Renting House - Mgt Agent taking the p**s?

[Twohootsandapumpkin]

Have been renting our house out for about 6 years now. In Feb this year the agent sold out and retired to another man. Since Feb we have had 4 months (out of 8!) where I have had to constantly chase rental payments! I have told this agent (who gets 10% fee) that I am not happy with this and he basically (in a nice way) needs to buck up his ideas. His excuses have been that bank details etc had to be changed with the new business, our tenant (a co let) had to sign new standing order and wasn't sorted properly etc etc.

The rent is due (and paid) on 28th of month. Last month it didn't hit our bank til 20th of the month AFTER! . I chased it up around 10th of month and then again around 14/15th. Am bit sick of getting fobbed off by this guy.

Have just checked the bank and it's not in yet this month yet either.

How long realistically should I have to wait after 28th month to receive my rent? He said up to 10th of month but that seems long to me. I can't remember what happened in the past with the old owner but then I never had a problem.....

I don't really want to lose the tenant as it is a good co let and I know they are paying the rent - it's this chump running the agency that is holding it up for reasons unbeknown to me . I'd be wary of giving him notice and then asking the tenant to 'move' to another agency as it may just make them jump ship.

What do you think pls? It's driving me mad and I don't need the stress or work (having to chase all the time) when I am meant to be paying someone to do it for me!

If the tenant's good, why not get in touch with him, offer him 5% off his rent if he'll pay you direct, and go back to agencies as and when that tenant leaves.

Oh I suppose that's probably breach of contract with the agent. Anyway, I would certainly be tempted to threaten something like this unless the new agent sorts his life out.

Is there anything in your contract with the agent about how soon after the rent is paid it gets passed on to you? If there is you can always contact the agent and point out that persistent delay could be considered a breach of contract on their side and you may consider dealing directly with your tenant in future. Your tenants may be reluctant to do this though as they agent could possibly persue them for rent even if they are paying you direct and I assume their contract states that they have to pay rent to the agent.

On the whole it's probably easier to just keep chasing and then find another agent when your tenants leave.

My mum had this problem with her letting/management agent, they were hopeless at sending her her rent, never resolved any problems, were full of excuses about everything so she changed companies and the new company just took on the existing tenants too. The tenants didn't mind at all, the new company did all the sorting out of the paperwork, contracts etc and it was pretty hassle free for everyone concerned.

Could you ask the teneats if they'd mind you changing agents? As long as you're not changing the rent or the terms of the let I doubt they'd worry. This guy seems a bit crap to me!

Thanks. I can't find my contract (how useless am I?) in fairness it was about 6-7 years ago and we've moved house twice since then so god knows where it is!

This tenant I think will be in there a while - been there 18 mths and I think probably another 2 years with his company let.

I don't think the company would deal with a private let i.e. direct to landlord tbh. Think they like the security of an agent - not that he's much use!

I could change agents and did contact a couple but right now it seems a lot of stress!

I just wondered if any of you used agents and how quickly you get the rent after the tenant pays it. I looked back on an old email yesterday and he quoted 10-15th month when I pulled him up about it - that seems a bloody long time after 28th of the previous month when it is paid to him

PS - Also I don't have contact details for tenants i.e. phone so would have to write to them which I could do I suppose.

I've got a house let through agents and they are pretty useless too. The rent ends up going in at all sorts of times, their excuse is that the tenants are usually late paying.

I agree that the length of time he is taking is far too long. But he is obviously waiting for the tennants cheque to clear before paying you. Although he might be being paid by Bacs. I'd go back and tell him you want paying in cash direct into your account and that it should be in the account no later than 5 days after rent day which is the 28th.

Hopefully you being paid in cash will speed things up as well so you aren't waiting for a cheque to clear as well.

Just a thought which is going to cause more hassle - changing agents now or having to chase this chap every month for heaven know's how many months to get your rent?

Good luck H x

I am really . Just got a very blase email from mgt co saying that "they are still having problems with getting the standing order sorted out", rent is on it's way though - was only paid on 28th of the month!!!!

I have got to get rid me thinks! I smell a rat. The guy is blaming the tenants (it's a company let) when in fact I think it's him!

I have to give 2 mths notice though