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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

choosing a letting agent

26 replies

Kaloki · 10/02/2010 14:22

Oh the property drama never ends here..

We viewed a property with Letting Agent 1, which we liked, but then found out bad things about 1 (a friend dealt with them previously and almost lost her house). Which was obviously really off putting.

We then discover that Letting Agent 2 (who is recommended by a friend) is also showing said property. So obviously we'd rather deal with the recommended agents, not the bad ones. Reasonable huh?

We haven't entered into a contract with 1, but refernces etc are already going through 2.

1 has just called and told us we have to go through them.

Do we not get a choice in this?

AIBU to not want to go through 1?

OP posts:
AKMD · 10/02/2010 14:27

You absolutely do not have to go through 1. TBH the fact that they are spouting this rubbish just confirms your friend's account of them. Stay well away!

Original poster
Kaloki · 10/02/2010 14:28

Trying to, 1 just called up and said "we've spoke to 2, they've realised it's a misunderstanding and are giving your references to us"

WTF?!

OP posts:
AKMD · 10/02/2010 14:31

Call 2 immediately and talk it through with them. If they have handed over your reference details, make a very big noise about it - that is personal information that they have no right to pass on without your express permission. However, if they have not done such a thing, make sure that they know that you are staying with them and that they are not to enter into any discussion about you with 1.

ImSoNotTelling · 10/02/2010 14:42

yes what AKMD said.

Let us know how you get on. 1 sound like a bunch of arses.

Original poster
Kaloki · 10/02/2010 15:18

Ok, we are sorted. We are going with letting agent 2

As long as nothing else goes wrong. It's been a hell of a week already (2 pets died and a crazy agent, got to be a record)

OP posts:
Fluffyone · 10/02/2010 15:22

Did Agent 2 actually give your references to Agent 1? If so, I'd be a bit bothered about them as well!! Data Protection Act anyone?

Original poster
Kaloki · 10/02/2010 15:25

No they didn't, agent 1 just said they did. Which is just making their case for us going with them weaker and weaker!

OP posts:
skybluewinking · 10/02/2010 15:29

Be careful, probably won't affect you, but the Landlord might be liable for 2 sets of fees in this case.
To be fair, much as agent 1 are annoying you are 'their applicant' ie they introduced the property to you. Could make the LL liable, and then unhappy with you?

Original poster
Kaloki · 10/02/2010 15:38

The LL has agreed to let us go through agent 2.

Even if we were shown the property by 1, we have no contract with them do we? And if it's whoever shows the property, could we just arrange a viewing with 2?

OP posts:
skybluewinking · 10/02/2010 15:43

No you don't have a contract with the agent, but the LL does. That contract will say something like: if they introduce a client who ends up taking the property they will be due a fee.
And to be fair to the 1st agent, they have done that.

Original poster
Kaloki · 10/02/2010 16:09

Ah ok, that makes sense.

We've just found out that he's threatened to go round our friend's house (the one who had the bad experience with him)!! And that he has a habit of stealing agent 2's clients. Obviously can give it but can't take it. What a lovely guy.

OP posts:
skybluewinking · 10/02/2010 16:11

I know, the type that gives agents a bad name!

givecarrotsachance · 10/02/2010 16:34

Go to the police (or tell you friend to). And tell the agent you've done so.

Don't allow threats like that to stand - that's absolutely horrific.

JaneS · 10/02/2010 17:25

Can I point out, you need no qualifications whatsoever to set up as a letting agent. Some of them are great, but some are terrible! I've dealt with some who actually had a less good grasp of the law than I do (and I know next to nothing). It's always worthwhile checking what they say (Citizens Advice are good on this).

Original poster
Kaloki · 10/02/2010 18:03

CAB agreed with us that 1 has no say on who we sign with, we were also told to contact the Property Ombudsman (they aren't registered with them) and ARLA (also not registered)

OP posts:
bluecheesefiend · 10/02/2010 22:34

Hello, as a former letting agent (don't hate me) Skybluewinking is absolutely right - the LL will owe commission to LA1 who facilitated the introduction, and if he lets you proceed with LA2, he'll also owe them money for the work that they do. So essentially it will cost the LL more. Not your problem at all, but it can backfire if he then gets in to a legal dispute with LA1 and takes it out on you by being stingy and uncooperative - I've seen that happen quite a lot. Sorry to be the bearer of potentially bad news.

junglistwaspoorendof · 10/02/2010 22:41

Oh that's really crap.

Original poster
Kaloki · 10/02/2010 23:10

Gah, wish us luck then. There's no way we'd go with LA1 even if he was the last letting agent on earth now, not after hearing how he treated our friend, and now us.

OP posts:
skybluewinking · 11/02/2010 10:10

Hi bluecheesefiend,
Is it compulsory for ex-lettings agents (don't hate me either!) to be blue? What does that say about our former occupation!

Quintessential12belowZero · 11/02/2010 10:13

Did you sign a tenancy agreement with 1?

Quintessential12belowZero · 11/02/2010 10:14

(as long as you are not green and yellow.....)

Original poster
Kaloki · 11/02/2010 11:58

No we didn't, no contract at all between us and LA1, not even a verbal contract

OP posts:
MrsC2010 · 11/02/2010 13:50

I can see the potential problem if you haven't been shown the property by LA2, as essentially they hadn't done any work to secure your rental...but LA1 had. I am not by any means saying that you should go with LA1, just that your LL may be in for some tough conversations with LL1...as you can understand their frustration to an extent as they did the initial work. Is there any way you can make out that you went for a viewing with LA2 as well, to see who you'd get on with best, therefore they also did the work too? Not an expert though TBH, I rent my flat out but have only ever used one agent.

Original poster
Kaloki · 11/02/2010 14:08

It seems to be ok now, LA1 kept calling us so we asked him to stop and told him that repeated calls would make us call the police.

We should be moving in next Friday

OP posts:
bluecheesefiend · 12/02/2010 20:20

Hi Blueskywinking - isn't that funny! I think blue was definitely appropriate for a while but thankfully it's a distant memory!

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