Are letting agents deliberately intimidating tenants?

[ByTaupePombear]

I’m genuinely starting to think some letting agents (and their managers) use underhand tactics just to intimidate tenants.

Things like:

-attaching themselves to repair visits that were originally booked with someone else
-phoning repeatedly instead of replying by email
-acting offended when you say you prefer written communication
-sending the same demand several times in slightly different words
-trying to turn repair visits into surprise inspections
-using pressure tactics to push through rent charges without proper notice

It all feels designed to put tenants on the back foot and make you feel like you have done something wrong even when you’re following the process properly.

Is this just my bad luck with one person or is this a wider pattern? Why do some agents behave like this instead of communicating clearly and professionally?

AIBU to think a lot of this is intimidation dressed up as “procedure?”

Yes, agreed. Not just you. I do think they judge because we're renters, and not buyers. I was in a Section 21 predicament, and luckily got a mortgage. The difference in letting agents attitudes has been remarkable. I have contacted the same ones as a buyer, that I did when I contacted them as a renter. Absolutely unbelievable difference. I'm sure someone will come along and stick up for Agents, but honestly OP, I agree wholeheartedly

I agree with everything you said.

Agents need to be kept in their place. They are a supplier of services and an employee, There are regulatory bodies you can report them too for unprofessional behaviour.

Yes it’s based on completely unbalanced power relations (landlords have it all, tenants have none, agencies showing that they are crucial to landlords in maintaining their power) and the continual demonstration of their lack of rights to tenants.

Half of them dont know the law anyway.

Lets say they failed to protect your deposit in time
Bullied and harassed you during an inspection (always have a phone on record)
Threatened you with eviction for insisting on having repairs done
Tried to charge you for things they are not entitled

Or other examples of maladministration.

Here is a way to gain power over the agent. Make a list of all the properties they rent out over a period. From that you have access (via the Land Registry website) to the names and addresses of all the landlords. In other words their client list. If they misbehave they would not want you posting it to all those clients and tenants. plus the review sites and the regulator. If you have some hold over them then they would probably piss themselves with fear that no one will want to do business with their shitty little company.