Leaving letting agents/tenancy renewal

[Inastatus]

I posted this in chat but haven’t had any response so thought I’d try here instead.

I have recently decided to take over the management of my rental property and have given notice to the letting agents. I made it clear that I would be dealing with the tenancy renewal myself, however the renewal is due on 13th Sept and my notice period runs until 19th Sept. Can the agents insist on doing the renewal as it falls within the notice period?

I ask because I’ve just had this months rent in and it is £120 short which is how much the agents charge for renewals. I haven’t had any paperwork or correspondence from them about it so I don’t know if it’s just been taken automatically in error. I’ve emailed but had no reply. I’m going to phone later but thought I’d try and get some advice on here before I do.

thanks.

Yea I’d say they can. Have you read your contract with them or their terms of business from when you instructed them?

I might sound like a right knob here but, if you need to ask that, do you know what you are doing to keep yourself legal and compliant going forward?

Ok, thanks for that taco - sounds like you don’t know for certain though? I actually do have a legal background and am capable of keeping up with the legislation however this is a bit of a grey area I feel and I can’t find reference to this specific point it in my initial contract.

Could your tenants not go on a rolling contract so no renewal or additional admin

Thanks @hellsbells99 - this is something I’m considering.

If it is a standard AST it automatically defaults to a rolling and no renewal is required at all.

In my experience agents insisting a new lease is issued at the end of 12 months are just trying to make more money through doing it. Both parties have the same legal rights under rolling so it's completely unnecessary, unless the LL is trying to get tenants locked into another six months whereby they aren't able to give notice (a 12 month lease with a six month break clause).

Thanks @KievLoverTwo