also have children and I hate unsettling them. What a mess. I feel stupid for ever being a tenant in the first place.

I would welcome any advice from landlords and tenants. Why now and why do this at all? Sorry if my comments are long winded.

Yours gratefully.

Just a follow up. Despite us corresponding with the agency and writing to the owner they served us with a notice to quit today. Via 2 burly sheriff officers. Totally unnecessary. Our young son was at home ill too. This seems more about because I/We can than common sense thinking. Can any Landlords explain? if you have good, long standing tenants that pay every month & care for your asset would you behave like this over a 6 month lease after over 4 years. Any ideas what the real reason could be.. Perhaps they wish to do major work? Why not just be honest.

On a separate issue the agent texted on Wednesday to request that I arrange a suitable time for a contractor to come. I did do this but have now told him to arrange it himself and be here to let them in giving us 24 hours written notice of access. We have always been fair about contractors and access at times going out of our way to help but after this treatment I'm not inclined to help. Can you confirm that I don't have to make these arrangements or let people in myself. He can give us 24 hours notice and do it himself.

Apologies that no-one has responded, it will be because you say you're in Scotland and I, certainly, and others likely do not know enough about the laws there.

Can I suggest you place the same thread on the LandlordZone forum? I'm sure nobody here would mind if it meant you would get some input. That forum has a section especially for questions relating to tenancies in Scotland and a few members who are located there themselves.